Web MasterLEADERSHIP HUB CONNECTION
- Choose a resource from the complete resource list (located in the File Manager in CLP Session 1 Materials) or an additional one that you have found that explains any of the key terms discussed today. Post a comment in the group discussion about this resource.
- Review the Charter and the Charter Backgrounder – how do you think the Charter impacts you/your community?
- Review the session material (see CLP Session 1 Materials in the File Manager) Connect with facilitators regarding any questions you may have.
- Complete the Community Project Activity (see Session 1 slides 39-40). Record your responses and post them in the group discussion. Start thinking about ideas for a community project and begin sharing these ideas in the group discussion.
TAKE ACTION!
Share something you learned today with someone outside of this program.
REFLECTION
Reflect on the “Crossing the Line” and “Forced Choices” activities and what you learned through them that can make our community more inclusive.
Cross Line made me feel connected and different which is by definition inclusion and diversity-all good
Forced choice was harder there were many parts of my identity that were not list.
In spite of that ‘forced omission’ I was saddened that there were several parts of my identity that I feel negatively towards.Many of these feelings come from our society,internalized oppression.Sad really.
Part 2 : Start thinking about a Community Project
Where:My workplace(Brampton)
What:Create a space to ‘create together’
Who:Persons with Disabilities
How:Write a grant through RDR perhaps to get funds for supplies
I would like to do something where there is awareness and community building either through the use of creating art or food together.There needs to be a social action element too.Making the personal political and having the groups voices heard.
Starting ideas…..anyone want to partner!!??
I like the idea, you might want to give it shape by jotting down how you want to see it.
I read the article Alternatives to Police by Rose City Copwatch
It really address the need for collective leadership and working together. I think it actually addresses many of the terms we discussed. To summarize, the program seeks to find alternatives policing. Through an examination of a variety of sources the participants looked for strengths and challenges of various programs from a non-punitive standpoint (not from police or law enforcement etc)
Its about collective liberation. The resource/booklet is an amalgamation of this research
They outline seven principles of legitimacy as necessary for the success of community-based alternatives to the police.
Mandate – articulate the need
Moral Authority – power to act
Partnership – working in collaboration with the community
Competence – having the skills to do the work
Practice – standards for action
Transparency – subject to public scrutiny and input
Accountability – ongoing evaluation
Very interesting read
Tamique
Crossing the line was tough at times, probably because there are parts of my personality that even I had never had to face in this manner. On the other hand, it was very liberating to have acknowledged first and then to feel that I’m not alone in this.
Forced Choices was a great exercise. At times it was difficult to choose where I fit in i.e ethnic ? With other categories it was easier because I was clear on those aspects as to how I feel about those boxes, quite possibly because of certain biases within the society or an honest self analyzation.
All in all, both exercises were good, made me think about parts of my identity which I rarely face consciously. Kudos to the facilitators for participating in this diverse group exercise…leading by example
My chosen article was titled, “Collective Voice: The Struggles and Blessings of a Multicultural Background”. This article discussed how many people loose their cultural identity after coming to Canada. This article resonated with me as I can relate with the feeling of identity homelessness. As my parents came to Canada with very little money in their pockets, I witnessed the struggles that someone feels when becoming a new-comer. One issue in particular that I can still remember is the language barrier that prevented employment for my parents. My parents wanted different lives for their children and grew us up with western traditions. As my sisters and I grew up with western traditions, I slowly forgot about my culture, religion and mother-tongue. Today, I have tried my very best to be informed of cultural traditions and to embrace this as this part of me makes me unique. It is important to embrace, accept and appreciate different cultures. Identifying yourself with more than one cultural influence can help support community engagement.
It is nice article I like it ?
This was my first time participating in a “crossing the line” activity and I must say, this is what can bring a community together. A lot of people feel a sense of loneliness as they feel that no one can understand their life problems; however, this activity will prove otherwise. I was amazed to see how many people crossed the line with me for very personal questions. One question in particular, “have you been depressed”, made me feel that there are so many people out there with happy faces that are facing their own battles, just like me.
