Flipping through old articles. I came across this interesting piece by a young girl named Hailey Connor from Mouat Secondary. She finished in first place with her response in the Abbotsford Times 2010 essay question:" How can we build an inclusive, diverse community." Her response was fantastic and I will be sharing some of her brilliant ideas on the upcoming Cycling4Diversity ride. I remember when I told her she had won; she responded that she had been waiting by the phone for days to see if I would call . I have never forgotten that. She sums it up perfectly and how we need to be more inclusive. Thank you Hailey.
First Place - Youth Category: Hailey Conner, Abbotsford
We
live in an apparently multicultural society; a closer look will tell
you that our community may be more aptly described as geographically
divided.
Our multicultural groups tend to exist beside each other and often need not interact to go about their daily lives. This is reflected in the fact that there are defined areas which provide stores, restaurants and religious locations specific to one culture. This division, although convenient, also serves as a barrier between different cultures in our community communicating, living and learning together.
I think that this geographical division is the key to the solution to increasing multiculturalism in our community. In fact, there are several things that we can do to create a more multicultural society. In addition to having spaces where people of different cultures can be in the same place at the same time, we also need to provide reasons and create a willingness to do so.
How do we begin this process? We need to continue our efforts at increasing people's awareness and understanding of cultures other than their own. We understandably fear what we do not know so understanding more about other cultures may increase people's willingness to connect with those around us of different cultures.
The last and final thing we need is space. If we don't have anywhere to meet, wanting to meet and having a reason to meet are pointless. We could create or better utilize community spaces where members of different cultural groups are able to interact.
We already have places like this, but I believe that we need to have more of them and we need to make them more accessible to diverse groups. We need to find somewhere that people feel comfortable and more importantly like to go. We need to convince people that meeting, interacting and spending time with other cultures is worth the effort.
- - -
OUR JUDGES
Rick Rake is an intrepid Abbotsford writer and editor who works with Click Media Works (www.rickrake.com). He is an active volunteer who now engages community through social media. The father of three has championed diversity issues for years.
Summer Dhillon's dynamic personality and contagious energy contributes to a low boredom threshold. Her primary passion is her role as one of Vancouver's top public relations professionals, specializing in branding strategies, guerilla marketing, media relations and event management.
Charn Kingra is currently employed as a member of the Abbotsford Police Department and serving in the Patrol Section. Charn has completed his doctorate degree and is also a faculty member with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley.
Our multicultural groups tend to exist beside each other and often need not interact to go about their daily lives. This is reflected in the fact that there are defined areas which provide stores, restaurants and religious locations specific to one culture. This division, although convenient, also serves as a barrier between different cultures in our community communicating, living and learning together.
I think that this geographical division is the key to the solution to increasing multiculturalism in our community. In fact, there are several things that we can do to create a more multicultural society. In addition to having spaces where people of different cultures can be in the same place at the same time, we also need to provide reasons and create a willingness to do so.
How do we begin this process? We need to continue our efforts at increasing people's awareness and understanding of cultures other than their own. We understandably fear what we do not know so understanding more about other cultures may increase people's willingness to connect with those around us of different cultures.
The last and final thing we need is space. If we don't have anywhere to meet, wanting to meet and having a reason to meet are pointless. We could create or better utilize community spaces where members of different cultural groups are able to interact.
We already have places like this, but I believe that we need to have more of them and we need to make them more accessible to diverse groups. We need to find somewhere that people feel comfortable and more importantly like to go. We need to convince people that meeting, interacting and spending time with other cultures is worth the effort.
- - -
OUR JUDGES
Rick Rake is an intrepid Abbotsford writer and editor who works with Click Media Works (www.rickrake.com). He is an active volunteer who now engages community through social media. The father of three has championed diversity issues for years.
Summer Dhillon's dynamic personality and contagious energy contributes to a low boredom threshold. Her primary passion is her role as one of Vancouver's top public relations professionals, specializing in branding strategies, guerilla marketing, media relations and event management.
Charn Kingra is currently employed as a member of the Abbotsford Police Department and serving in the Patrol Section. Charn has completed his doctorate degree and is also a faculty member with the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley.
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