All ethnic or cultural groups that came to make Canada from their homeland, each one of us who is an immigrant, also came to Canada to make this country our home. Thus, all people who came as immigrants are now Canadians.
They should accept Canada as their home country. Of course, it is not possible to forget “the old country” or “back home” because there are family and emotional ties with the country of origin. But the country of origin, basically, should become one of memory, as we have chosen to leave those countries and come to Canada of our free will.
Our allegiance now, therefore, must rest with Canada. Any allegiance we may owe to our countries of origin would be more in terms of family allegiance or some business allegiance, but certainly not a political allegiance. If we continue to owe political allegiance to our countries of origin, then we are betraying the trust that Canada has placed in us, and has made us immigrants and citizens. We should all be proud that we are now Canadians.
The Canadian Government has enacted a multicultural policy that is law in this country. I have heard comments to the effect that the Government’s multicultural policy has served to keep the various ethnic minorities and cultures different or isolated. It promotes segregation. I feel that the Government’s policy of multiculturalism was based on its need to show respect and tolerance for all cultures, which now exist in this country.
The Government’s intention was to allow people to live according to their own cultures, but yet to live in harmony with the overall Canadian society. If we fail to recognize this fact, and live in our isolated groups, then we are creating our own segregations, which is no fault of the Government.
Each ethnic minority or cultural group that does the same thing is also practicing segregation of its own accord. The reason for this is easy to understand. It is easy to identify with, and relate to, those who have come from the same ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The customs, clothing, food, language, etc. are common, and therefore a sense of identity and belonging is established. It is difficult to feel the same sense of belonging when one mingles with a different ethnic or cultural group.
But that does not mean that we should not make an effort to bridge the gaps that exist between the various cultures. The maturity and wisdom of any ethnic or cultural group will depend on the degree to which it exercises acceptance, understanding, sharing, and working for common goals for the benefit of the whole Canadian society. If a minority group or culture isolates itself, it is practicing a type of selfishness or smugness, often feeling itself superior to the other cultures. It may harbour a condescending attitude towards the others.
A parallel can be drawn comparing Canada with a family. In a family all the children may be different in terms of personality, likes and dislikes, and aspirations. Nevertheless, they all belong in the same household under the care and protection of the parents. If a brother or sister is intolerant of his or her sibling, and acts in a selfish or condescending manner, then the parents will not approve of it. Similarly, all the ethnic groups and cultures in this country can be thought of as children belonging in the same home. It is important for all the children to live in harmony, respecting one another, in spite of differences. We must live with acceptance. We must show love for one other.
In order to live harmoniously with the larger society, each minority group must learn the dominant languages of this country i.e. English and French. It is only by communicating in the same language can meaningful inter-relationships develop. Only then can trust and fellowship develop. It is common to say that we have a country of unity in diversity. Sometimes it seems that the diversity becomes more important than the unity. As human beings, we all share certain aspirations for the welfare of our families and us. We wish to have a secure and safe future. We must work for these goals within the context of our multicultural country. It is not proper to use the resources of this country to support campaigns and programs of various kinds in the countries of origin, unless it is done for humanitarian reasons. Let us all, as people of other ethnic or cultural groups, be honest and fair towards Canada, and work for the common good of all Canadians.
Dr. Jagessar Das is a founder of Kabir Association of Canada. He can be reached at [email protected].
