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?