Stereotypes, Soft Power & Tradition – on His Terms | Part 2: Challenging the Script

Stereotypes and the Soft Power of Subversion

Gurtej is no stranger to being misread. Sometimes he’s mistaken for an Uber Eats driver. Other times, people assume he's aggressive, or conversely, overly articulate – so articulate, in fact, that strangers have questioned his sexuality. These assumptions aren’t just offensive; they’re exhausting. But Gurtej has learned to navigate them with a mix of humor, resilience, and even strategic defiance.

“I’ve been told I’m ‘surprisingly articulate’ for a brown guy,” he says. “And at other times, I’ve had people clutch their bags tighter when I walk by.”

He’s aware that brown men in Vancouver, and in Canada more broadly, are often stereotyped as either aggressive or overlooked. But instead of shrinking from that, he sometimes leans in, flipping the script. Like the time someone cut in front of him in line and got confrontational, only to back down once Gurtej gave them a steady, unblinking stare. “I knew I wasn’t going to do anything, but the stereotype worked in my favor that time,” he laughs.

But not all stereotypes can be sidestepped with humor. In the workplace, Gurtej is the only male person of colour in his branch leadership team – surrounded by colleagues who all fall into a remarkably narrow demographic: liberal-leaning, Caucasian women aged 35 to 50. That kind of homogeneity means his contributions aren’t always received neutrally. Offering ideas or challenging the status quo can be interpreted as disruptive, instead of insightful.

He also highlights another stereotype that operates more quietly: the expectation that brown (or Asian) people are obedient, hardworking, and quietly efficient. While being disciplined and dependable aren’t bad qualities, they become limiting when those traits are the only ones allowed. The moment Gurtej steps outside of that script by offering a bold perspective or challenging the status quo, he risks being perceived as the "angry brown man."

This dual bind is one he continues to navigate, balancing his full presence with the way that presence gets filtered through bias.

Stereotypes don’t just show up in isolated moments – they  shape hiring, trust, and opportunity. Gurtej’s response isn’t to over explain or appease – it’s to continue showing up fully, offering both care and challenge. In doing so, he slowly chips away at the expectations placed on him, not with rage – but with presence.