Welcome to the second issue of the Diversity Office zine Diversity Just Is, and our first on-line edition. Our first issue was a big hit, and I am excited that so many people have made contributions to round two, ranging from poetry to prose to photos to recipes to art work, quotes, and more. I think you will enjoy the eclectic nature of this publication, and I hope that it might inspire some thought and engender some conversation.
As part of a pilot project this year, the Diversity Office invited a number of professors to offer their students opportunities to talk and think about diversity, the results of which would be published in this issue of the zine. Some professors offered this option for bonus marks, some made it a mandatory part of their syllabus. The results were pretty remarkable, and I invite you to have a look at some of the work that resulted from this challenge. Our space in the zine was limited, but we really wanted everyone to get a chance to see everything in full, so all class essays, poems, art work, etc., can be viewed in their entirety in this web version.
Any questions about the zine can be directed to: rfreeman@upei.ca or 628-4332
Cheers,
Ruth Freeman
Equity Outreach Coordinator
UPEI Diversity Office
There is nowhere you can go and only be with people who are like you. Give it up.
– Bernice Johnson Reagon
Photo by Amanda GalassoEmily Sorrey's Spicy Vegetarian Chili
This recipe can be adjusted in any way imaginable to suit your taste!
The list of ingredients below can be added in any quantity or order,
but serve as a guide for the base.
1 large can crushed tomatoes 1 large can kidney beans
1 can beans in tomato sauce 1 can black beans
1 small can kernel corn
Rinse all beans that are not already in a sauce
(some beans come in prepared chili flavored sauce! Bonus!)
1 lg. white onion, simmered in butter to soften ½ red bell pepper
Lots of chili powder! (¼ cup for spicy chili) ½ yellow pepper
Dried chili pepper flakes to taste (the longer you simmer, the spicier)
Simmer all of your choice ingredients in a large crockpot for a minimum of 4 hours
– the longer the better. Last – but certainly not least – the secret ingredient for this
chili is a couple pinches of cinnamon! Enjoy!!
CHALLENGES
Students in Professor Laura Fanning’s class had an on-line discussion about the following question: For many Island students, UPEI represents the most culturally diverse community of which they have ever been part. If this is the case for you, has being on campus in any way challenged your behavior or beliefs? If you are from a different country and/or a more culturally diverse community, have your behaviors and beliefs been challenged by living in a fairly homogeneous society? Below are some representative quotes from that discussion. For the full text, please go to upei.ca\do.
I definitely find the society here of a more homogeneous nature. There are many different ethnicities and backgrounds represented at UPEI, yet there is not much of a blend. Everyone seems to gravitate towards the people who have something in common with them. – Petranella Mahon
I picture myself as the only non-Chinese in a room full of students, at the grocery store, or on the street, and imagine how people might stare at me. I wonder what I might feel in that situation and how I would deal with it. I wonder what it would be like to have people make decisions about who I am and what I stand for based only on what they can see. – Megan Sheridan
During high school ... it was never really an issue I was forced to deal with. ...I never had to look inside myself for personal opinions on racism and bigotry. – Jordan Profitt
UPEI, as a community, contains many people who are becoming more tolerant of diversity, but are not necessarily embracing it. To have a change of behavior is quite different than having a change in belief. ... I would be much more impressed if the cultures were more integrated, instead of just co-habiting on a campus, like two cats in the same house. – Katherine Sweet
If you are not used to something, or discovering something new, you sometimes are afraid and scared to interact or learn. University gives you the chance to socialize and meet the different diversities, and the sooner you start to acknowledge diversity, the more natural it will come to you later in life. – Jory Arsenault
People always fear living in a strange environment, because they don't know if the way they do things is right, and they know nothing about the new environment. I think these people should span this barrier and they will get valuable feedback at the end. – Huifang Xiang
Just because there are many cultures it doesn't mean that we are getting to know people from different cultures. However, it is at least good to see that some Profs are making students go outside there comfort zone to at least work with students in their classes from other countries. That to me is a good start. – Talei Thorkelson
At UPEI both Katherine and I seem to have observed the same thing – that everyone looks, acts, and talks the same and this isn't just about visible minorities, it also includes sexual preferences. Until Katherine pointed out that there are no people who are openly gay, I hadn't even noticed. This makes me wonder if at UPEI we are sending a message to students that it is more important to be uniform than to encourage diversity. I don't believe these messages are blatant, but are there subtle ways that we communicate this to people? – Megan Sheridan
I fully agree that without a place such as this we would still be in our little communities not recognizing or benefitting from all the different forms of diversity that are out there. I am grateful that I have the chance to meet new people and learn about so many different cultures, behavior, and beliefs. – Sabrina Doucette
Making a foreign friend is also a big challenge for me, because Chinese university is not as diverse as the UPEI campus community. Before I came to UPEI I never saw any foreign students in my Chinese university, because foreign students study in the faculty of international that is a different university campus from ours. Therefore, I did not have any chance to make a foreign friend before. Moreover, foreign students and I have different culture. Consequently, this is another challenge for me. – Yicen Xue
Communicating in English with Canadians is a big challenge for me. When I first came to Canada, I was not accustomed to speaking English on campus. I used to chat in Chinese with my friends, even though some English speakers were with us. At that time, I did not know my behavior was impolite since English speakers here do not understand Chinese. I have tried to keep speak English and speak less Chinese in order to respect other people on campus. However, my custom is not easy to change and I am still working on this big challenge. – Biwen Luo
Photo by Amanda GalassoWhat Does it Mean to
Acknowledge Diversity?
Understanding and being able to accept diversity is a great acknowledgment. When people are asked about something they have never seen before, or interacted with, there can sometimes be a negative response, yet people should not pre-judge a culture that they have never been around or interacted with. Most everyone has some kind of judgement about someone before they meet that other person; acknowledging diversity means recognising different people and their cultures – everyone is human. Give them a fair chance. – Nicholas J. Matheson
Oh how smug I must seem
Politically correct, culturally aware
Sensitive, appropriate, inclusive
The truth is
I don’t know shit
And I know that you know that
So why don’t you call me on it?
- Apphia Pepper
Limbo
Photo by Maria Powell
by Donald R. Conover
When I see you, the sun shines bright.
Today is bleak.
When you’re near me, my mood is light.
I am depressed.
When I kiss you, my spirit soars.
My wings have been clipped.
When I’m without you, my heart cries.
The tears are flowing freely.
What Does it Mean to
Acknowledge Diversity
...Taking the time to acknowledge the racial
differences between Yicen and I allowed me
to better accept her. I saw her as a person
instead of just ‘Chinese,’ therefore,
acknowledging my bias and correcting it. I
took the time to get to know her, instead of
just moving on. Through the interview
process I have made a new friend instead of
an enemy, and I understand her better.
– Jolene Murphy
Photo by Amanda Galasso
What Does it Mean to
Acknowledge Diversity?
To acknowledge diversity is to
recognize all the different things that go on
in the world. Everything can be diverse.
