Canada's Multiculturalism - Worth Defending | Amira Elghawaby | TEDxOttawa

TEDx Talks
6 Dec 201919:14
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis script narrates a personal journey of growing up in multicultural Canada, embracing differences, and the challenges faced post-9/11. It highlights the importance of representation, the rise of discrimination, and the need for unity and diversity. The speaker advocates for understanding, empathy, and active participation in fostering inclusive communities, emphasizing the role of education, media, and individuals in combating racism and promoting equity.

Takeaways
  • 📍 The speaker grew up in Ottawa's East End in the 80s, where she felt a sense of belonging despite cultural differences.
  • 🚫 The school hotdogs were a symbol of exclusion due to dietary restrictions, highlighting the feeling of being 'different' in childhood.
  • 🏫 School principal Mr. Ron Coleman encouraged the speaker to embrace her differences, which was a pivotal moment in her embracing multiculturalism.
  • 🌟 The speaker's high school experience, particularly the multicultural club, further reinforced the value of diversity and pride in one's heritage.
  • 🎓 University was a place of belonging and learning, but also a realization of the ignorance she had about systemic discrimination and racism.
  • 🧕 The decision to wear a headscarf was a personal choice to explore spiritual faith, which was initially met with resistance from her father due to societal prejudice.
  • 📰 As a journalist, the speaker faced the reality of underrepresentation and discrimination, and worked to dispel stereotypes.
  • 🌐 Post-9/11, the speaker witnessed a rise in Islamophobia and discrimination, which challenged her optimistic view of Canadian multiculturalism.
  • 🗣️ Advocacy became a part of her journalism, standing up against racist policies and defending human rights for all Canadians.
  • 👥 The speaker calls for a collective effort to nurture inclusive communities, emphasizing the importance of representation in media, politics, and education.
  • 🌈 She concludes with a message of hope, urging everyone to embrace and protect diversity, and to be champions of unity, diversity, and love.
Q & A
  • What was the narrator's childhood like in Ottawa's East End during the 1980s?

    -The narrator grew up in Ottawa's East End in the early 1980s, a time when there weren't many newly arrived immigrants. They felt a part of the community, participating in various activities such as Christmas tree lighting, caroling, and trick-or-treating, but experienced a sense of difference due to dietary restrictions, like not being able to eat school hotdogs.

  • How did Mr. Ron Coleman influence the narrator's life?

    -Mr. Ron Coleman, a school principal, taught the narrator to embrace her differences. He encouraged her and her friends to present on Islam at a school assembly, which was a significant moment for her in embracing multiculturalism.

  • What role did multiculturalism play in the narrator's high school experience?

    -In high school, the narrator was deeply involved with the school's multicultural club, which was a source of inspiration and motivation. The club, led by Monsieur Mikolaj, allowed students to share their cultural heritage and pride through events like the annual multicultural show.

  • How did the narrator's perception of Canada change after 9/11?

    -After 9/11, the narrator realized the extent of racism and discrimination faced by Muslims and those perceived as Muslims. This event made her more aware of the challenges and marginalization that many people face, despite Canada's reputation for multiculturalism.

  • What was the narrator's father's concern regarding her decision to wear a headscarf?

    -The narrator's father was worried that her decision to wear a headscarf would create barriers for her, fearing it would stand in the way of her career goals and make it harder for her to fit in and succeed in Canadian society.

  • How did the narrator respond to her father's concerns about her wearing a headscarf?

    -The narrator reassured her father by expressing her confidence in Canadian society's acceptance of diversity, inspired by her past experiences and the people who supported her. She argued that if she couldn't be true to herself in Canada, where else could she?

  • What challenges did the narrator face as a Muslim woman in the media industry?

    -The narrator faced the reality of underrepresentation in newsrooms, where the majority of reporters, editors, and columnists were often male and of a different demographic. She also witnessed the rise of Islamophobia and discrimination post-9/11, which affected her community and her work as a journalist.

