Building an Inclusive. Diverse Community

Ideas for making area more inclusive
Ken Herar, Special to the Times
Published: Friday, October 16, 2009
Who says diversity isn't working here? Where else can you go and eat Thanksgiving turkey and Diwali sweets all in the period of a week?
I don't know about you, but I am completely stuffed. Food breaks down cross-cultural barriers and builds a common bond of friendship and unity.
I was extremely impressed with the Food Bank bin inside a local store during the long weekend. It was completely full with donations of kindness. We all have to eat to enjoy the fruits of life.
There are officially two weeks remaining for our Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community essay celebration.
The submissions are coming in fast and the score is currently tied between Abbotsford and Mission. We are heading into the proverbial third period and snipers need to get off the sidelines and show their worthy talents.
Both communities have the same number of submissions. The losing mayor will be at the mercy of the winning mayor's wishes. It could get interesting. Stay tuned.
Last year, Mission took the top three spots and the honourable mention went to Abbotsford. The question again is: "What have you done or what can you do to make our community more inclusive?"
To enter, you must be between the ages of 14 to 26 and reside in Abbotsford or Mission. All response must be 300 words or less. Responses should be e-mailed to me at Kenherar@gmail.com or dropped off at the Times office (30887 Peardonville Rd., Abbotsford).
There is no right or wrong answer and everyone who participates is a winner.
What the six judges are looking for is clear and concise responses. They don't need to be complicated, but personal stories usually score better in the final analysis. I know college students are in mid-term mode and high school students are swamped with homework. The invitation remains open despite your heavy burden.
If you have writer's block here are a few suggestions to building an inclusive community:
- B.C. has nine statutory holidays during the calendar year. In reviewing these days, has the time arrived for more balanced diverse celebrations from other cultures and religions as national or provincial holidays in Canada?
It would be an opportunity for all Canadians to gain further insight and appreciation acknowledging different celebrations. Diwali would be a fantastic holiday here.
- The Indo-Canadian community needs to break away from the traditional caste system that still exists. It is commonly practised in South Asian marriages and a clear form of active discrimination.
What's mind-boggling is Sikh families in Canada practise it more than they do in India. Sikhism was born with a universal gift of equality and a non-discriminatory message for humanity.
- Is it appropriate to give someone a compliment? The other day someone gave me a positive remark on a recent column. Their friend said: "Why, did you do that?"
Secondly, someone recently shared with me they are moving out of Abbotsford because there are "too many East Indians." What ignorance. To build an inclusive model we need to share in respectful and meaningful conversations.
Reading your local community newspapers is valuable because it directly impacts you.
I am amazed how many people don't read the newspaper at their doorstep. Take a few minutes and discover what's happening in our community by reading the Times twice a week.
- We need members in our community to become involved and volunteer, or join local organizations. Philanthropy of time is crucial in the development of community.
- Phone your local SPCA and adopt a pet. They are thousand of animals who need homes.
- Award-winning columnist Ken (Kulwinder) Herar writes for the Abbotsford-Mission Times. E-mail him at Kenherar@gmail.com.