The whole world is diverse in many ways
whether it be religion, how rich someone is
or the kind of music a person listens to.
– Suzanne Nicholson
Photo by Amanda Galasso
Photo by Shine Chung
ACE Students Year-End Celebration; photo by Leslie Holt
Biography
In 2001 – when she was a UPEI
student – Melissa became a volunteer
with the Adult Connections in Education
Program (ACE). Her sister Madonna
was a graduate of ACE, so she knew on
a personal level the value of the program
in enriching the lives of students with
intellectual disabilities.Eight years later,
Melissa is now the ACE Program Facilitator.
She identifies the biggest reward for working
with the program is watching the students work
so hard to achieve their goals and seeing them
succeed. She considers them to be role models. 
Diversity
To Melissa, diversity means, “Recognizing people
as individuals and taking the time to get to know
them as people and learning their strengths.”
Personal Experience with Diversity
Melissa witnesses individuals who at first are seen
simply as a someone with a disability, but ultimately
as a person who is successful in their own individual
way. There was one student in the program who
started out incredibly shy and had difficulty giving
presentations. Now that he has graduated, he travels
to different provinces giving presentations, thanks to
the confidence he gained during his time here at
UPEI in the ACE program.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor gave her students a “Communications and Cultural Diversity” assignment. The following quotes have been drawn from a powerpoint presentation she created based on the completed assignments. The question posed was: For many Island students, UPEI represents the most culturally diverse community of which they have ever been part. If that is the case for you, has being on campus in any way challenged your behaviour or beliefs? If you are from a more culturally diverse part of the country or world, have your beliefs and behaviour been challenged by now living in a province that is fairly homogenous?
Josh Jadis, UPEI Cultural Connections, 2008
Shine Chung and Dr. Rosemary Herbert; photo by Maria Durling
Biography
Fiona was born in Sydney, Australia and moved to
PEI in 2002 to teach Psychology and Women
Studies at UPEI. She mentions that moving here was
the first time she had seen snow and temperatures
below 8°. Her motivation for staying in PEI was that
the university has such an open policy between
departments.
Diversity
“Diversity means difference – the way in which
people have different ways of defining themselves,
whether it be sexuality, gender, ethnicity, race.”
Fiona says that diversity lets people be free in those
aspects without worry, and the differences we all
have makes us all the same in some way.
Personal Experience with Diversity
When she first landed on PEI, there were only two
other persons here from Australia. Fiona realized
that here she would address herself based on her
country of origin, but in Australia she would address
herself as a teacher. “I thought that was kind of
weird, but I would like to see a PEI where they don’t
have these cultural differences.”
Photo by Alex MacFadyen
Photo by Amanda Galasso
Biography
Mamdouh moved from Egypt to PEI in 1987. He is
currently the Manager of the Internationalization
Department at UPEI in the field of Human Resource
Training and International Activities/ Development. He
has been at UPEI for 14 years. In 2008 he created
International Student Advisor Erica Stanley and student Sherone Bewnwell
the International Development Unit “to try to bring the
world to us, and send students and faculty to the world.”
Diversity
Twenty-two years ago, Mamdouh says, The campus was
a one-colour painting; now it is a painting with many
colours.”
Personal Experience with Diversity
Mamdouh explains that when he first arrived in PEI, it
was not as diverse as it is now. He remembers a
particular time when he and his wife were downtown and
saw a Black family crossing the street. “That was a rare
sighting in PEI, but not in Egypt.” So he just stopped and
looked, thinking “I haven’t seen a Black family since I left
Egypt 22 years ago. It just goes to show how diverse
the world is now becoming.”
Cultural Connections, UPEI
Photo by Alex MacFadyen
There were a number of submissions, including essays and discussions, that were simply too long to be included in their entirety in the printed version of the zine. We are pleased to offer this material in whole as part of the on-line version of "Diversity Just Is."
Students in Professor Laura Fanning’s class had an on-line discussion about the following question: For many Island students UPEI represents the most culturally diverse community of which they have ever been part. If this is the case for you, has being on campus in anyway challenged your behavior or beliefs? If you are from a different country and/or a more culturally diverse community, have your behaviors and beliefs been challenged by living in a fairly homogeneous society? Explain your answer(s) in detail and respond to AT LEAST THREE (3) other posts in this discussion.
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 11:15 AM
Being that I am a high school graduate from a Prince Edward Island school an ethnically diverse educational environment is not something I would say I had been formally introduced to, prior to attending university. Once attending university I would describe it as a definite eye opener. During high school, as there was not a significant level of diversity, it was never really an issue I was forced to deal with. As such I was never had to think about the issue, and never had to look inside myself for personal opinions on racism and bigotry.
While attending university I found an environment that I perceive as not conducive to opening up levels of discussion between ethnically diverse cultures. As such I had found on campus a perceived barrier between "us" and "them" that had left me feeling bitter. I would in the past give myself a hard time about these feelings, as I felt they were the beginnings of the creation of a racist. I decided to challenge these feelings head on, I decided to trust my instincts and meet some of these “others”, knowing that I had much to gain from the experience. Upon stepping outside my comfort zone and entering theirs’ I immediately made some great friends. It has been a worthwhile experience and I urge anyone else to do it.
Jory Arsenault - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:04 PM
I agree there was not a lot of diversity in high school and while at UPEI it is a huge eye opener. Good job and point on challenging your feelings and going outside your comfort zone and meeting new people, it's not always easy but a good experience to learn from.
Sabrina Doucette - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:15 PM
I agree with you whole heartedly high school was really not a place where diversity was really present or something you have to deal with. High school does not prepare you for what you are going to face in University so really like you said it is like being blind sided and is really a huge eye opener.
I also agree with the “us and them” point you made, we have diverse cultures here in university but we tend to be draw towards people like us and many of us tend to avoid people who are different from us. I think it is stupid and that we should be friends with all sorts of people regardless of their beliefs or where they come from.
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:42 PM
How does the old saying going, "birds of a feather flock together"? It is funny how true that is when even looking at the dynamics of main floor UPEI library. I definitely don't try to avoid people who are different then myself, as you point out some do, but I do find it hard to get involved with others. I find it especially hard to get involved with those who are ethnically different, but have others like themselves on campus. They, like us, gravitate to people similar to themselves so I find all over campus people of the same ethnicity hanging out together.
In these small groups it is a little hard or off putting to join a group of 4-5 people who are all speaking a language you cannot understand. It is also a question of whose responsibility is it to make first contact? I mean yes, we are the majority so it does seem like we should be making them welcome. But in a lot of cases they seem perfectly happy with their own friends and don’t seem to care too much for the rest.
Can it all be treated like a social mixer or party? In which it is our “Canadian” party and we should make the guests feel at home? Or is it our party and guests coming in should introduce themselves? Or is UPEI an international body of sorts, and it is everyone’s responsibility to host the party?
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:44 PM
I think I just want to party.
Yoondo Jung - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:55 PM
It is very true about getting involved with people who are ethnically different. From my experience, I've noticed that people are more comfortable around people with the same race. Jordan, I completely agree with the part where you said "they seem perfectly happy with their own friends and don't seem to care too much for the rest."
