Post# 10- Reflection

The end and the start...

Now that my Communicating Diversity class has come to an end it is time to not only celebrate my summer, but also to celebrate all that I have learned, and take it with me on my journey through life!

I feel very fortunate to have a class available to me that explores diversity so deeply. Diversity within race, ethnicity, masculinities and femininities, love, class and social status, religion and the combinations of all of these within Canada and the globe.

With the teachings of Dr. Teresa Pierce, and readings of scholar Brenda Allen, I believe that my mind has been opened in a broader perspective. Although I knew differences are important, I now can look at it with a wider lens.

Much of what we learned was based off of the ideas in this book. It is a must read!

I remember one of the first days of class we were asked who we were as individuals. We attempted to define ourselves, and look to what defined us. This was interesting because at the start of the semester answered “caucasian.” Today however, I might think of something a little bit more specific and open minded. I would say Finnish-Canadian, or Second-Generation Canadian. (Maybe even lead with saying I am a critical thinker.) What I can say is that coming to these conclusions would also not have been possible without my fellow classmates. Throughout class discussions I discovered how diverse we all are from one another, and I felt all of us feed off of this very factor and begin to learn from one another. I highly believe in learning from experience and that’s where I think this played a crucial role.

All of these factors have allowed me to stop and take time today to open up my mind and act as a critical thinker.

As I stated in an earlier blog post, not only does critical thinking open your mind, but it can provide us with new and different view in which to improve society. Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-corrective with a commitment to improving society.

I have all the members of my UOIT Diversity Class of 2012 to thank for my own self-progress!

Multicultural Canada

In our Diversity class we discussed Diaspora and Immigration. Before I knew it we were talking about North America’s multiculturalism. Canada, unlike the U.S. differs in the views when it comes to their country’s identity. The U.S. uses more of a “melting pot” view vs. Canada’s “mosaic” or a “tossed salad” view towards society.

The reason for this is because Canada encourages multiculturalism and individualism as opposed to encourage assimilation into society. The U.S. melts all their cultures to create an American identity, whereas Canada, like a tossed salad, has many individual ingredients that are used to create the Canadian identity.

It made me think of places in Canada that are highlights, or ingredients of this salad that contribute to our multiculturalism: China Town, J-Town, Little Italy, Little Jamaica, Africville and more. These places are rich in history and contribute to Canada's identity. Can you think of more?

Post #9 -Diaspora and Immigration

Link to article: "St. Urho's Day is a fun way to appreciate our rich Finnish heritage."

“St. Urho’s Day is a fun way to appreciate our rich Finnish heritage”

As a second generation Canadian, I was excited to learn more about Diaspora and Immigration. As a Finnish-Canadian, I was intrigued to research Finnish Diaspora in Canada. What I found was that many Finns, like my father, left Finland to come to Canada and work. I also know many of them situated themselves not too far from me (the Durham Region) in a more northern city called Thunder Bay. Currently, this city has the highest Finnish-speaking population outside of Finland.

The article I will be discussing was an article from a website that offers news, information, opinions and positive ideas for Thunder Bay, Ontario, and for Northwestern Ontario. First of all, I would like to point out that I think it’s wonderful to have a news website that specifically highlights good news, especially when it has to do with the way that Canadians view multiculturalism. This website claims that feature columns from federal, provincial and municipal people in government have opportunity to share their ideas with us directly and openly.

In this article, Thunder Bay- Superior MP Bruce Hyer explained his gratification of the Finns who have inhabited the Thunder Bay community for more than 100 years. “St, Urho’s Day is a fun way to appreciate our rich Finnish heritage and the developing traditions of the Finnish Diaspora,” (Hyer, 2012).

The holiday is similar to the Irish St. Patrick’s Day and pays tribute to the mythological St. Urho. On this day all individuals in the community, Finnish and not, can celebrate with parades, fundraising, and a grand festival. What I was also pleased to find out was that there is an event named "FinnThunder 2012" which is an annual festival that celebrates Finnish- Canadian culture.

Scholar Parminder Bhachu explained that “The market is used not just as a straightforward mechanisms of exchange but also as a means of negotiating a Diasporic material form which expresses cultural pride…." (Bhachu, 2004). Although this is a different context, I believe that there is a negotiating between cultures that occurs in achieve harmony and unity within communities.

When I visited Helsnki, I came across this pub (and ate there, yum!). St. Urho's Day is a holiday celebrated similar to St. Patrick's Day.

What I like also like about this Thunder Bay community is that the Finnish enclave includes restaurants, and other public facilities that cater to the community. I believe that communities that celebrate diversity, and accept multiculturalism can not only thrive, but also spread awareness and help others to have an open mind.

To learn more about the Finnish- Canadian culture in Thunder Bay: Click here.

References

Bhachu, P. (2004). Dangerous designs: Asian women fashion the diaspora economics. New York: Routledge.

St. Urho’s Day is a fun way to appreciate our rich Finnish heritage. (2012, March 16). NetNewsLedger. Retrieved from http://netnewsledger.com/2012/03/16/st-urhos-day-is-a-fun-way-to-appreciate-our-rich-finnish-heritage-bruce-hyer/.

Crash

Crash has been celebrated for it's exploration in diversity and racism and I thoroughly enoyed it! However, some scholars argue it is unable to escape the deeply rooted history of White dominance and White-Black racial dichotomy.

