Recently I spent a weekend in the Crown Height, Brooklyn – a Hasidic neighbourhood. As I walked to and from my friend’s apartment, I was surrounded by men in black suits, white shirts and hats or yarmulkes, and a few women in long skirts. Despite being a person of colour who is used to being …
Culture
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! If you’re Jewish, you know exactly what I’m talking about – Rosh Hashanah began last night at sundown. "Shanah Tovah!" If you’re not Jewish, or don’t have any close friends (or family) who are Jewish, it’s possible that you had no idea. Or, like me, no idea until yesterday. Which …
Maybe Canada is a melting pot afterall?
For as long as I can remember, we have used the word "mosaic" to describe the way people can keep their cultural beliefs and traditions when they come to Canada to live. This is in contrast to our neighbours to the south, who have been referred to as the "melting pot" - a place where you leave your …
The Ugly side of Diversity
It intrigues and saddens me to notice how often celebrations of diversity result in xenophobia.One of this year's Superbowl ads is a shining example of this.Coke ran an ad featuring the song America the Beautiful, sung in seven different languages and featuring a diversity of cultures and people. …
A Great Example of Inclusion
About a week ago I read part of an article in the newspaper (which I can no longer find, sadly) about a restaurant owner who had made the decision to serve Halal meat in his establishment. He is not Muslim. But there are members of the Islamic community who live in the area of his restaurant, and …
Considering the Canadian Census – part 1
The recent census data is out. I'm sitting on my living room floor with the newspaper spread out all around me. There is so much I want to write about, I think I will have to dedicate a few posts to this topic. For today, two first impressions to provide some food for thought: - It strikes me as …
Happy New Year!
No, I'm not 23 days late. Today is Chinese New Year - celebrated by about 1 in 7 people worldwide. So while 2012 began 23 days ago, it's wasn't the new year for everyone. Although the Gregorian calendar is used and recognized by people, businesses and schools around the world, and New Year's Eve …