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:08 PM
I like your use of this old saying Jordan - "Birds of a feather flock together". It's true, but it isn't written in stone. We can relate freely. Whereas you [Canadians/Islanders] are the majority, I think it is an international party (well coined by you!) and we all are its hosts. We should all work together to make one another feel welcome in our presence, regardless to whose country or province this is. We can all just party! I agree with you on that bit too.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:37 PM
I must start by saying how much I love the picture in your reply! I came in with the opposite experience of yours. I attended high school in Fredericton, New Brunswick. I had never really considered my hometown to be a very diverse place until I walked onto the UPEI campus for the first time. I was shocked at the lack of diversity in many ways. For example, there were very few faces that were not Caucasian, hardly anyone spoke a language other than English, it was hard to get different types of food around Charlottetown, and, to put it bluntly, I had never been in a school without people who were openly gay. The change for me was immense, and I found myself startled by all the variety of faces and voices when I returned home for Thanksgiving during my first year. I have never thought of myself as someone who really noticed skin colour, or other types of diversity that much, but I sure noticed it when it was lacking.
In my third year at UPEI, I had a roommate from Nigeria, and I often saw the startled looks that people gave us when we were out buying groceries together because he looked so different from the "norm." I then left school for quite and extended period of time, and was really pleased to return to such a different environment. It felt much more like my home when I came back and heard many languages, and saw people of many different races all together.
I do find it strange, however, that the university is the most diverse place on the island. I still notice the homogeneous nature of the culture when I am not in Charlottetown, and I hope that some of the people that make the university diverse stay, and make the entire island more diverse!
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:54 PM
It is great that you got to experience much higher levels of diversity then those who grew up on PEI. I think humans, on a different level, like animals or dogs that are not socialized to certain things can become fearful of them. You can almost take it for granted something that you don't have to learn later on in life, such has how to handle diversity. It is so natural to you that when you go without it, it is strange. For some of us to have it around strikes us as strange. I would defiantly like to be in the first position, consider yourself lucky ;)!
Jory Arsenault - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:55 PM
I agree with Jordan and the whole animal example. If you are not use to something or discovering something new you sometimes are afraid and scared to interact or learn. University gives you the chance to socialize and meet the different diversities and the sooner you start to acknowledge diversity the more natural it will come to you later in life.
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 07:39 PM
I just want to acknowledge how good of a point that you made Jory. I truly believe from the socialization aspect that if you pull yourself out of your shell enough times that approaching the situation will become natural. It seems like many people on this forum are describing apprehension or anxiety when it comes to meeting others not like themselves, but the more often you expose yourself to it, the more natural it becomes!
Huifang Xiang - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 11:08 PM
I like the words you said "if you pull yourself out of your shell enough times that approaching the situation will become natural." It encourages me don't be fear to speak in English in public, to attend more diverse activities, and to be a part of here. People always fear to live in a strange environment, because they don't know if the way they do the things is right, and they know nothing about the new environment. I think these people should span this barrier and they will get a valuable feedback at the end.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:20 PM
I do certainly consider myself lucky for many parts of my upbringing, as well as the changes that have occurred on the island in the past ten years. I definitely agree with the sentiment that it can be hard to know who is supposed to be going out of their way to meet the new, more diversified, members of the UPEI family. My solution to that dilemma has been simple. That is, travel everywhere with an eighty pound dog and just wait for people to come and start asking questions.
I have often noticed, in the lounge outside our classroom, that I am now the visible minority! Even at my stage in life, I find it intimidating to approach a large group of students who all know one another. Another part of that is that I feel as though it would be awkward to approach that group and speak English, even though I know that their English is much better than my Chinese!
Upon reflection, I realized that my attitude toward those who are different from me is drastically different depending on whether it is one person or a crowd. When I started university, there was one person in my class who was Chinese and struggled in English, and I became close friends with her, because I felt bad that she did not know anyone else in the faculty. Now, I find myself walking past large groups of international students without so much as saying hello if they are with friends of their own nationality already. So, maybe the increased diversity on campus has actually had a negative effect on my attitude.
Suzanne Nicholson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 02:50 PM
I totally agree with you Katherine. I have had the same experiences. This is my first year at UPEI and feel the exact same way. I grew up in Sackville and Bedford, Nova Scotia and never really did notice the difference in diversity till I came here. One of my best friends from home is black and in Halifax if we were hanging out together we wouldn't be given looks at all because Halifax is so diverse. If we were to hang out over I am sure looks would be given because a white girl and black guy are hanging out. My parents are both from PEI so I have spent a lot of time over here. I find it very rare to see a black person or someone who is Muslim compared to Halifax.
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:19 PM
I agree with you and Katherine, Suzanne. Even though UPEI has a high level of diversity on its own level, there's still not as much diversity as there is in other places, such as Halifax.
Yoondo Jung - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:28 PM
For the past two years many immigrants immigrated to PEI from different countries. Therefore, UPEI have people from the world. On the other hand, just because UPEI have different people from all over the world does not mean UPEI is a fairly diverse university. If you take a walk around the campus, you'll see people hanging out with similar/same ethnic group. Not everyone hangs out with similar/same ethnic group but I see a lot of people with same ethnic group.
Talei Thorkelson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:37 PM
That is a good point Yoondo. Just because there are many cultures it doesn't mean that we are getting to know people from different cultures. How ever it is at least good to see that some Profs are making students go outside there comfort zone to at least work with students in their classes from other countries. That to me is a good start.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:51 PM
This last post strengthened the lingering feeling that I had that UPEI, as a community, contains many people who are becoming more tolerant of diversity, but are not necessarily embracing it. To have a change of behavior is quite different than having a change in belief. In my case, I have changed behavior to avoid the possibility of offending others, but not my belief system. It is a remarkable thing that so many cultures on campus can peacefully coexist, but I would be much more impressed if the cultures were more integrated, instead of just co-habiting a campus, like two cats in the same house. I found it remarkable throughout the evening to read posts from people claiming to have had a change in beliefs, since I do not understand this. Just because we are all surrounded, to one extent or another, by cultural diversity, did that really change a BELIEF, or just outward behavior?
Just to play the Devil’s advocate, it is surely nice to have some variety, since it is apparently the spice of life, but couldn’t we have more meaningful interaction so that it was more a part of the tapestry of our entire lives, rather than just a backdrop of our same old lives, with our same old group of friends? Can’t we all learn to do more than just get along? Can someone help me change something so that I can be among those who have had a change in beliefs?
Yicen Xu - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 07:31 PM
I agree with you. Because my friend study in SFU. She told me in SFU is as diverse as the UPEI campus community. I think that Canadian university is more diverse than Chinese university.
