Making diversity an election issue

Making diversity an election issue

By Ken Herar, The Times October 27, 2011 2:09 AM

When people write or stop me on the street to share issues regarding diversity in our community, they're not telling me anything new that I haven't already discussed. I can distinguish the haters from the people who have genuine concerns.

Like I've said in the past, we all can do better and we all have the responsibility to be welcoming to one another regardless to our ethnicity.

I have to ask the people who constantly complain and take shots at those in the community trying to make a difference regarding diversity, what are you doing to make a difference?

We are currently in election season and I have not yet heard any of the local candidates addressing issues regarding intercultural barriers. This issue is as equally important as the taxation and P3 water discussions.

I read one candidate's profile in Mission say that we need diverse leadership on council to reflect our diversity. Fair enough. We want to promote cultural diversity, but at the same time we need to also understand that there is a growing separation.

There's nothing wrong with candidates addressing these issues - actually it's imperative. However, the term "diversity" should not be hijacked to suit one's political aspirations in running for council.

Cultural diversity needs leadership if we're going to continue to promote this as an important symbol. I encourage candidates in the following weeks ahead, to familiarize themselves with some of the issues on intercultural barriers.

In order to see progress, we need to be real and honest in our intentions. If we don't address these issues now or in decades to come, we're going to encounter distinctive barriers.

This is a perfect opportunity for all candidates, including South Asians running for public office this November, to bring this issue to the forefront.

I hear several comments being made that the reason diversity isn't working is due to the fact that the South Asian community are segregating themselves.

There is some truth to this and I have addressed this point from time to time.

But it also goes further than this. It's a multidimensional issue and there are many factors that co-exist with one another. It's not just one specific ethnic community's responsibility.

What I've learned is the success and longevity of cultural diversity depends on the strengths of our partnerships. An example of this took place recently when a working accord was signed between the Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association and the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.

Also, this week I received an invitation to a local fundraising event hosted by The Center for Epilepsy & Seizure Education. It will take place at The Rancho on Nov. 5. Organizer Flo Dohms expressed that she would like to see more representation of our diversity at the event.

The proceeds from the Mardi Gras celebration dinner and dance event will be used to send children to camp, support and education, along with the distribution of a children's book about epilepsy. For more info, call 1-866-Seizure.

- Ken Herar is a freelance columnist. Contact him at kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Presenting the Cycling4Diversity bike raffle winner with her prize. The 2011 journey is over, and a exciting 2012 is set to begin.

Cycling4Diversity trailblazer Ken Herar with Amber Zurowski (left) winner of bike raffle, and Diane Delves, CEO and president of Quantum Properties, representing partners of Quantum Properties Brooklyn, who donated $500 to the cause.

Thanks to Diane Delves of Quantum Properties for your wonderful contribution towards our bike raffle

Overcoming 'intercultural barriers'

By Ken Herar, For The Times October 12, 2011

There has been a new development regarding the bike raffle that was drawn two weeks ago.

Winner Amber Zurowski of Abbotsford was thrilled to win the Cycling4Diversity bike, which I had the pleasure of riding to Victoria.

A few days after notifying Zurowski, she expressed to me that no one in her family rides a bike and would like to give it back to the Cycling4Diversity team for next May's trek.

She called Sarina Derksen, who was announced last week by the team to be the executive coordinator of the Cycling4Diversity ride in 2012. For a reduced price, Derksen recommended to me that we purchase the Devinci Oslo Hybrid bike from Zurowski for next year's ride and the years to follow.

Derksen said: "As the message of diversity is spreading throughout our communities, the response has been encouraging, therefore, we expect an even greater turnout for next year's ride."

The Cycling4Diversity team is thankful for the contribution made by Diane Delves of Quantum Properties, which made this all possible.

As I continue to express, the best way to overcome intercultural barriers is by encouraging people to become active in their communities. Programs are a wonderful way of initiating discussions.

Instead of placing blame, we all need to do better and include people from different cultures into our lives.

The success of diversity depends on our willingness to accept that there may be some differences, but also to work together for a common future. The Go-Ahead Power Project is an example of how we can develop relationships with new immigrant youth from ages 11-17. The program is funded by Coast Capital Savings and in partnership with Abbotsford Community Services.

The program's goals are to provide a sense of belonging and involvement in bridging cultural gaps.

Illana Boychuk said: "The project was also to implement change in their own lives by community involvement, opportunities and resources."

Another great local program that is building on international friendships is between the African nation of Namibia and the City of Abbotsford.

Since 2007, the Abbotsford Police Department has been involved in a police exchange program with the Windhoek City Police to assist it with its development as a new city police department.

Windhoek, which is the capital city of Namibia, decided to establish the country's first city police department beginning in 2006. Abbotsford Deputy Police Chief, Rick Lucy said: "There have been five exchanges focusing on a variety of areas. This sixth exchange, happening this week, will see three officers from their records section coming here to explore our records management system (PRIME), crime analysis, CompStat, and crime mapping."

There's a lot of positive activities that are occurring in our communities and I encourage people to get involved.

- Ken Herar is a freelance columnist. Contact him at: kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Surfing the net, this is what I discovered. Urging me to run for political office .