  • How did the narrator's journalism evolve in response to the challenges faced by her community?

    -The narrator's journalism evolved into advocacy, as she found herself at the forefront of defending human rights and fighting against racist policies and misinformation. She joined civil society groups to stand up against discrimination and promote unity and diversity.

  • What actions does the narrator suggest to nurture inclusive communities?

    -The narrator suggests getting to know each other, sharing smiles, voting for diverse candidates, supporting officials who listen to all communities, addressing systemic discrimination in workplaces, expecting diverse media narratives, and ensuring education tells the truth about Canada's history and represents all students' experiences.

  • What message does the narrator convey about the importance of standing up for diversity and inclusion?

    -The narrator emphasizes that as long as there are people willing to listen, accept, and protect each other's differences, there is hope for unity and positive change. She calls for everyone to be champions of diversity, equity, and love.

  • How does the narrator reflect on the current state of discrimination and hate crimes in Canada?

    -The narrator expresses concern over the rise in hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims, Jewish people, black people, and other minorities. She mentions the impact of events like the Quebec City mosque shooting and the Christchurch massacre on her community, highlighting the need for systemic change and empathy.

Outlines
00:00
🌈 Embracing Multiculturalism in School

The first paragraph narrates the speaker's childhood experiences in Ottawa's East End during the 1980s, highlighting the cultural diversity and the challenges of feeling different due to dietary restrictions. The speaker recounts how a school principal, Mr. Ron Coleman, encouraged embracing differences by inviting the speaker and friends to present on Islam at a school assembly. This experience marked the beginning of the speaker's appreciation for multiculturalism, which continued into high school through the multicultural club and annual multicultural show, fostering a sense of belonging and pride in one's heritage.

05:01
🧕 The Impact of 9/11 on Muslim Identity

In the second paragraph, the speaker discusses the personal decision to wear a headscarf and the ensuing challenges, including concerns from her father about fitting in and succeeding in Canada. Despite initial reservations, the speaker's experiences with supportive figures like Mr. Coleman and others gave her the confidence to embrace her faith openly. However, the events of 9/11 drastically changed societal perceptions, leading to increased discrimination and Islamophobia. The speaker's work as a journalist at the Toronto Star and her observations of the media's role in perpetuating stereotypes underscore the ongoing struggle for representation and acceptance.

10:04
🚨 The Rise of Discrimination and Advocacy

The third paragraph delves into the speaker's transformation from journalism to advocacy in response to the surge in discrimination against Muslims and other minorities post-9/11. The narrative describes the fear and suspicion faced by Muslim women, including the removal of headscarves for safety. The speaker's advocacy work involves standing against racist policies and misinformation spread through social media, highlighting the need for unity and the protection of human rights for all Canadians.