Biwen Luo - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:33 PM
In my opinion, the level of diversity is very high at the Universities in China. This is because there is a lot of students who speak different Chinese languages in China. Even though they usually speak Mandarin with each other, the accent of each of the students are varied. For example, students from Beijing have their own accent and you will discover the difference when you are familiar in Chinese. Also, students who are from different provinces have their own living style. For example, students who are from Si chuan like to eat spicy food and students who are from south like to eat sweet deserts. That's the diversity that I have found in China.
Megan Sheridan - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 07:56 PM
The absence of cultural diversity at UPEI helped both Katherine and I realize that where we had been before was very culturally diverse. At UPEI both Katherine and I seem to have observed the same thing that everyone looks, acts, and talks the same and this isn't just about visible minorities, it also includes sexual preferences. Until Katherine pointed out that there are no people who are openly gay, I hadn't even noticed. This makes me wonder if at UPEI we are sending a message to students that it is more important to be uniform than to encourage diversity. I don't believe these messages are blatant, but are there subtle ways that we communicate this to people?
Suzanne Nicholson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:26 PM
I agree with you Megan. The whole thing with people being openly gay is so different here. When I went to high school it was a regular thing. Everyday I would go about seeing gay people. At my high school they would walk around holding hands and were perfectly fine with it. It was very rare for people to make fun of people who are Gay. Here at UPEI I have not seen anyone who has been openly gay. I think that for me university is not as culturally diverse then high school was.
Nikita MacIntyre - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:26 PM
I agree with Jordan. High school was not a place where diversity was introduced. Coming to university gave me the chance to meet new people from different races. Being open to diversity gives you the chance to gain new knowledge.
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:02 PM
I agree with your perspective on this, Jordan. My high school experience was just like yours. We shared the same culture, and we knew many if not most of the other students. Those who we did not know, we got to know them and as much as possible about them in one week. Talk about homogeneity! It takes some effort to step out of our comfort zone and mingle with people different to us, but definitely worth it. At the end of the day, those differences become minor issues or may not even matter at all.
Jory Arsenault - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:01 PM
Being on campus definitely represents the most diversity I've ever been faced with. In high school everyone kind of knew each other and there was no real issues with diversity that were addressed or even thought of. At UPEI with such a diverse range of students and professors it really makes you realize the culturally diverse community. Being on campus has not really changed my beliefs but more so affected my behavior towards the appreciation and recognition of diversity. Without the chance to experience diversity, such as at a university, it would never be acknowledged.
Sabrina Doucette - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:23 PM
You are so right high school was , like you said, you grew up with the people you are in high school with it really was never an issue you thought about or dealt with when in high school. The point of yours that I really relate to is that "without the chance to experience diversity, such as at a university, it would never be acknowledged." I fully agree with that without a place such as this we would still be in our little communities not recognizing or benefitting from all the different forms of diversity that are out there. I am great full that I have the chance to meet new people and learn about so many different cultures, behavior, and beliefs. The world would really be a dull boring place if we were all the same and acted and believed the same thing life would become meaningless quite quickly.
Nikita MacIntyre - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:58 PM
I agree with Jory. University has also gave me the chance to become more appreciative towards diversity. Coming to university has really opened the doors to meet new people from different races and other parts of the world. In highschool I was not introduced to diversity nearly as much as I am at university. It is giving me the chance to understand different cultures and broaden my knowledge on diversity.
Yicen Xue - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:21 PM
I agree with you. I think that high-school is not introduced to diversity, and university is a small society. It has many international students. Because of this, it led to university became a diversity society. Diversity in university can promote the communication of different culture.
Biwen Luo - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:37 PM
Yes. You are right. At UPEI, there is a lot of professors from different provinces and countries. For example, Span and Japan. During the past few years at the University, I have also discover that the number of Chinese students has been increased from 2007 to 2009. The number is almost double each year. The Chinese culture has begun to penetrate the Canadian culture. More and more people knows about Chinese culture and belief when they attend some Chinese festivals on the island.
JD Geldert - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:23 PM
I agree with Jory, being here hasn't changed my beliefs. I have always believed in accepting and respecting everyone. Being around so many unique and different people help you learn to act and respect the different people around you.
Talei Thorkelson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:29 PM
I agree 100% with you Jory. You really see the diversity at UPEI.
Huifang Xiang - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 11:32 PM
Yes. UPEI is a diversified place where is always holding some diverse activities. It was my first time to live in a totally new and diverse place, I was fear to live here initially, but I have got lots of precious life experience here.
Sabrina Doucette - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:25 PM
As an island student it is expected that coming into an Island University that you are able to just blend in to the University environment and culture. Being the first student in my immediate family to not only graduate from high school but to make it into university puts a whole new level of demands on you. Without the support structure of having the knowledge of what University life is really like you get blind sided with all the pressures of life here. Simple things such as being able to print a paper becomes a challenge because nobody was there to tell you about the computer in the library that allows you to put credit on your account.
As a first in my family I can understand how hard it must be for a foreign student coming in. Foreign students not only have the trouble of being in a completely different environment they also lack the support structure of their family. One thing that foreign students have that I would be great ful for is the support structure of other people who are just like them.
There has been a big behavioral change in my life since I have entered university not only do I have more work to do I must work so much harder to do it. Professors do not hold your hand all the way through like they did in high school everything is now on your own shoulders to deal with. If you do not do something it is on your head and nobody else.
Suzanne Nicholson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:32 PM
I believe that UPEI is a very diverse university, but from where I come from I found it more culturally diverse. I am from Bedford, Nova Scotia and at my high School about 40% of people were white. The rest were from around the world. A lot of them were Muslim or Arab. When there were events going on at my school they were put on by people different from my cultural. When I walk around campus I see it as culturally diverse, but I feel my high school was more culturally diverse then here.
Sabrina Doucette - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 01:41 PM
Really you came from a place that was more culturally diverse? What kind of experiences do you find differ from your high school years to the little time you have spent here? The Island itself is not very diverse we have very little diversity here outside of the University so what was it like growing up with so many different cultures? Did it change the way you view the world around you today, or is it kind of just something normal for you?
Nikita MacIntyre - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:45 PM
I agree with you Sabrina. Coming to university, is a huge transition from highschool. There is a lot more work that has to be done and a great deal of more pressure. It can be very stressful sometimes because you do have to become a more independent student and really buckle down. Being a foreign student and not having the support of family members would be tough and a huge thing to adapt to.
Jory Arsenault - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 07:09 PM
I agree with Sabrina about being the first one to go through university and not knowing how everything works or having people to guide you through things. The foreign students are all very brave to pretty well start a new life in a new place not knowing a lot of people or even anyone. I would imagine it is a frightening experience and it takes a lot of courage. For most islanders who've never attended a school off the island find our own UPEI campus to have a huge variety of diversities. Going to school most of us were from the same cultures so we were never faced with such diversities before university.
Nikita MacIntyre - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:17 PM
Coming to university has definitely changed my beliefs and behaviours toward the subject of diversity. Being in highschool, it seemed like everything was so closed in. I didn't feel as a student we were introduced to diversity. In highschool, I knew or knew of 50% of the students I went to school with. There were a good few of students from other cultures but they usually sought out there own nationality and didn't socialize with Canadian students, possibly because of the language barrier. There wasn't much chance for me to meet new people from different races and other parts of the world. Coming to university you are surrounded by many students from all different races and other parts of the world, who are able to communicate fairly well. It gives you the chance to meet new people and the ability to gather a stronger cultural competence.