Letter to the editor:

Re: The CRMG's challenge to city council:

I couldn't help but smile when I received this national enquirer type tabloid the CRMG has dubbed "The Mission Messenger".
Laughable are the fact that the CRMG is simply using people's anger as an opportunity to seize power from an already lame council. They expose much problems but offer little solutions.
What most of the voters don't know is who is pulling the strings of the CRMG like the puppets masters that they are.
Ron Taylor was a former councilor of the city and Randy Hawes was a former mayor, he is now the current Liberal MLA.
Although some see a conflict of interest, the question I ask myself is: Does this election need to turn like there in 6 on one side and half a dozen on the other? Let's not be naive, Mr Taylor and Mr Hawes are good people at the core but why believe that the same people putting the current council in power, will replace them with something better? They won't! Where are the real people that make a difference? The Ken Herar (journalist), Rhett Nicholson(Mission Fest) Arnold Muir(outspoken critic), Karen Wootten (Folk Festival) and more...
The same mentality that got us into trouble will not get us out of it, this is what the CRMG is really offering; more of the same.

Kevin Francis
My Mission

Endorsing Rina Gill & Preet Gill for local government in November 2011..

Supporting Rina Gill for Surrey City Hall:
I've known Rina Gill for approximately 5 years. I have worked with Rina on several community projects during this time. Rina is someone who has enormous passion and vibrancy. She has always been consistent in demonstrating leadership, commitment and dedication in making her community better and safer. The most recent being the "Cycling for Diversity" our team completed last May to Victoria. Rina, was a valuable member of this team and organized a vibrant community celebration for us in Surrey. The citizens of Surrey would be extremely fortunate to have an individual such as Rina on local government. Her love for community, along with vision and energy, is second to none. She is someone who is always striving to make a difference in the lives of others. Rina has the personal and professional qualities that would position her well to be a valuable member of Surrey City Council.

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Supporting Preet Rai for Abbotsford School Board:
I've known Preet Rai for approximately 6 years. I have always found him to be passionate, hardworking, dedicated and someone who cares and is committed to local issues. He understands the value of education in our school system and what is required to make our environment successful and inclusive. Preet, brings a sense of cultural understanding in our diverse community, which is imperative today. He has earned the respect of the school board with his vision, along with the citizens of Abbotsford over the past 3 years. He deserves to be re-elected, and I endorse him in his campaign.

Ken Herar
Abbotsford Times Columnist
Founder, Cycling for Diversity

Cycling 4 Diversity tree vandalized at Griner Park in Mission. Disappointing.

Diversity tree damaged and turban talk returns

The Cycling for Diversity tree that was planted at Griner Park in Mission on the morning of May 18th, was unfortunately damaged by vandals. The Ginko Biloba, is an evergreen native to China, which has potential medicinal properties and a shade tree. When the District of Mission notified me a few weeks ago I had just driven past the park a few hours before and looked over at my friend and said: Where’s the tree? I thought maybe the District moved it to different location within the park. When I received the call, they told me vandals pulled the tree out of the ground and laid it on its side with its roots sticking out. We’re all shocked someone would do such a thing. I had a chance to visit the tree and its being closely monitored by a tree specialist. What we’ve been told is that the diversity tree will rise again very soon. I am not jumping to any conclusions as to why someone would do this cowardly act, but rather remaining committed to our message of building an inclusive environment. People, who decide to destroy our symbols of cultural diversity will not succeed.
Getting back to my August 18th column (Keep turban queries respectful) this was my exact message that I was trying to deliver. If you can’t respect our cultural differences in our communities, they’re other options you may want to consider. This column was not about the various colors of turbans, but more on how we interact honestly with each other on cultural issues. When I said in my column: “If you don’t like the ethnicity in our local community, consider relocating.” Please, let me elaborate for a moment. In my 16 and a bit years as a columnist, I have met some amazing supporters of cultural diversity and yet on the other hand I met some vocal haters. Everyone’s thoughts and opinions are welcomed. But, what I’ve learned through my experiences is that often the haters cannot be reasoned with. If they are not willing to deal with they’re underlying cultural issues and are unhappy in their current communities and can’t function as a whole then, maybe they should consider relocating. There is nothing wrong or hurtful suggesting such a move. For example, many years ago, I went to a North Vancouver gas station and later spoke with an attendant. He told me in our brief discussion he used to live out in Abbotsford. He shared that he and his family were being isolated by some of the cultural differences in area and for the children’s future they had to relocate. He was being polite and genuine in his concerns. This is my very point. If you don’t like where you live, instead of becoming hateful and abusive, take this example as something you should consider.
To add to this discussion, I took all my emails I've received up to date and shared them with a local friend. Only a few eyes have seen these responses. Sarina Derksen of Abbotsford, who shares an interest on diversity discussions took the time to read the hundreds of emails I have saved. She said: “I was touched by the number of people who took the time to reach out, share personal stories and thank Ken for his tireless commitment regarding the important topic of diversity. At the same time, I was shocked and saddened by some of the most vile and disturbing emails that I have ever read. I would have never imagined someone writing such angry comments to another individual regarding a matter that is intended to unite rather than divide.”

It is troubling to see how hateful individuals are when hiding behind a keyboard. It is obvious there is still much work to be done in the area of diversity. We must continue to encourage honest, thoughtful dialogue within our communities, said Derksen.

- Ken Herar is a freelance columnist. Contact him at kenherar@gmail.com.

© Copyright (c) Abbotsford Times

Selling tickets for the "Cycling for Diversity" bike raffle in front of the Abbotsford Safeway store