The Real Language Of Diversity Is Love

A few months ago I was asked that why,as someone who promotes diversity inthe community, is it that I cannot speakmy language of heritage, Punjabi?I was taken aback by this comment andto clarify the situation, I am more capableof understanding Punjabi when someoneis speaking it to me, but have more difficultytranslating it back in a fluent manner.I come from a generation of South AsianCanadians who did not have Punjabi spokenat home or at school, which makes itextremely difficult learning it later in life.I love my language of heritage and it issomething I am pursuing to master.But, does that make me less of a diverseperson? Absolutely not. Speaking one orseveral languages doesn’t completelydefine you as a diverse person. So whatmakes an individual diverse, in my humbleopinion? It basically comes down toone common factor which is how wetreat others around us, more than howmany countries one has have visited orhow many ethnic foods we have tasted.The language of love is one of thestrongest signs of diversity. A personwith an open heart and mind is howdiversity should be adequately measured.Diversity is not a puzzle or maze andthere is no simple equation because eachand every one of us is at various stages oflearning about diversity. Diversity is notlimited to a select group of people; we allbelong to the family of diversity. Also,when it comes to my name, I prefer beingcalled by my nickname Ken or by my realPunjabi name Kulwinder, but not Kenny,please.Anne-Marie Sjoden of Abbotsford said:”I love to volunteer in the community andmeet so many kind people from all overworld. I am always surprised to hearwhen someone makes racist remarks.Recently, I heard someone refer to a individualshead covering in a demeaningway. I don’t see colour, it doesn’t matterto me if your black, white or brown.You’re my friend because of who youare; it’s that simple.”Last month, Judy Johnson ofAbbotsford visited Africa as part of alocal grandmothers group calledAbbotsford Gogos. She said: “I was privilegedto be one of a group of 22Canadian grandmothers of the StephenLewis Foundation Grandmothers toGrandmothers Campaign, who visitedAfrican grandmothers and the grassrootsorganizations that support them inEthiopia, Rwanda and South Africa. Itwas an amazing opportunity to see thework that the grandmothers and theorganizations are doing in the face of theHIV/AIDS pandemic, which is havingsuch an impact on African countries.“Grandmothers are becoming theexperts in their communities, working tosupport their grandchildren and otherorphans, providing home care and supportto those affected by the disease andadvocating for women’s rights and fairtreatment. At a time of their lives whenthey had hoped to be taking it easy theyare stepping up to fill the gaps left astheir children have died.”As part of her commitment to this trip,Johnson is sharing her stories of thegrandmothers she encountered. If you’reinterested in learning more about theirwork in Africa, feel free to contact her at604 556-3919.