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:10 PM
I agree that coming to university presents a great deal of diversity. Like your high school, mine was very familiar, in that we all knew or knew about everyone else. My first college experience was just the same, except there was one guy who was white. At my first job, we had one Asian, but everyone else was black, and all Grenadian. It's here at UPEI that you are surrounded by diverse peoples, and are really able to acknowledge diversity.
Megan Sheridan - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:40 PM
After high school I had the opportunity to travel to a few universities. It is interesting just how different the university campuses are with relation to cultural diversity. First, I traveled to New Brunswick, then Calgary, then Ontario, then back to Prince Edward Island. Although the university on the island is much more culturally diverse than the rest of the island, it still dulls in comparison to other parts of Canada which I have visited.
In Calgary there were many large groups of different races that tended to group together and only some of those students integrated themselves into the main stream. A number of these students were from different countries. In Ontario my experience was that more people of different races integrated themselves, although separation of racial groups still existed. Compared to my experience in these places, UPEI seems less culturally diverse.
Biwen Luo - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:44 PM
Exactly. I have visited Toronto, Ontario few years ago and I have discovered that people are grouped to live in the same area. For example, Korean would like to stay with people with the same race. If you want to have traditional Korean meals, you have to drive yourself to their living areas. Although the level of diversity is very high, people from different countries are not frustrated to adapt the new environment. They integrate their spirit and help each other in same society. We always see that different races of people stay together and have meals in Toronto. That's indicate how much effort people spend on adaption of diversity in Canada.
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:42 PM
I grew up in Grenada, which is in the southern region of the Caribbean, and in my country, society is not as diverse as the UPEI campus community. You were either black, indian or a mixture of both, more commonly. When I was still living at home, an indian though slightly different from me, was still another one of my 'very own' people, since we were from the same place and had the same culture. My country is very small and everybody knows almost everybody.
However, before coming to study on PEI I had gotten quite a bit of exposure to diversity, since I had visited a few different parts of the world. On most of those visits I had been to cities where the culture is very diverse, and I gained some exposure on those terms and became very comfortable talking to, dealing with and learning from people who were different from me in many ways. Yet, those were only short visits.
Coming to UPEI felt a bit different, since the level of diversity was not as much as I had experienced. In my first few weeks on campus, I became overwhelmed by the many stares that greeted me, but I soon got over them.
The way I relate to people has not been challenged by living in a fairly homogenous society because to me, everyone else - whether 'one of us', 'one of them' or 'one of the others' - is just someone like me, but just a little different. This makes life very interesting, and the world a nice place to live.
I definitely find the society here of a more homogeneous nature. There are many different ethnicities and backgrounds represented at UPEI, yet there is not much of a blend. Everyone seems to gravitate towards the people who have something in common with them. However, I try my best not to follow suit. I want the intercultural experience, hence the reason for leaving my 'comfort zone' in the West Indies over two years ago. I believe that people are people no matter where they are from or what they look like or speak, and I do not care about differences. In fact, I find differences quite interesting, and I like being able to freely relate to people who are different from me. It gives me a good feeling.
Yicen Xue - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 05:51 PM
In Chinese university is also not as diverse as the UPEI campus community. I am a transfer student. Before I came to UPEI I never saw any foreign students in my Chinese university because foreign students study in faculty of international that is a different university campus from ours.
Megan Sheridan - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:19 PM
I sometimes wonder what it would be like to visit a university such as Yicen's and be part of a visible minority. I picture myself as the only non-Chinese in a room full of students, at the grocery store, or on the street and imagine how people might stare at me. I wonder what I might feel in that situation and how I would deal with it. I wonder what it would be like to have people make decisions about who I am and what I stand for by the only thing they can see.
I have grown up on an island where many people never leave the island and everyone is either from here or "away." This is a commonly held ethnocentric view. It doesn't seem to me that many islanders put themselves in the position of seeing our culture from the other persons point of view. I wonder if more people reflected on the newcomers position we might have a more culturally diverse island because the newcomer would find themselves embraced.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:32 PM
Your post reminded me of an article and photo I saw in the local paper a few months ago that I thought I would share. It was about a woman who had moved here a decade ago, and like myself, was tired of being referred to as a "CFA" (comes from away) so she made buttons to distribute stating that she was not a CFA, but instead considered herself a "IBC" (islander by choice). I wonder where we could all get those buttons to wear around campus?
JD Geldert - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:18 PM
I also wonder what life would be like being a visual minority. I can only imagine how different it would be from our life now. I bet it would be unique though, and challenging.
Talei Thorkelson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:46 PM
I have to admit that even though I don't experience it at UPEI I have for the 12 years of school I did here on PEI. I was always the minority and sometimes it was good and other times it wasn't. People did stare when I was with my parents in the store because they are Caucasian, and so are my brothers. The situation at first was strange but I have gotten used to it and it seems perfectly normal to me now.
Jordan Profitt - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 07:49 PM
I think Petranella that you have the best of both worlds! You are able to come from a place that is very nurturing where you know almost everyone, Grenada, to a place which may challenge you and provide you with the intercultural experience you were looking for. I am also glad for people like you who are outgoing and open themselves up to those from the area, like us Islanders, so that we can benefit from your differing experiences. Also about that staring bit, well call me crazy, but it happens to rock stars such as you and I!
Yicen Xue - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 06:10 PM
I think that UPEI is a very diverse university. While living in PEI, my behaviors and beliefs have been challenged in certain ways. For example, my major is business, and in my classes I need to do many aural presentations. I am a shy person, and I find this nerve wracking. I do not like speaking in public, and I never had to do that in China. Therefore, this is a big challenge for
me.
On the other hand, make a foreign friend is also a big challenge for me. because in Chinese university is not as diverse as the UPEI campus community. Before I came to UPEI I never saw any foreign students in my Chinese university because foreign students study in faculty of international that is a different university campus from ours. Therefore, I did not have any chance to make a foreign friend before. Moreover, foreign students and I have different culture. Consequently, this is anther challenge for me.
JD Geldert - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:20 PM
I can relate to this and so can others, no one likes speaking in public. I think it is actually the number 1 fear among people, even before death (that’s crazy). I am not that shy of a person but I always feel the nerves in front of people, I think knowing that people aren't judging you and knowing that they feel as nervous as you make it easier.
Biwen Luo - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 08:19 PM
Communicating in English with Canadian is a big challenge for me. when I just came to Canada, I was not accustomed to speak English on campus. I used to chat in Chinese with my friends even though some English speakers with us. At that time, I did not know my behavior was impolite since English speakers here do not understand Chinese. I have tried to keep speak English and speak less Chinese in order to respect other people on campus. However, my custom is not easy to be change and I am still working on this big challenge. In addition, sometimes I feel embarrassed because I do not know choose which language to speak. My embarrassed experience happened when I had a discussion meeting. In the meeting, my Chinese peer asked me a question in Chinese. At that moment, other peers were looking at us so that I did not dare to answered the question.
