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This is an interesting issue. Or set of issues.
Cultural differences and misunderstandings, even within such a diverse country as Canada, are part of the reason for this. There are many questions that people are afraid to ask, and also, many answers that peeps are fearful of handing out... there is so much sensitivity and caution that it leads to a stopgate on the flow of information and learning more about each other to be more accepting.
Jokes are jokes but there is a lot of closet drama and masks that people put on -- whether it is a deliberately conscious effort to be ignorant or the aforementioned fear that sets someone back from making friends with someone else of a different background.
I do not much relate to Chinese culture, or some human social traditions in general. This is because I am autistic and my mindset perceives things very differently than most. When I grew up, I thought everyone thought like me, but I have since learned different-ly. However, I am still very curious and I see good in many cultures, as well as bad -- for example, I frown upon the traditional Chinese subjugation and abuse of women. But a sense of honor is something I relate to, as well as a bow/handshake and keeping your word instead of constantly giving in to b.s. In North American culture, freedom of expression and idea interchange is accepted openly, but this also leads to a high noise-to-signal ratio. So the coin's always got a flipside.
I see a lot of absurdity, it's ridiculous -- not even among ethnic cultures but musical cultures. For example, you have the classical music snobs who are xenophobic and refuse to listen to the modern world of electronic sonics. And you have the drum 'n' bass elitists who hate all trance (despite never having listened to even a fair fraction of it), and vice-versa.
There is too much of an invisible pretense built up around the false premise of assumptions like these and a lot of prejudice. It will likely always exist to some degree, but I leave it to the individual's choice to be well-informed and learn what exactly is out there. Each person makes these choices for herself or himself and life goes on being lived. Don't cave into pressure if you're doing what is truely right for you! 
As for this beach volleyball club, it's unusual enough to have a news story appear about it. Has this happened yet?
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Hi, my name's Torley. I'm here at TA to learn, share, and have fun!
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