"In writing and directing Crash, Paul Haggis made a noble attempt to provide a contemporary commentary on race and racism in the Unites States…While we applaud Haggis for what he tried to achieve, we do not want this to be what and who we become. We want to become something better." –Jamie Moshin and Ronald L. Jackson II

Post #8- Mainstream Entertainment

Link to article: History of Racial Tension for Fla. City and Blacks

History of Racial Tension for Fla. City and Blacks
By: Mike Schneider and Suzette Laboy

Since Barack Obama’s presidential election win in 2008 many North American’s would argue that we live in a “colour-blind” nation. This means that we think and look beyond racism and other markers of difference, and that we live in what is called a “post-race” era. However, I can argue that by looking at it this way, and ignoring the differences in multiculturalism, we are only furthering racism. Multiculturalism should be recognized and celebrated, and I believe that mainstream entertainment has the power to do so.

Visionary and American president Obama

According to Jamie Moshin and Ronald L. Jackson (2011) the 2004 film “Crash” reveals how although racism is hidden in public, it is often expressed privately. In the article “History of Racial Tension for Fla. City and Blacks”, we see how this view of racism is proven. The article refers to several events that have occurred in a (predominately white) Orlando, Florida region that have been part of a ten year span of racial issues between the black community and the police department.

In class we discussed the theory of relational privilege. In a lecture on March 23, 2012, to a COMM 372OU class, Tess Pierce claimed this theory refers to how those from different diversities communicate involving power dynamics. In the film Crash we see an example of the raw form of relational privilege in California communities. Crash was commended for shining light on how sub-cultures inter-relate across class and colour lines in present-day America. When it comes to the issues in the Orlando community, Obama himself has shed light globally on the racist issues within this community.

Most recent killing in the Orlando area was this 17-year-old (left), allegedly shot in self-defence.

According to Moshin and Jackson every day racism is hidden. “Closing our eyes, acting like it is not there, or even conflating bigotry with racism are not effective strategies for this eradication or racism or White Privilege, both of which have material effects for non-White, racial Others in our Society,” (pg. 215). When authorities and the surrounding communities like the one in Orlando ignore racism, it will only work to further encourage the racist tendencies between community members. When we ignore racism, it will not simply cease to exist. Luckily, when figures such as Obama begin to discuss racism we can begin to better understand that although we are not a “colour-blind” nation, we don’t need to be.

References

Moshin, J. & Jackson, R. L. Inscribing racial bodies and relieving responsibility: Examining racial politics in Crash. In Lacy & Ono pp. 214-232.

Schneider, M., and Laboy, S. (2012, March 23). History of Racial Tension for Fla. City and Blacks. Associated Press. Retrieved from: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/history-racial-tension-fla-city-blacks-15984145

(T. Pierce, COMM 372OU, March 23, 2012).

Post #7- Religion & Diversity

Link to article: Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider learns the Zen of baseball

Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider learns the Zen of baseball
By: Larry Millson

After today’s Communicating Diversity class, I really started to think more about religion and spirituality in my every-day life, and how they contrast with one another. As someone who was never exactly forcefully encouraged to practice religion-religiously- I found myself to be more spiritually oriented. What this means to me is that instead of directly looking to a higher power to help me in time of need, I looked for inner strength, as well as to family and friends.

I was tickled when I read this article on the Major League Baseball (MLB) player Travis Snider’s new interest in Zen. When I think of religion and sports my mind directly goes to the Denver Bronco’s Tim Tebow. Many know him as the National Football League (NFL) player who gets down on one knee and starts praying on the field before, after and during a game.

Tebow, praying on the sidelines

Going back to the article, I found it intriguing to hear that although, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder, Snider “doesn’t claim to be Buddhist or any particular religion from that sense,” he still “was able to take some things and put them in perspective.” Often times I find myself acting similarly, picking and choosing aspects certain religions possess and applying them to my spiritual instincts in order to better myself.

I believe that the way in which Snider claimed he could relate to books regarding inner peace displayed his spiritual side. When referring to the tendinitis in his right wrist that ended his season last year, Snider claimed “it was a blessing in disguise… It gave me some extended time to spend with some friends and family and do some good self-reflection and really put things in perspective.” This quote interested me because the language Snider used (“blessing”) showed me his religious side. However, the rest of the quote reflected more of a spiritual side.

Snider, looking to Zen to change up the game

As a communication student I find it fascinating to examine how athletes in MLB, and the NFL, look to gain their non-physical strength both on and off the field. I find it inspiring that their openness and understanding of religion and spirituality can influence not only fans, but almost anyone that whatever your belief, if it works for you than that’s what you should do.

I am excited to see the new baseball season begin, and especially excited to see if Snider will take the left outfield position. I would like to follow up and see just how his new Zen interest plays out on the field. Snider’s spiritual interest is by far one of the most interesting things I’ve seen come out of left-field. Maybe it’ll be a home run?

Let's go Blue Jays!

References:

Millson, L. (2012, March 5). Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider learns the Zen of baseball. The Toronto Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/mlb/bluejays/article/1141359--blue-jays-outfielder-travis-snider-learns-the-zen-of-baseball

Who I am...

In today’s class we not only discussed religion, but also spirituality.

We compared the two and considered how both played parts in our lives as well as those around us.

The subject of religion is a tender one, so it was interesting to see the diversity among our fellow peers since it is something that is not always openly discussed. It also made me think about my religious history.

My grandparents lived in Germany where they practiced Lutheran. When they moved to Canada the church they attended was Presbyterian. Both are Protestant, and both my parents happened to be brought up with this religion. When it came to me, I was free to embrace what I felt comfortable. However, that didn’t come easily. What does your religion or spiritual side say about you?