On the other hand, I did not used to greet other people, especially the people who I was not familiar with. In Canada, greeting other people with smile is a daily custom. At the beginning of living in Canada, I was shy of saying Hello to other people. Along with time passing, I adapt greeting people with smile gradually.
Petranella Mahon - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:51 PM
I understand your situation, Biwen. Never mind, though. It is through situations like this one that we learn about each other, and become better able to acknowledge diversity. Your situation has presented you with the opportunity to learn a new language as well as a new set of customs. It also presents an opportunity for your non-Chinese peers to learn about you and your customs, including greeting protocol. You are doing well by adapting to the daily customs here. I think you will be feeling very comfortable pretty soon!
Huifang Xiang - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:32 PM
Yes, I agree with Biwen Luo. The English still is the biggest challenge for the person whose mother tongue is not English. I am also speaking in English only under the situation I have to. However, it is fact that all of our English is being improved, therefore, I think we just need time to do more practice.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:59 PM
Practice makes perfect! Try to remember, also, that most of the people that you will speak to in English will not be judging you. It may help to know that English is hard to get right sometimes, even when you have been learning it for almost thirty years. You can also remind yourself every day that you are all doing much better in English than most of us would do in your languages! Keep trying, and it will get easier as you go.
Katherine Sweet - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 09:25 PM
I guess that my beliefs have not changed much due to diversification of our university community, but my behaviours sure have. I can now go just a few kilometers from the school and enjoy stellar Thai food! I can also enjoy many other types of cuisine every Saturday at the market, and at many shops around town. I say hurray for diversification!
JD Geldert - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:15 PM
I enjoy the fact that UPEI is very diverse. It is not the first time for me being in a diverse atmosphere. Growing up playing sports there were always people I was surrounded with that were different from myself. The fact that UPEI is so small I feel makes you notice the multiculturalism. When you walk through he quad or through the library it is easy to see how diverse our school is, and if you don't see it there you can easily find it in almost any classroom. We are starting to see more diversity in our high schools, and it all began while I was still in school. Having a diverse high school made it easy for me to be able to live in the diverse world that is UPEI.
Talei Thorkelson - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:25 PM
I have to admit that my experience in high school might be a bit different then other people. I will admit that PEI generally isn't very diverse. During High school I was the different one and everyone else was not like me. There was not a lot of diversity in any of the schools and when I compare my schools to UPEI there is a huge difference. Because of my family, and the way I was raised, and all the traveling to different countries I have seen a lot of diversity and it was not that great of shock coming to UPEI. I like it though I think it's good for students coming from schools around PEI to get the opportunity to experience different cultures and see different people. I image it must be a bit of a shock for them to see that. I think that being a student at UPEI maybe didn't change the way that I think or challenge what I believe in, but it might have made me more aware of the fact that there is more diversity coming to PEI and I welcome that whole heartedly! I think PEI needs a lot of diversity here and people should be open minded to new cultures and beliefs.
Yoondo Jung - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 10:45 PM
I used to live in New York for six month when I was five. I hardly remember it but I somehow got along with the new completely different culture. When I first arrived British Columbia I thought it was very interesting because everyone was Caucasian except for me. The small town in BC wasn’t diverse at all. When I moved to PEI, I was surprised by amount of different people we have. I don't think being on campus challenged my behavior or beliefs about diversity community yet.
Huifang Xiang - Tuesday, 17 November 2009, 11:23 PM
I am an international student here, and I have been here for one and half years. However, I don’t have any Canadian friends who I can talk to and hang out with. It does not mean we (the native the international people) don’t want to communicate or contact each others, it just because like what the Jordan Profit motioned the most of people tend to gravitate with the person who similar to themselves. Thus, our lives not have changed dramatically even we are living in a diversified environment.
The most challenging thing for me living here still is the language problem . My English was improved a lot since I came here, but it still terrible. The language barrier holds me back in many situation s. F or example, when I first time write the easy of the “Acknowledge Diversity”, I understood what these two words mean s , but I couldn’t understand when them were put together, and I was not sure if my comprehension is correct. At that time, I couldn’t talk to anyone and I felt helpless while I was writing this essay. The barrier of language also caused me lost the professors’ lectures in the class, and I have to spend lots of time working on studying after class.
On the other hand, some of my behaviours were changed since I came here. I am not fear to communicate with English people anymore. When I was in China, I fear to say was feared to speak English in public even a short sentence, and in the English class we usually done more reading, writing, grammars and less speaking. I am glad I become more confidence than before. Although the English still bother me all the time, I know my English is being improved. It is good for me.
Nicholas James Matheson
Diversity to me is an array of different things or people in one area. It could be applied to the whole world or just a very small area. To me, acknowledging diversity is recognising different people and cultures, helping new people integrate into your society, and changing the way you think about these people.
The world is a changing place and different people and their cultures are interacting and coming in contact more than ever. Everyone is different, even if they come from the same cultural background and area. By just talking to someone and listening to their story, to me, is acknowledgement. Knowing that people around you are different and do not have the same opinions, and beliefs, is acknowledging diversity. I know that not everyone thinks this, and would rather everyone be like them, but whether they like it or not diversity is all around them.
I think a big part of acknowledging diversity is welcoming and helping different people from around the world into your country or community. By seeing that someone is different and helping them settle into your environment is a huge sign of acknowledgement. People from different areas and cultures may do some things differently and have different needs. If someone is willing to change things in their town, creating classes to help new people learn their language is a huge help. Welcoming diversity into your setting is a really important part of shaping an area and allows many more cultures to follow in the future.
Understanding and being able to accept diversity is a great acknowledgment. When people are asked about something they have never seen before or interacted with, there can sometimes be a negative response, yet people should not pre-judge a culture that they have never been around or interacted with. Most everyone has some kind of judgement about someone before they meet that other person, acknowledging diversity means recognising different people and their cultures, everyone is human. Give them a fair chance.
The world would be a very plain, boring place if it were not for diversity. Differences in people and culture is what shaped the world into what it is today. By helping new people into your society, recognising them, and changing the way you think about them makes it that much easier for diversity to thrive.
Suzanne Nicholson
To acknowledge diversity is to recognize all the different things that go on in the world. Everything can be diverse. The whole world is diverse in many ways whether it be religion, how rich someone is or the kind of music a person listens to.
Acknowledging diversity in religion is a big thing. The different types of religion around the world is very diverse. If you were to look at North America, most people would be Christian, but if you were to look in Africa or the Middle East you would not see a lot of Christians. You would probably see Muslim or Indian people.
Diversity can also be acknowledged by how rich someone is. The diversity of people’s richness in the world is great. There is poverty all over the world. There is not one place in the world where there are not people living on the streets. You can always find someone living on the streets or living on welfare or just poor in general. On the other hand, there are people who are wealthy and can afford to live in a decent house. Then there are really rich people. All these types of people live all over the world.
