Cultural Diversity

Multiculturalism in Canada references the mosaic that makes up Canada. I think politicians needed a way to define people from other parts of the world without sounding offensive. Isn't that the way it is with so many things these days? So, politicians and people everywhere turn to the "politically correct" terms that "higher minds" dream up and educate to the masses. The problem I see with this "political correctness" is that we forget other important people in our world.

I considered selling advertising to the gay community recently and found myself feeling apprehensive - I hate being hit on. However, I learned that many gays arrive here to escape persecution due to their sexual preferences - and Vancouver is well-known for its acceptance of alternative lifestyles. In Mexico, if you're gay and other men are aware of this, it is likely that you will be ostracized and physically harmed. This I learned from a friend who came here to save himself and his family. Now he is free to pursue his lifestyle and sexual preference with a greater degree of freedom and security. This does not mean that everyone here in Canada is tolerant of the gay community; after all, we are a mixed bag of people living here.

I became aware of the fact that the gay community itself is a culture by its own right. I did pick up the dictionary to verify this fact. Here's what it says:
culture. n. 1. a. The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. b. These patterns, traits, and products considered as the expression of a particular period, class, community, or population: Edwardian culture; Japanese culture; the culture of poverty. c. These patterns, traits, and products considered with respect to a particular category, such as a field, subject, or mode of expression: religious culture in the Middle Ages; musical culture; oral culture. d. The predominating attitudes and behavior that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.

So now we recognize that the gay community is a culture. This would also hold true for other sexual cultures; and what about musicians, skinheads, painters, writers, and so on? Oh, and what about street people? They're another culture defined by their behavior patterns, beliefs, traits, class, community, population, and so on. So, the word multiculturalism used here in Canada, while respecting and doing what it can to promote acceptance of our different country origins and traditions, does little else to promote acceptance of everyone.

As a Canadian-born individual, I am not so much interested in multiculturalism in the Canadian context. I'm interested in each individual and their experience. I love culture. When I found the definition in my dictionary for culture, close to that I found a definition I had not heard: Culture- Vulture. What's that? I wondered.

Culture Vulture. n. colloq. Person eager for cultural pursuits.

That almost sounds like me. I'm not so eager to be considered a vulture but I am definitely interested in other cultural experiences. My eagerness to experience other cultures doesn't mean I'm willing to throw away my heterosexuality, but rather that I am willing to talk with and participate with members of the gay community. With other cultural experiences, I've eaten chicken feet, stomachs of animals, 100-year-old eggs, and other things that would typically make many Canadian-born blokes like me queasy. I was grossed out initially, but usually I've been pleasantly surprised by the experience. These are the things that open us to embracing differences with a more open mind. I think food and beliefs are the real attraction to exploring other cultures. It challenges our world-view and palate (and keeps our tummies full).

So my point is that we should be a lot more aware of acceptance and openness towards everyone: Canadian-born, immigrants, gays and lesbians, pot-smokers, and many, many more. Multiculturalism, while a worthwhile focus for Canada to promote and respect our diversity, as individuals we can do so much more for the cause.

by Lee Down
Published in The Source newspaper Vol.7 No.6 Sept. 21 - Oct. 5, 2004