Dear Editor:
I recently read the article on Facebook in The Link by Ken Herar. To paraphrase his article, he suggests Facebook polarizes people and divides communities. Punjabis and other people in Canada only talk on Facebook with their own kinds. Give me a break that is completely nonsense. This belief is the farthest from the truth. Facebook is one of the new technologies that has helped diversity, multiculturalism and the Charter of Rights And Freedoms here in Canada. In my dealings, working with KiDDAA Magazine, Facebook has helped us reach out to all communities. Through Facebook we interviewed Daniel Igali, Sugar Sammy, Haroon Siddiqui, the list goes on.
On a business level Social Media like Facebook gives brands the ability to advertise their product for free. That initself scares the man. You know the man. Facebook really did take the world by storm. Its like cell phones how much have they changed our lives? No one really uses their home phone anymore. Great ideas like Facebook make life better in many ways.
Facebook alone has helped KiDDAA Magazine voice our opinion on news and topics, the so called white mainstream media does not broadcast.
KiDDAA Magazine through the use of Facebook was able to highlight racism in the media. Through Facebook we were able to connect with former MP Sukh Dhaliwal, Dawn Black, tell the story of Erwin Singh Braich, philanthropist and industrialist, highlight the beatdown of Phil Khan by police, and other important stories. Many of these stories and people were ignored by the so called “Mainstream Media.
Facebook did not become a part of life because of its negative aspects. Those who attack Social Media like Facebook, are afraid of a different world where mainstream thought, politics and media has now power. Brown, Yellow, Aboriginal, etc now have a voice, turn off your CNN, Global Canwest, Globe Media, ABC, it not a representation of ethnic peoples, never mind Punjabis/South Asians. Not only are we not reflected in colour but thought. Why would I have the same point of view as a 35 year old white man? Did he live life in my shoes or me in his?
Mr. Herar argues that Facebook makes Punjabis in Canada stay only in the community. That is rubbish. Look at the friends of anyone 15-35 and their Facebook friends are as multicultural as Toronto or Vancouver, BC. When you post something on Facebook, people from every race, religion, colour, country can comment on your ideas. In other words Facebook like most Social Media spreads dialogue globally. I have had white people, Muslims, Chinese, African Americas, Punjabis all over the world comment on our KiDDAA Facebook Posts. Somtimes they are rude comments but often they promote dialogue and freedom of expression.
Currently KiDDAA Magazine has commented on Erwin Singh Braich’s life which merited a Court Order brought on by KPMG. In other words the Facebook posts among other things were important enough to highlight a BC Supreme Court Order against KiDDAA Magazine.
The entire Arab Spring revolutions were inspired by Facebook and Twitter and beamed to the entire world. Ask Egyptians or Tunisians what they think about Facebook. I have personally met people on Facebook and have become great friends. People have found love and marriage through Facebook. People have been reunited through Facebook. To downplay the role of Facebook is silly.
In my opinion Facebook is only a danger to those individuals, corporations, news media that are frightened by diversity and truth. Media like The Link, Georgia Straight, KiDDAA Magazine understand the importance of Social Media. To downplay Social Media tells a lot about a person’s belief in truth and diversity.
The greatest danger comes from those individuals of colour who don’t represent their community but parrot the ideas of racist white mainstream news.
To put in Financial terms the makers of Facebook (Zuckerberg) are now worth 100 billion, based on a fantastic idea, that unites people and the world. While I respect The Link and Paul Dhillion immensely, the editorial by Mr. Herar missed his mark on every level of this criteria on Facebook. Facebook should break $3 billion in revenue before it ever goes public, according to a report released Thursday. And Mark Zuckerberg, its chief executive, should sit atop piles of cash. In the world we celebrate those individuals who make the world better and invention. Facebook is one of those inventions that has made the world better and more diverse not less.
Another idea that is also important about Facebook like Rap Music, Facebook gives the voiceless a voice. On Facebook you can report a racist incident, or talk about the lies that lead to war in say Iraq and now Iran and its non existen nuclear weapons. Facebook can be very postitive and tell stories people want to see. The idea that you can post something that others can share is groundbreaking. With Facebook and Twitter not only can you connect with strangers but also those who command respect and power.
In other words through Facebook a connection was made between people who might never meet or converse. I have spoken through Facebook to family in Punjab, friends in Tdot or even dated.
New generation of Apney need to hold their head high not become uncle Toms who bad mouth diversity and multiculturalism. Happy new year to all and keep on using Facebook and reading The Link.
Sunny Singh Chopra
KiDDAA Magazine
