Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Cycling4Diversity tackles the growing concerns of ethnic sports teams.
Cycling4Diversity was created last year when I decided to form a team
to spread the message that we need not only speak about diversity, but
also take a closer look at whether we are celebrating or just talking
about it. The C4D initiative is about promoting intercultural dialogue
which is something I believe we have deviated away from within Canada
. Over the last several years, I have received feedback from readers
that show there are some growing issues which need to be addressed
within our neighbourhoods, workplaces and schools. As being an athlete
myself, I have been noticing many of our sporting teams are starting
to become more and more segregated where ethnic groups are forming
their own teams and leagues. Is this a bad thing or a good thing? In
my own personal opinion, this potentially could become a growing
concern for the future. As our communities become more multicultural,
the very components that we use to promote and celebrate diversity are
the same ones that are isolating us.
Many years ago, I was part of a South Asian soccer team and enjoyed
playing with them very much. A few years ago, a former member of the
Canadian National Soccer Team approached me and mentioned that South
Asians should be representing the town in which they reside and not
isolating themselves or having their own clubs. What he later
expressed, is that they are some of the most talented players within
our communities.
The issue with ethnic leagues or any form of ethnic clubs, is that it
limits our outreach in a multicultural society. Our focus should be on
more integrated teams and activities on and off the field which will
in turn strengthen our relationships in all sectors in how we live so
it doesn't become an "us vs them" situation.
Many people supported the concept of C4D last year. They were excited
about how we delivered a message in a unique way that captured the
imagination of many British Columbians. I was encouraged to do it
again this year and in the process the initiative has grown
tremendously. C4D is reflected by a team of individuals who believe in
the message of diversity, culture and the need to address issues
regarding racism. This year the team received 8 proclamations from
local governments and the province of British Columbia .
A number of students along the way asked, “How long have you all known
each other?” The riders responded that many of us only met the morning
of the ride. This proves that in order to work together to accomplish
something positive, people don‘t have to know one another.
Diversity is about working as a team, and I’m grateful that I had the
opportunity to work with such fine individuals who are passionate
about building a vibrant multicultural society. The support from local
service providers and sponsors were incredible. I was deeply moved to
see how many people believed in this important message that we were
honoured to carry throughout our communities. The C4D initiative is
committed in celebrating diversity and discussing issues throughout
the rest of the year: " Building bridges of dialogue, one city at a
time."
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Cycling4Diversity concludes at BC Legislature with Carole James
C4D ride was a shining example
The
second annual Cycling 4Diversity journey from Mission to Victoria has
been successfully completed. The C4D team left May 22 and arrived into
Victoria on May 25.
The four-day journey saw the team travel 200 km, visiting nine cities with 40 presentations relaying the message to thousands of people. The team was welcomed by students, government officials and the public during "Cycling 4Diversity Week" in British Columbia from May 20-26.
Cycling 4Diversity was created last year when I decided to form a team to spread the message that we need to not only speak about diversity but also take a look at whether we are celebrating it.
Over the last several years, I have received feedback from readers that show there are some growing issues that need to be addressed.
Many people supported the concept of C4D last year on how we delivered a message in a unique way that captured the imagination of many British Columbians.
I was encouraged to do it again this year and in the process the initiative has grown tremendously. C4D is reflected by a team of individuals who believe in the message of diversity, culture and the need to address issues regarding racism.
This year the team received eight proclamations from local governments and the province of British Columbia.
What's encouraging about the C4D story is that level of support was strong in all the communities we were welcomed in: Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria.
A number of students along the way asked, "How long have you all known each other?" The riders responded that many of us only met the morning of the ride.
This proves that in order to work together to accomplish something positive, people don't have to know one another.
There were seven core cyclists and many people who joined in on their bikes and supported the team in delivering the message.
The team that traveled to Victoria included: Abbotsford Deputy Police Chief Rick Lucy, Abbotsford City Coun. Bill MacGregor, Sukhi Dhami, Harpreet Singh and Raj Patara.
Kulwinder Singh Dhillon also joined our group of cyclists with his motorcycle, riding the entire way. We were a small team in numbers, but with a big, powerful message.
Diversity is about working as a team, and I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such fine individuals who are passionate about building a vibrant, multicultural society.
Sarina Di Martino Derksen, C4D executive coordinator, who worked extremely hard to make this second annual event a success, is already busy planning for the C4D ride next May.
Her vision and commitment took it to a new level and we're looking forward to next year. Di Martino Derksen said: "We only had a couple of short months to plan this entire ride and I'm thrilled with the success of it.
"The support from local service providers and sponsors were incredible. I was deeply moved to see how many people believed in this important message that we were honoured to carry throughout our communities."
Behind the scenes were our incredible camera crew, who consisted of Dwayne De Sousa, co-owner of Kapish New Media Inc., Sheldon Carvalho, Netzah Garcia, owner of Simply Silly Studios and Deesh Sekhon, owner of Deesh Photography.
