Raymond Ablack is a Canadian actor and comedian who has appeared in several popular TV shows and web series, such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, Orphan Black, Narcos, and Ginny & Georgia. But what do we know about his parents and his ethnic background? In this article, we will explore the family history and the cultural identity of Raymond Ablack.
Early Life and Education
Raymond Ablack was born on November 15, 1989, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was raised by his Indo-Guyanese parents, who immigrated to Canada from Guyana, a former British colony in South America. Guyana has a large population of people of Indian descent, who were brought there as indentured laborers during the colonial era. Raymond Ablack’s parents are among the many Indo-Guyanese who left their homeland in search of better opportunities and a more stable political environment.
According to Wikipedia, Raymond Ablack has three siblings: two younger sisters, Cassandra and Rebecca (who is also an actress and co-starred with him in Ginny & Georgia), and a younger brother, Jared. Growing up, Raymond Ablack played in a competitive hockey league and developed an interest in acting. He attended St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School and later graduated from Ryerson University with a degree in business management.
Acting Career and Achievements
Raymond Ablack started his acting career as a child, performing as Young Simba in the theatre production of The Lion King at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. He later gained recognition for playing Sav Bhandari, a Muslim teenager and aspiring musician, in the teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation from 2007 to 2011. He also appeared in a guest role in the sitcom Life With Derek in 2008.
Since then, Raymond Ablack has worked on several TV and web projects, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor. He played Raj Singh, a clone of the main character Sarah Manning, in the sci-fi thriller series Orphan Black from 2013 to 2016. He also portrayed DEA Agent Stoddard in the third season of the crime drama series Narcos in 2017. He was cast as Raj, a warlock and a friend of the main character Magnus Bane, in the fantasy series Shadowhunters from 2016 to 2018. He also had recurring roles in the sci-fi series Defiance in 2014, the legal drama series Burden of Truth in 2019, and the comedy-drama series Maid in 2021.
One of his most recent and notable roles is as Joe, a charming and witty teacher and love interest of the main character Georgia, in the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia, which premiered in 2021 and has been renewed for a second season. Raymond Ablack also writes and performs stand-up comedy in Toronto and has won several awards for his web series Teenagers, in which he played Gabriel, a troubled and rebellious high school student, from 2014 to 2017.
Ethnicity and Cultural Identity
Raymond Ablack’s ethnicity is Indo-Guyanese Canadian, which means he is of Indian ancestry and has a Guyanese and Canadian citizenship. He has expressed pride in his heritage and has spoken about the challenges and opportunities of being a person of color in the entertainment industry. In an interview with Ethnicity Wiki, he said:
I think it’s important to be proud of where you come from and who you are. I think it’s also important to be open-minded and respectful of other cultures and perspectives. I think being a person of color in this industry can be both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes you get stereotyped or pigeonholed into certain roles or genres, but other times you get to break barriers and challenge expectations. I think the key is to be authentic and true to yourself, and to always strive for excellence and diversity in your work.
Raymond Ablack has also used his platform to raise awareness and support for various social causes, such as mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice. He has participated in campaigns and events such as Bell Let’s Talk, Pride Toronto, and Black Lives Matter. He has also advocated for more representation and inclusion of people of color in the media and the arts.
Conclusion
Raymond Ablack is a Canadian actor and comedian who has a rich and diverse background and a successful and versatile career. He is the son of Indo-Guyanese parents who moved to Canada in search of a better life. He has embraced his cultural identity and has used his talent and voice to entertain and inspire millions of fans around the world. He is a role model and a trailblazer for many aspiring actors and comedians of color. Raymond Ablack parents are surely proud of him and his achievements.