There was a quote that I saw on social media that I truly think relates to this — “She had blue skin, and so did he. He kept it hid, and so did he. They searched for blue their whole life through. Then passed right by – and never knew”. I think it is important to advocate for community engagement as there are people who feel alone and hiding their “true skin” as they feel that no one can relate to their problems when in reality, their neighbours are going through the same issues.
I came across an article about an Asian student who is afraid of expressing his ideas on art as he might think people would not appreciate since he is living in this country, HOWEVER, with her little knowledge about diversity he followed his dream and created his own artwork. His fear turned into an amazing journey when he received praises and encouragement to continue his artwork. The student then realized that with diversity in the society, life beoming more interesting. I like how his little knowledge of diversity changed his perception about art. Could we imagine if more and more people have knowledge about diversity?
Thank you and see you guys later:)
Hi Lanie, thanks for sharing. Would you be able to share this article?
“Crossing the Line” activity reminds me of similarity in some aspects in spite of differences in race, ethnicity, and age.
It also makes me feel sorry for other people who were reminded of losing their beloved family members when related questions were asked.
I would be thinking to reach out to my Filipino community who are away from families; caregivers or non-caregivers. To set up a common meeting place to socialize, identify family issues and talk how are they coping a million miles away from their loved ones.
This is a great idea Lanie – please keep developing it!
Hi Lanie
I would be interested in learning more about your idea
I have been reflecting the past few weeks about projects and have been reviewing some of the comments. After reviewing I have noticed a trend of creating spaces that are safe, inclusive and allowing for people to express themselves creatively. I am very much interested in this type of project.
My addition to any of these would be how can we include aspects of technology in these spaces? The incorporation of technology in creative spaces could improve inclusivity for individuals for whom mobility is a challenge.
Something like the Maker spaces come to mind as being ways in which we could incorporate both creativity and technology. See this link for more information https://www.makerspaces.com/what-is-a-makerspace/.
What I truly love about such spaces is we can take an actual issue in the community related to diversity and inclusion and work together to find a solution. While we have these spaces in some of the libraries they cover mainly technology as an end as opposed to a means. I would like to examine issues of diversity, inclusion and accessibility with technology as a means.
Hello everyone,
I look forward to meeting on Saturday 🙂
I liked the conversations that we had as a group. I also found the activity ‘forced choices’ to be a good demonstration of how top-down initiatives that are based on stereotypical assumptions of social identity can worsen efforts towards diversity, inclusion and equity.
When we make assumptions about need (such as affirmative action) we make decisions on other peoples behalf. Such actions can create stigmatization,and in fact further isolate people that may need the most help.
I did share this earlier, but i will post it again: http://crhesi.uwo.ca/2017/09/29/a-critique-of-multiculturalism/
It is a point to consider: we pride ourselves in multiculturalism and diversity. But have we truly just created defined boundaries for different cultures to be accepted, but no room for these cultures to move out of their silos and create a new culture? One that is not based on race/ gender/ sexual status/ immigration status etc?
Given that certain diaspora’s in the GTA are well into their third generation, is it fair to base assumptions of need based on ancestral heritage rather than who the people are now?
For me, true success can be achieved only by bringing down systematic barriers……..
best
Ambreen
For my community project I would like to create a safe social space for cancer patients and their families to share their time/ stories/ needs/ wants.
I would like this space to be an area of support and nurture, from where the needs of cancer patients and families are given voices.
I am not sure about the viability or feasibility of such a project, but i would love to hear what everyone else has to say.
till saturday then,
cheers
Ambreen
I would like to have a Fusion Fair… My son is of mixed culture and so are most of his friends. It’s a struggle to help our mixed children celebrate their heredity because being half of one culture and half of another usually means that you may gain some things, but lose much more.