There are so many types of music in the world. Acknowledging the different type of diverse music is huge. In my family alone we have diverse types of music. My mom likes to listen to the oldies, my dad likes country, my brother likes rock/ heavy metal and I like rap/pop/hip hop. So just in my family there is diversity. In the world there are so many types that diversity is huge.
Joel VanDyk
Diversity is a large part of the world and the people who live in it. Evidence of diversity can be clearly seen in a person’s appearance or lifestyle. However, it can also be hidden, or seen only in what someone believes or feels. Whether people choose to accept that there are differences from one person to the next is totally up to them. Acknowledging diversity is the acceptance or understanding that everyone is different.
The fact that people are different or diverse can be seen most clearly by race. The acknowledgment of racial diversity is a big part of history, though it often led to war and oppression. The Europeans acknowledged the Native peoples of North America as different racially and killed many and enslaved others. The Americans accepted that the Africans were of different race but were quick to think of themselves as superior and enslaved the darker skinned people. Today, while there is certainly still acknowledgement of diversity, peoples of different races generally try to treat each other with respect, especially in Canada and the United States.
Cultural diversity can be associated closely with racial diversity. Along with racial differences, cultural diversity has always been acknowledged due to the immense variety. Today, the differences seen between cultures like the “West” (North America and Europe) and the Middle East are so great that one has to admit that there is diversity.
A dominant and often fought over form of diversity is religion. The amount of beliefs and religions in the world is vast. This many different religious groups has led to conflict, with one group acknowledging that another exists but disagreeing with it. The wars fought between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East over Israel are examples of religious diversity clashes. Religious diversity can be easily acknowledged in some religions.
Acknowledging diversity is something that is an essential aspect of life. Accepting differences in the world makes life easier to live in and rids oneself of confusion regarding the things around them. One meets someone who is different and they accept that. Just because someone is different racially, culturally or religiously does not make him or her any less of a person. All people are equal, but not all people are the same. Acknowledging that is a realistic approach to living a good life.
Jolene Murphy
Taking the time to acknowledge diversity simplifies life because it helps people to better understand each other, therefore helping them accept each other, and in turn reducing the chance of conflict.
We need to acknowledge the differences between us and other people in order to understand them. This was evident whenever I did my interview with Yicen. Race is the major difference that Yicen and I have. Yicen is Chinese, and I am Caucasian. If I had not acknowledged that difference I wouldn’t have noticed a bias that I held which needed to be corrected.
Taking the time to acknowledge the racial differences between Yicen and I allowed me to better accept her. I saw her as a person instead of just ‘Chinese,’ therefore, acknowledging my bias and correcting it. I took the time to get to know her, instead of just moving on. Through the interview process I have made a new friend instead of an enemy, and I understand her better.
Not accepting people and their differences from oneself leaves the opportunity for a conflict to arise. A conflict could have arisen, had I not taken time to acknowledge the racial difference between Yicen and me. If I had ignored our differences I would have expected her and I to be able to communicate clearly and with ease. When we could not communicate, each of us would have gotten frustrated, blamed each other, and given up, instead of becoming friends. Acknowledging diversity allowed me to avoid conflict with Yicen by making an effort to understand and accept her.
Acknowledging diversity helps people to better understand each other, accept each other, and reduces the chance of conflict over peoples’ differences. Therefore acknowledging diversity simplifies life.
Megan Sheridan
I think that taking the time to acknowledge diversity is not complicated, it may even simplify my life. If I take the time to acknowledge how diverse our society is as well as each person in it, I may find that the consequences are positive. The effects of such acknowledgment could even have an impact on my career.
It doesn't take much thought or time to try and pay attention to all the diversity floating around my everyday life. By making a conscious effort to pay attention to my surroundings as I go about my everyday life it is quite obvious to see that our society has all sorts of differences. I watch how people interact, what they wear, and how they socialize. To notice all these different aspects of our society doesn't take much effort or much time out of my day. All it involves is paying attention to my surroundings as I go about my everyday life.
In addition to the diversity in our society I can see diversity between individuals in the same society. For example, even between two close friends I can most times see much diversity between how each of their family's function. To take the time to acknowledge the diversity in the lives of your friends is not complicated or time consuming and could help better understand friends.
By acknowledging diversity in our society as well as the individuals in the society I gain a better understanding of the world around us. This gain in knowledge can help in many ways to understand people I socialize with, work with, or go to school with. When in my chosen career path this knowledge may help me better understand clients or give me a better idea about the people I might be trying to sell a product to.
In conclusion, I believe that it is evident that making an effort to acknowledge diversity is not complicated or time consuming, and may simplify my life. This simplification comes from helping me to better understand the world around me and the people in it.
Katherine Sweet
There are many different types of diversity that can be discussed in society. For example, cultural, racial, religious, and gender diversity can be found in most groups of people. Taking the time to acknowledge diversity complicates life because speech must be monitored to ensure inclusion of all, statements must be repeated or explained at times to clarify meaning, and time must be taken to learn about and understand cultural or religious differences. As a result of these requirements, acknowledging diversity complicates life.
The primary requirement for acknowledging diversity that complicates life is the need to monitor language to make it more inclusive. For example, the use of gender specific names like mailman must be excluded in favour of a more gender neutral name, like mail carrier. Another example would be the elimination of casual use of some words, like God, to avoid offending someone more religious than the speaker. For these reasons, acknowledging diversity complicates life.
In addition to monitoring speech, statements must be repeated or explained, at times, to clarify meaning. For example, in a group with diversity, or differences, in native language, there are times when a word may not be known or understood. In this case, time and care must be taken to explain a statement, or reiterate it using other words, which can complicate life.
Finally, time must be taken to learn about and understand different cultural or religious practices. For example, learning about members of certain Muslim religions who need to wash thoroughly after coming in contact with a dog prior to praying, took time for me to learn and understand. Also, saying grace before starting a meal, or praying before bed when surrounded by those who feel strongly about doing so complicates life. Taking the time to learn about these differences aids in acknowledging diversity, but also complicates life.
Diversity, whether racial, cultural, religious, or gender, is all around us. There are many things that can be done to acknowledge diversity, such as monitoring speech to ensure inclusion, repeating speech when needed, and taking the time to learn about cultural and religious differences. These considerations complicate life while acknowledging diversity.
Dr. Jennifer Taylor gave her students a “Communications and Cultural Diversity” assignment posing the question: For many Island students, UPEI represents the most culturally diverse community of which they have ever been part. If that is the case for you, has being on campus in any way challenged your behaviour or beliefs? If you are from a more culturally diverse part of the country or world, have your beliefs and behaviour been challenged by now living in a province that is fairly homogenous? The students' responses are grouped according to whether they have always lived in PEI, or whether they from "away."
Always Lived in PEI
I was more cautious about what I said because I didn’t want to offend anyone, but I am becoming more comfortable in mixed groups and can share my thoughts more freely now.
