Sir

As a Chinese graduate student studying in Canada, I often hear stories that reflect your News Feature “Taking a stand” (Nature 438, 278–279; 2005), about my Asian colleagues feeling mistreated by their lab-mates.

The Ontario Human Rights Code states that “individuals have the right to equal opportunities in the workplace and to an educational environment free of harassment because of colour, age, sex, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religion and handicap”. The United States has a similar law. I would like to think that mistreatment of the Chinese workforce in North American graduate schools is minimal at most, yet I fear that this is not a realistic hope.

Although I currently work in a friendly and cooperative lab and feel fortunate to have helpful and supportive co-workers, my comfort does not mean that discrimination does not exist elsewhere.

A number of my Chinese friends in North America, including one senior postdoc, have, in my opinion, been discriminated against. Unfortunately, a traditional Chinese upbringing encourages passive and nonverbal avoidance of conflict. Furthermore, competition in lab research is fierce, particularly in the United States, so anyone with an obvious weakness such as a language barrier or cultural difference is more likely to be taken advantage of.

To fight for equality in the workplace, one needs to be socially adaptable, and must voice concern if equal rights are being violated.