In Vancouver there is a festival that celebrates this type of diversity and mixed kids can experience all of their culture from food to art all in one place. The best thing about this type of festival is that people of all culture can see the positive result of accepting each other.
I would like to get help in getting funding as well as finding people who would like to work on something like this together.
Hi Therese
Good idea if you need help I am welling to share with you ?
I just finished watching The Blind Spot (row 19). Before we can have a fully inclusive society, each of us need to ask ourselves what are our biases? how do they impact my choices? decisions? who I include? at work? at home? at play?
Crossing the Line is a powerful activity. This is the second time I done this exercise. I find it powerful in breaking down assumptions and building bridges through shared experiences.
This would be very powerful to bring to schools in the peel region. Is this being done right now?
Hi Parool, this is a great question! Does anyone else know? I think this would be a great thing to look into collaboratively.
Hello there,
Sorry for delay in presenting my homework. I chose from the resources the article “Collective Voice: The struggles and blessings of a multicultural background.” This article is about diversity and it was very informative. It is true that multiculturalism is not always peaceful but also lots of struggles. After reading it I could understand my son’s point of view. Why he does not look interested for my culture and some times even ashamed. I have a small family, we are only three. One Brazilian, one Portuguese and one Canadian and I see now that we are always competing to force our cultures over each other.
We have to embrace diversity and we have to start from home. Because we are a family we think we have just one culture, but not, we live three different cultures inside home and on spite of this difference we love each other and we accept each other. We must understand that we cannot impose our way of life to no one and learn that the beauty of life is the opportunity to have different paths to see the rainbow in the end of the way and it is just love and acceptance.
Diversity is a gift and I am proud of living in this country that welcome differences even though it is not perfect, however, our mission as Community Ambassadors is to bring about improvements and make louder the voices saying that we are all important regardless of our differences.
Hi Everyone,
I am thinking about my project so I got up with this idea (there is story behind this idea I can explained later) I need to do a day to meet all my neighbor to know each other and help each other in our community. I give name for that day as ( know your neighbor).
My story as following,
I came to Canada year 2000, since I came as a new comer I faced a lot of problems but the most problem I faced is with one of my neighbor across the street , she is not my close neighbor. Every month I had somebody from city because she complain against me. I was under stress from what she was doing. When my close neighbor knows what she is doing with me, they lough and they said she is doing that with every new neighbor. Since that time I wish to do the day for know your neighbors. If we know each other we will solve all the problem without interfere other authority which they have bigger problem then what we complain.
Crossing the line was a powerful activity. It demonstrated that collectively we are more similar than different. If there was an avenue or program that could be facilitated in some way it could yield some great results. I have a couple ideas for projects that I would like to explore further.
Hello everyone!
1.-The article that I want to share is from the resources. Its is called “Fostering connections, shearing stories, and creating community.” In the article, the author mention a lady Katheren Szabo who has a heart for her community. Every year she engages in a 60- day vigil. She goes to a park and engages in conversation with the residents. She actively listen to them, their stories and needs, and takes action. I found the story of Katheren very inspiring. She left behind her biases and selfishness to really know her community. She opened her ears to hear stories of people from different background and issues, and made them to feel included and supported.
2.-The Charter plays a great role on impacting my community. It promotes inclusiveness and equity. It works along side with various sectors of Peel community such as education, health, aboriginal people, just to mention a few. It allows to reach more effectively the community.
The D&I Charter provide opportunities to bring awareness of the needs of the communities and bring people together to take action. The Charter provide resources that we as community can use to better support our community. At the end, we can reduce the statistics numbers of unemployment, suicide, poverty, among others.
Once I participated in a Medical Journey weekend that my cousin organized in her little town. I remember that everybody in our family helped. She invited friends and family who worked in the health field. We had family doctors, pediatricians, dentists, nurses, and psychologists to give free consultation to the community.
They were full commitment to the cause.
I didn’t organized the event but, I was one of the professionals invited to provide consultation in the mental health area. People we served where thankful for having this health event.