Romar Muir is a Jamaican-born Canadian Psychoanalyst and a former Psychology lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI). Romar has a giving personality and is willing to help others whenever he can. He is an outdoorsy man, and when he isn’t gaming or watching anime, he’s at the beach, longboarding or snowboarding. As with every other Jamaican migrant, Romar misses the Jamaican food and beaches. However, he is impressed with the luxury of the Canadian social system. As for his professional choice, he believes Psychology chose him. Romar was initially interested in law as a field of study and started taking Psychology courses with the intention of moving to the UWI Law Faculty. Nonetheless, since answering psychology’s call, he hasn’t looked back.
Working in a Caucasian-dominated society, Romar has been fortunate to avoid experiencing direct and aggressive racial discrimination. He shares, however, that there have been instances where locals have attempted to intimidate him because of his Afro-Caribbean background. There are often questions surrounding his ability to function in his capacity as a Psychoanalyst on an account of his background. He finds, however, that maintaining his professionalism and confidence in his self-worth has proved useful.
He discloses, “I have a very strong self-identity. I know who I am. I’m pretty sure of myself, so no other race can make me feel like I’m less than or not sufficient.” The result? Locals who are initially abrasive leave feeling happy to have met an Afro-Caribbean. Going forward, they are more open to meeting other immigrants and are less skeptical about their capacity to perform.
In light of this, Romar notes that education and self-confidence are very important in promoting equality and mutual respect in the workplace. In the city of Ottowa where he lives, the black population is smaller than in other cities. As a result, locals are unsure of what to expect and become defensive. This takes the shape of biases and discrimination. As they become more exposed and educated, the instances of expressed biases are reduced.
Romar lauds the Canadian social systems that protect the employee from unlawful and inhumane separation from their livelihoods and sustain them while they move between jobs. It was rather intriguing to learn that a small sum is taken from a Canadian’s salary each month and given back to the individual while they are unemployed. This sustains them until they’re able to find another job. Additionally, should they be diagnosed with a psychological or medical issue that prevents them from continuing to function in a capacity, a medical certificate buffers them against demotions and pay cuts. The only pitfall of this system, Romar explains, is that many of the poorer class and immigrants who need this support are unaware of its existence. This, he notes, is similar to the situation in which many Jamaicans find themselves.
Romar continues that often Jamaicans are uneducated about their rights and the social systems available for their protection and support in the workplace. He adds that Jamaicans are often financially insecure and engulfed in a survival mindset. So, Jamaican citizens are meeker and less willing to confront systems and superiors in the workplace to ask for their due. This issue, he continues, is compounded by the remnants of the system of slavery where Jamaicans have been socialized to accept whatever is handed to them.
In acknowledging the importance of boundaries in the workplace, Romar believes there should be mutual respect for space and time between employers and employees. It is important to respectfully negotiate the terms of work with an employer in order to prevent burnout and maintain a good work-life balance. He agrees that sometimes, boundaries may need to be renegotiated, but believes it is important that you stand by negotiated boundaries. This helps to protect life interests outside of the workplace. For those of us who have a harder time maintaining set boundaries, Romar recommends rationalizing and revisiting the importance of maintaining set boundaries. He communicates that it is also important to remember that you’re a human being with goals and interests just like your boss.
In closing, Romar shares that he believes that the key to bringing about a true change among Jamaicans will begin with educating ourselves and our children about our rights, recognizing our self-worth, and instilling and embracing self-respect. He also believes that Jamaica also needs social services that cater to the poorest members of society. This is with the intention of helping to provide for people’s basic needs. He expounds that a person in survival mode will more readily accept mistreatment if it means they’ll survive.
As we part, Romar encourages those working in inhumane jobs to remember that this is not the end of the road.
“It is the means to an end, but not the end,” he reminds.
“The reality is we live in a capitalistic world where conscience and morality isn’t always used when dealing with persons. When this is the case human rights are violated at the expense of making a quick buck. It’s firstly about educating yourself [about your rights]. Self-development. Education is the key. [Know] what is your value. Then be realistic with your situation in life, put in the work, [and] make plans to achieve whatever goals you’ve planned to.”
