In Manila I, because I was white, was allowed to wander past security and customs and back again without anyone checking my ticket or passport. I literally walked AROUND the metal detectors. The security just said “Hi ma’am.”

When I left Canada for England 17 years ago to live with my then boyfriend I ended up on a Toronto-London flight that was about 80% filled with Indian (from India) passengers. And when we arrived at Heathrow we all had to go through passport control. There I was with my luggage trolley piled so high I could barely see over the rather large portable stereo perched on top. So you know, I wasn’t exactly looking like your typical tourist. But when they asked me if I had anything to declare and I smiled and said ‘Nope!’ they just waved me through … down a long aisle with tables on either side upon which most of my erstwhile fellow passengers had their suitcases opened, with all the contents being thoroughly searched.

I mean, sure it was great not to have to get all my stuff rifled through, but I was actually quite appalled that this very blatant show of racism. Just to say that if you look ‘white enough’ then probably lots of rules get bent in your favour.

Meanwhile, I doubt anybody in Winnipeg would ever mistake me for ‘white’.