By Ken Herar
A year before the municipal election that were held last fall my father (Tok) asked me if I was considering running as a candidate for city council in the District of Mission. I responded, “Dad, the elections are not until a year from now” as I was stepping out the door. A month later my father, who was a Sikh pioneer and came to Mission in 1952 suddenly passed away at the age of 84. His words would echo with me for the entire year leading up to the election.
Last June, I announced I would step up to the plate and run as a candidate.
Being born and raised in Mission I saw my father involved in the community for decades and shaped me considerably, Former Mayor Randy Hawes called him a “iconic figure”. I told myself if I don’t get elected at least the message of diversity and respect for all people would be heard and be the focal address of my campaign.
I decided to model my message around my father’s legacy of community involvement, being one of the longest serving Rotarians in Canada of 58 years and the late Naranjan Grewall, a political pioneer, who opened the door for so many with hard struggles. Grewall, was the first South Asian to be elected to public office in Canada in 1950 after the franchise was extended to minorities in 1947. He later became mayor in 1954 and ran for the CCF in 1956 and was defeated. Two, lives lived through inclusivity, period.
This brings me to this very point. When the campaign started last fall I received a message from a few Punjabi friends that there was a rumor out that I wasn’t going to represent the South Asian community. I haven’t a clue how these tasteless accusations originated, but I meet with many of the key local leaders to discuss and they were very happy with my candidacy. Actually, there were many exceptional people from the Punjabi community, who stepped up to assist. I shared this specific message at a Punjabi gathering, “please don’t vote for or against me because I’m brown. Look at my platform and what I stand for.” I didn’t want to wrap myself as just a Punjabi candidate. That’s not who I am or what I was taught by my pioneer parents and that’s certainly not what the entire community needs. Yes, we need diversity at the council table, but for the right reasons and mandate.
This brings me to my next important issue, which was brought to my attention, recently, by newer Punjabi Canadians and how the tone is quickly changing. Am I any less of a Punjabi because my name is Ken on the ballot. Or if my name is Herar, being non-Jatt, which many thought I was Spanish or even if I can’t speak fluent Punjabi. Sure, I could have used my real name of Kulwinder, which I’m extremely proud of, but didn’t want to bring confusion to the general public, who know me traditionally as Ken. But, definitely, something to consider for the future in 2022, if I decide to seek re-election.
The bigger message here is there is considerable amount of diversity within the Punjabi community and we have to acknowledge and embrace that and whatever hierarchy chain people use to rank their own people based on their caste needs to simply be thrown out the window. It’s called discrimination and it’s disgraceful. I don’t view people through caste or titles, I see people as people. Something, our Sikh religion proudly teaches and so many unfortunately forget.
Call me whatever, I’m a proud Punjabi and want to serve the entire community professionally and honorably as I can. Many people don’t get this opportunity and there is so much to do rather than talk about nonsense.
