This past weekend I caught a brief story on CBC news about how David Cameron is considering assistance from New York Police Commissioner and Los Angeles police chief Bill Bratton to help address the violence that has shaken cities in England this month.

Whether this partnership proceeds or not, or the merit of it, is not what struck me as I listened to the news. What caught my attention was the short clip of David Cameron, where he said that this was about "dealing with people that we have ignored for too long." That caught my attention.

Think about it: people who feel valued and acknolwedged, have enough to eat, have meaningful work, and feel a sense of agency and hope don't riot.

It was refreshing to hear the Prime Minister of a country recognize the impact of marginalization. It shows recognition and thoughtfulness about the existence and impact of systemic discrimination.

It's an important place to start. I hope that David Cameron can lead his party and country to look inward, and reach out to communities to hear their realities - in order to find the sources of marginalization and the systemic remedies that will help communities not only heal, but see and experience a brighter future where their cultural & ethnic origins, skin colour, or faith don't stack against them.

We could learn a thing or two here in Canada, just from his comment alone.

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copyright 2011 Annemarie Shrouder
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Two weeks ago, I assisted at a workshop called The Mastery of Self Expression.
One of the main themes of the workshop is connecting with others. At one point, Larry Gilman (the facilitator) spoke about how quickly we look away when we pass people on the street. 

The fact that few people say hello when they pass by each other in a big city like Toronto has always got me. But this was a new idea: to say hello and keep eye contact. This morning I tried it.

It's a grey day, I was returning home with my dog, and a woman was walking towards us. She looked tough, even a little mean (my assumptions), and seemed focused on getting where she was going. But I caught her eyes, said good morning, smiled, and stayed there.

And an amazing thing happened.

In the moment that our eyes met and held, she smiled back and her whole being transformed. The tough, mean exterior I had imagined vanished and for a split second, I saw her; the essence of who she is. It felt amazing.

Eye contact is not a sign of respect everywhere - or in a multicultural city like Toronto, for everyone - but where and when it is, I encourage you to try it. With strangers and colleagues and people you know well. You may be surprised by how little you actually do it. And even more surprised by what happens when you do.

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copyright 2011 Annemarie Shrouder
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Ethnic Costumes? 04/15/2011
 
So the Conservatives invited multicultural groups to come to a photo op in Ethnic Costumes!
Wow. I'm speechless...but not really.

Besides the flap about being used for political gain, the question on my mind is "Ethnic costumes? Really people? Are we still using words like this?!"

I would love to see the list of multicultural community groups the Conservative Party chose to send this email to. Who, in their opinion, would bring some "ethnic flair" to their photo op? And how ethnic would the costume have to be, to be considered the right "op" for the photo?

Smells like an  obvious attempt at appearing tolerant (I use the word on purpose) and embracing of multiculturalism during an election campaign to get more votes  - after cutting funding to settlement services!

So troubling...

Which brings me to another question:  Why do people have to dress up? Isn't it obvious we are in a multicultural country? If the word went out to community groups, and they just showed up in their everyday work clothes, wouldn't that make a point?

Oh Conservatives...it scares me that it seems you have so much to learn....still.

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(c) Annemarie Shrouder 2011

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I’ve been thinking a lot about “the holidays”. It’s nice to hear more and more people saying “happy holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” (this may change closer to the actual non-orthodox date). I like “happy holidays”  - it’s inclusive of Jewish people who have just finished celebrating Hanukkah, Black people who might be celebrating Kwanzaa, and Muslims who celebrated New Year earlier this month. Which is great. What it doesn’t do, is recognize those who are not celebrating this month. Diwali, for instance, happened in November this year. I doubt we were hearing “happy holidays” then.

So there are two things. The fact that not everyone is celebrating and that, when we get closer to Christmas, “Happy Holidays” often becomes “Merry Christmas”.

To the latter, I note the following: I don’t hear “Happy Eid” or “Happy Hanukkah” or Happy Diwali” expressed to everyone by Muslim, Jewish or Hindu people respectively while they are celebrating. But “Merry Christmas” seems to be sprinkled around liberally. What gives?  You might say it’s because Christmas is part of “Canadian Culture”. But what does that mean? What is now called Canada used to be populated exclusively by First Nations, Aboriginal and Inuit cultures. But Christmas is not from any of these traditions. What still seems to be accepted as Canadian culture is European culture - and for many years (until the 1960’s) immigration policies tried to keep it that way (and in some ways still do). So maybe Christmas was cultural after colonization and before Canada became so multicultural. But now?

Well, the word multicultural says it all, I think. So I think we need to start examining the assumptions we make about the Christmas celebrations.

Let me be clear – I’m not vetoing Christmas, suggesting it not be celebrated, or that people shouldn’t be merry about it. Not at all. I love Christmas! Plus the commercialism alone is hard to escape. But I think in an increasingly multicultural country (with people celebrating many different traditions) the lovely gesture of wishing everyone a “Merry Christmas” is missing the mark, and not recognizing what diversity actually is about.

Not everyone in Canada is celebrating Christmas. “Happy Holidays” addresses that. But what about the people not celebrating at all this month?

Of course I’m not suggesting you try to figure it out (assumptions are never a great way to go),  take a poll, ask before you offer (how awkward!), or that you quell your holiday joy. Here’s my solution to the conundrum: How about saying “Happy Holidays if you are celebrating”. Wishing someone a happy holiday is a great sentiment, and there is an out if it doesn’t apply. No nosey questions or second guessing required. It’s heartfelt and it’s a recognition of difference. It shows some awareness. If you’re celebrating, you’ll receive it. If you’re not – you’ll receive the acknolwedgment.

Four extra words to help further inclusion. Try it. See what happens. 

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(c) 2011 Building Equitable Environments