The C4D initiative is committed to celebrating diversity and discussing related issues throughout the year, and to building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.
Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Times. Contact him at : kenherar@gmail.com.
The four-day journey saw the team travel 200 km, visiting nine cities with 40 presentations relaying the message to thousands of people. The team was welcomed by students, government officials and the public during "Cycling 4Diversity Week" in British Columbia from May 20-26.
Cycling 4Diversity was created last year when I decided to form a team to spread the message that we need to not only speak about diversity but also take a look at whether we are celebrating it.
Over the last several years, I have received feedback from readers that show there are some growing issues that need to be addressed.
Many people supported the concept of C4D last year on how we delivered a message in a unique way that captured the imagination of many British Columbians.
I was encouraged to do it again this year and in the process the initiative has grown tremendously. C4D is reflected by a team of individuals who believe in the message of diversity, culture and the need to address issues regarding racism.
This year the team received eight proclamations from local governments and the province of British Columbia.
What's encouraging about the C4D story is that level of support was strong in all the communities we were welcomed in: Mission, Abbotsford, Langley, Surrey, New Westminster, Burnaby, Vancouver, Richmond and Victoria.
A number of students along the way asked, "How long have you all known each other?" The riders responded that many of us only met the morning of the ride.
This proves that in order to work together to accomplish something positive, people don't have to know one another.
There were seven core cyclists and many people who joined in on their bikes and supported the team in delivering the message.
The team that traveled to Victoria included: Abbotsford Deputy Police Chief Rick Lucy, Abbotsford City Coun. Bill MacGregor, Sukhi Dhami, Harpreet Singh and Raj Patara.
Kulwinder Singh Dhillon also joined our group of cyclists with his motorcycle, riding the entire way. We were a small team in numbers, but with a big, powerful message.
Diversity is about working as a team, and I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such fine individuals who are passionate about building a vibrant, multicultural society.
Sarina Di Martino Derksen, C4D executive coordinator, who worked extremely hard to make this second annual event a success, is already busy planning for the C4D ride next May.
Her vision and commitment took it to a new level and we're looking forward to next year. Di Martino Derksen said: "We only had a couple of short months to plan this entire ride and I'm thrilled with the success of it.
"The support from local service providers and sponsors were incredible. I was deeply moved to see how many people believed in this important message that we were honoured to carry throughout our communities."
Behind the scenes were our incredible camera crew, who consisted of Dwayne De Sousa, co-owner of Kapish New Media Inc., Sheldon Carvalho, Netzah Garcia, owner of Simply Silly Studios and Deesh Sekhon, owner of Deesh Photography.
The C4D initiative is committed to celebrating diversity and discussing related issues throughout the year, and to building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.
Ken Herar is a freelance columnist with the Times. Contact him at : kenherar@gmail.com.
© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times
Friday, June 1, 2012
Cycling4Diversity comes to a close for 2012
Cycling4Diversity tour ends
The Cycling4Diversity tour, organized by Mission's Ken Herar and Sarina Di Martino Derksen ran last week, and both residents report their talk about cultural inclusion and welcoming others across the region was being well received.
Starting at Griner Park on Cherry Avenue with a tree replanting, the four-day journey took the group of riders to 40 stops in nine cities, including schools and community centres. The high-energy ride ended in Victoria at the Legislature, where the provincial government proclaimed a Cycling for Diversity week.
Herar and Di Martino Derksen noted there were lots of questions from students and good support from representatives in each city.
"We felt, as a team, that we were successful in delivering our message," said Herar, which was linked to this year's theme was building bridges of dialogue, one city at a time.
The trip highlight for Di Martino Derksen was "meeting with the children and seeing that they were getting the message."
In nearly every school, she continued, there was discussion around diversity actively being taught.
"[The students] are already living diversity and bringing it into their home."
For more information and trip photos, visit the team's Facebook page.
Cycling4Diversity being welcomed at Simon Fraser University (Surrey)
The Cycling4Diversity team will be rolling into Surrey City Centre tomorrow, Wednesday May 23rd at 1:30pm celebrating the United Nations proclaimed “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development”.
The Cycling4Diversity team will be making this stop at SFU, as one of more than 20 stops on a four day cycling trip through nine cities. The team’s mission is to raise awareness about Diversity issues in our communities.
This is an invitation to come out and cheer the team on, meet the riders and enjoy refreshments. Councilor Mary Martin from the City of Surrey will be the keynote speaker. The team will be here for approximately one hour. Please see attached invitation.
Please join Michelle Mackay, Retail & Community Relations Manager of Central City Mall, and Fraser Health Diversity Services in welcoming the team to our very diverse community. A reception will be held in the Dale B. Regehr Hall at Simon Fraser University from 1:30-2:30pm.
Help us celebrate Diversity, a core foundation of the community we live, work and go to school in. Please RSVP to susan.rink@fraserhealth.ca
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