My beliefs and behaviours change after each encounter with someone with different ideologies than I, and each of these experiences helps me grow as a person.
When starting at UPEI I found it difficult at the beginning to adjust to having people of different race and ethnic background in my classes. I came from a school where there wasn’t one individual who was of a different color. Every student and teacher was Caucasian.
When I went to a big city, for the first time, I was the minority. When I stepped onto the city bus and looked around, there wasn’t a single Caucasian individual on the bus. I was now on the opposite side of the tracks and knew what it felt like to be the outsider.
…last week at the Student Union building every day at lunch there was a different group of students, from different cultural backgrounds, set up serving their cultures traditional foods to people passing by. Some of these students were even dressed in their traditional dress. This was such an excellent idea, because it gave a chance for everyone to mix and mingle and ask questions.
[My new friends from other cultures] challenge my behaviours and beliefs all the time. Not to be rude, but to show me the differences between cultures. There are many times that we have agreements because we don’t see eye to eye on a situation like religion…
[After becoming friends with students from other countries] the most important thing I have learned is that although they may be different in color and religion they still commonly have the same goals and morals I do.
It makes you feel like you are a part of something so much bigger which is a great feeling.
University is a place where students step out of their usual comfort zone because they have to meet new people in different classes.
I feel that diversity in the UPEI campus provides students with more benefits then challenges. I find that if I am accepting of differences and willing to learn, that meeting people from other cultures is fairly easy. This may sound cliché but honestly, it does not matter where the person is from, if you show them love and respect you will be able to find something in common with them.
Born/Lived Elsewhere
I find it difficult sometimes to share thoughts and ideas with people who seem content with life on the Island and do not accept views about other cultures or ideas from different backgrounds.
In a place like this province, it is easy to stay with what you know and shut off any outside perspective.
People tend to assume things (about my culture) that they hear/see on television…
There are other culturally diverse groups on PEI, for example Asian immigrants, but I find that Islanders do not socially accept them as much as they would where I am from. They are on the outside of local PEI society, they are not included.
The younger generation and Islanders that have done some travelling seem to be more laid back, accepting and open minded.
Dr Fiona Papps offered bonus points to students writing about diversity. Charlotte Monaghan embraced the opportunity and created three wonderful pieces, one of which appears in the printed zine, and two which appear in this on-line version.
A Patchwork of Humanity at the Motor Vehicle Registry
by Charlotte Monaghan
Dear Journal,
Turned seventy-five yesterday, children and grandchildren off tending to their own lives. Had lunch with Ruth. Only friend left who seems able to spare me some time. Afterwards, went to the motor vehicle registry office to pay for another year of driving. On the way in, I noticed a couple walking out of the pharmacy arm and arm. Their skin was as brown as the bay gelding I used to ride those many years ago; India perhaps – they could have been from there, or from the neighbour Pakistan .... can’ tell. The motor vehicle registry office was packed, and wouldn’t you know it, a trio of black, nervous-looking people were standing talking to one of the tellers. The woman was gesturing; I would suppose her command of the English language might have been “wanting.” Her two male companions just stared at her. Next to this little drama was an elderly Asian man, looking quite well-to-do. Japanese, I guess. Rich undoubtedly.
Not that far back in the past, you never saw but white people on the street. Why, I saw my first person of colour when I was twenty-seven, and that was in Halifax. Maybe they were here, but I never saw ‘em. Next to me, sitting just as if nothing was amiss, was a very thin young man with the scariest tattoos I have ever seen! Down one arm was a series of horrible skulls. Why, I wanted to move! But I was held there, nearly afraid he would take it as an insult and perhaps follow me home. He would see I live alone, then boom! I would become another skull on that skinny arm.
Finally, after a long tedious wait, I got to see the teller and gee-whiz this woman was as much a man as ever I saw, sported a crew cut, and something in her nose that looked like a needle. I have to admit, she was good to me, despite her looks (or lack thereof). All this makes me wonder when this little island got to be so – worldly. I have to wonder if its been good for us, all these strange people of all colours coming here to our little island. Our forefathers came here to settle, worked hard.... What would they think of all these colourful people? But I suppose, when the forefathers came here, the poor Native people thought “who the heck are those guys?”
I guess all of these newcomers are here to stay. Heaven knows our ancestors were. But I have to admit, these colourful newcomers will probably treat us old-timers better than my forefathers did the Indians. Change, even in this little corner of the world. The faces I see now in the street remind me of a patchwork quilt. Do I like it? I do so like a nice colourful patchwork quilt – that’s all I’m saying. – Elizabeth
The Calling
by Charlotte Monaghan
Jill was three weeks away from being ordained as a United Church Minister. Three weeks until her life was fulfilled. She had been born the last child in a family of eleven children. They had no money to speak of, her father had been an alcoholic, and her mother a nurse. Her father fished when anyone would hire him, and he had the winters off. Her mother had babies seemingly between shifts at the Souris Hospital.
There was to be a special sermon next Sunday in St. Luke’s United Church, the church of her childhood. The topic given to her was, “Diversity in our modern society – a complication or a simplification when brought to our attention.” Jill puzzled over the title. Sure, she thought, there is an amazing kaleidoscope of humanity walking upright out there. She had counselled First Nations youth in Northern Ontario – beautiful children caught in a deep current, and drowning in glue and solvents while their parents drank themselves silly, falling further into a horrible abyss. It would surely have been easier to keep your head down and ignore that diversity.
The page remained blank while Jill thought about the question. Does the act of acknowledging something give one more to process? Does the very act itself force one to notice more and more differences in this naked ape called humankind? Or does the act of acknowledging our differences make our senses expand, and when confronted with differences in customs, dress, laws, and morals, we are at ease and can believe in the inherent right of all humans to be as different as snowflakes, no two the same?
Now, Jill thought, what if on the other hand taking time to acknowledge all of our differences in reality gives life a more singular belief that there are so many facets to human existence that one may as well relax and let the diversity flow though our consciousness like a stream heading for the river.
Jill turned on the news. A bombing in Iraq – 130 killed. Women in veils. Shrouded in black, men bloodied, bodies being taken away. Surely this sort of diversity does not lend itself to any simplification. The next news item was about the annual pride parade. Floats lit up the screen with outrageously dressed men dancing. This bold expression of a sexuality that was once hidden brings complexity to thought. The news ended with an article about a woman born without legs who successfully held up a bank in London and escaped with her accomplice who was blind. Wow, thought Jill, there’s diversity for you!
Jill went back to her page and began. To acknowledge anything and give it thought always causes a complexity of ideas to form. Yet, on the other hand, in this modern world we are constantly bombarded with a myriad of complexity via newspapers, books, and TV. Even around us day-to-day we are faced with many diverse individuals. Never taking the time to acknowledge and think about these vast differences causes us to live in a sort of naive seclusion. However, by thinking about these great intense difference, we can be more attuned to this wonderful, complex, ands mysterious world. For the first time, Jill realized that her calling gave her a freedom she had not before realized. World, she thought, bring it on. I’m ready!
