Multiculturalism at its best

Fort Rouge

Multiculturalism is at its best during Folklorama.

Have you ever attended the Folklorama kick-off? It used to be at the Forks, but it has outgrown that venue and now it is at Assiniboine Park. I look forward to this event every year. There is something magical about watching cultures on display providing us with a bird’s eye view of the world right here in our backyard. How fortunate are we to be living in Canada, a country that protects human rights, cultural rights, religious rights, and the right to be ourselves.

Even though I come from a multicultural background, which exists in Guyana, it differs from my experience in Canada. In Winnipeg, one of Canada’s most diverse cities, I met people I’d only read about before coming here.

As we learn about others we learn about ourselves and what makes us human, we learn that no matter your colour, your religion, your sex or any of those superficial markers, we all need the same things in life. We need love, compassion, and dignity. We have the same yearnings for our children’s future, and that they may live richer, fuller lives than us, their parents. We learn that we are one people in different outfits and at the end of the day we all shed our outfits and accumulations to enter our eternal homes and leave everything behind.

Multiculturalism is not only about cultural niceties and acceptance, but also about economic, scientific, and educational excellence for any country, province, city that embraces diversity. The world cannot return to its bland sometimes yearned for monocultural environment, not when our eyes are open to beauty, mystery and the dynamic interplay of human beings coming together in love, family and eclectic perspectives fueled the most by our shrinking world that our communication systems on steroids have gifted us with. Who wants to return to plain rice and beans, meat and potatoes or spaghetti and tomato sauce, when we could have all that and much more! Think about sushi, butter chicken, Jamaican patty, jerk chicken, burritos. The presence of diverse cultures contributes to a varied harmonious society.

Folklorama is a big business underneath that glitter and glam. People go to Folklorama pavilions for the whole works: the food, the drink, and souvenirs. Organizations rent venues.

Immigrants from the multicultural communities add and do not subtract, they help economies with their taxes, provide employment with their small or large businesses, they help to build social capital with their skills be it in music, arts. athleticism, or brilliance. Multiculturalism is great for business, and we do not have to apologize for our presence and vital contributions to making our world a better place.

Multiculturalism is a sign of human evolution on planet earth. Certain individuals may express opposition to the advancement currently shaping global trends. However, it is not a train that anyone can stop or turn back. Diversity is strength, it offers hope, and it offers beauty and variety. Thank you, Canada, for embracing multiculturalism as a governing policy.