Helene
Our discussions made me realize what role we have as individuals in creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive to people of all cultures. In these spaces, not only should people be able to retain their cultural identities, but they should also feel accepted and valued for who they are. During the conversations, I have identified three key components that are effective in achieving this objective.
First, we have to be comfortable with confronting uncomfortable topics. We need to acknowledge the barriers that prevent cultural communities from feeling like they belong. These barriers include racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, microaggressions, etc. Without a full understanding of the roots of the problem, we are unable to adequately address and overcome them.
Likewise, we also need to recognize the power and privilege that some groups hold over others. Secondly, we must be respectful towards different cultures. From our conversations, I learned that different cultures have values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that contradict our own. However, we should not act like our own culture is superior. All cultures deserve to be treated with equal dignity and respect. We can be respectful by being accountable if we make culturally insensitive mistakes and appreciating the insights other cultures have to offer.
Lastly, we need to be proactive when we engage with other cultures. So, we should make the effort and invest the time to educate ourselves on their unique values, traditions, and beliefs. Likewise, these sources should not derive from inaccurate portrayals or stereotypes, they must be representative and reflective of the culture and their people.
Overall, we should work towards building deep relationships with people from different cultures. It is not simply enough to recognize the existence of different cultures, we should try to establish relations with them too. Plus, We can learn new things from other people and develop a better understanding of the world. To conclude, these key components should be applied to the wider Canadian society. If Canada truly wants to live up to its image as a multicultural society or ‘mosaic’, then its citizens should consider these practices.
Helene Pham, HR 261, Human Rights & Diversity, Brantford