15:06
🌟 Fostering Inclusive Communities

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of nurturing inclusive communities by standing up for diversity and challenging systemic discrimination. The speaker calls for action in various sectors, including media, schools, and workplaces, to ensure representation and equity. The paragraph concludes with a hopeful message about the power of unity, diversity, and love, and the speaker's belief in the potential for positive change through collective effort, ending with a metaphorical call to 'fill up on multicultural kool-aid' and the acknowledgment that there is room for everyone, symbolized by the availability of diverse hotdogs for all.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism refers to the presence and acceptance of diverse cultural backgrounds within a society. In the video, it is a central theme, depicted as a uniquely Canadian value embraced by the speaker from childhood through adulthood. The speaker recalls experiences like the school's multicultural club and the annual multicultural show as formative in fostering an inclusive and diverse community.
💡Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid is used metaphorically to represent the acceptance and embracing of multiculturalism. The speaker uses the term to describe her realization and appreciation of cultural diversity, starting from a school presentation about Islam to being part of a multicultural club in high school. Drinking the 'Kool-Aid' symbolizes her commitment to multicultural values despite challenges.
💡Islamophobia
Islamophobia refers to prejudice against, hatred towards, or fear of Muslims or Islamic culture. The video details the speaker’s experiences with increasing Islamophobia, especially after 9/11, leading to visible changes in how Muslims, including herself, are treated. The term illustrates the societal challenges and discrimination faced by Muslims in Canada.
💡Representation
Representation refers to the presence and inclusion of diverse groups in various sectors of society. The video highlights the lack of representation of people of color and Muslims in newsrooms and leadership positions. The speaker’s journey as a journalist breaking barriers by being the first woman in a headscarf in a newsroom underscores the ongoing need for better representation.
💡Racism
Racism is discrimination or prejudice based on race. The speaker discusses the evolution of her understanding of racism, especially following 9/11. She recounts personal experiences of racism and how it affects her and other minority communities, emphasizing the rise of white supremacy and the need for societal change to combat systemic racism.
💡Systemic Discrimination
Systemic discrimination refers to entrenched and institutionalized discrimination within societal systems. The video describes how systemic discrimination manifests in public institutions and workplaces, often making it difficult for minorities to advance or feel included. The speaker calls for addressing these systemic issues to ensure true diversity and equity.
💡Charter of Rights and Freedoms
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a foundational legal document in Canada that guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all citizens. The speaker references the Charter to emphasize the importance of protecting everyone's rights equally, highlighting its role in advocating for equity and inclusion against discriminatory practices.
💡Identity
Identity refers to the qualities, beliefs, and expressions that make up an individual. The speaker’s journey of exploring and affirming her identity as a Canadian Muslim woman of Egyptian heritage is a key narrative. Her decision to wear a headscarf and navigate societal challenges underscores the importance of embracing one's identity in the face of adversity.
💡Inclusion
Inclusion involves creating environments where all individuals feel valued and respected. The video discusses efforts to foster inclusion in schools, workplaces, and public institutions. The speaker’s experiences with inclusive practices, like her school’s multicultural events, contrast with the exclusion she later faces due to her faith and ethnicity.
💡Advocacy
Advocacy is the act of supporting or arguing for a cause or policy. The speaker transitions from journalism to advocacy, defending human rights and combating racism. Her involvement in civil society and efforts to push back against discriminatory policies highlight the role of advocacy in driving social change and protecting marginalized communities.
Highlights

The story is about growing up in Ottawa's East End in the early 80s, marked by cultural references like Inspector Gadget and Brian Mulroney as Prime Minister.

The narrator's parents encouraged participation in all cultural activities, but the school hotdogs were off-limits due to concerns about pork content.

A school principal, Mr. Ron Coleman, played a significant role in helping the narrator embrace their differences by inviting them to present on Islam at a school assembly.

The narrator's multicultural experiences continued into high school, where they were inspired by the multicultural club and a teacher, Monsieur Mikolaj Apollon, who promoted cultural pride.

In university, the narrator felt a strong sense of belonging and was open to learning about various perspectives, unaware of systemic discrimination issues at the time.

The decision to wear a headscarf was significant for the narrator, despite their father's concerns about potential barriers and discrimination.

The narrator found success as a journalist, becoming the first woman in a headscarf to work in the newsroom at the Toronto Star.

The events of 9/11 marked a turning point, highlighting the rise of Islamophobia and systemic racism, which deeply impacted the narrator and their community.

The narrator's journalism evolved into advocacy, focusing on defending human rights and combating racist policies and attitudes.

The rise of social media exacerbated the spread of misinformation and hate, with some politicians exploiting these sentiments for support.

The narrator's experiences with discrimination, including personal attacks and systemic exclusion, highlight ongoing challenges for minorities in Canada.

Despite increased racism, the narrator remains hopeful, believing in the power of community and individual actions to create positive change.

The narrator emphasizes the importance of representation in media and public institutions, advocating for more diverse and inclusive narratives.

Education is seen as crucial for truth-telling and representing the diverse experiences of all students, with a call for more diverse teachers.

The conclusion calls for collective action against fear and division, promoting equity, inclusion, and a renewed embrace of multicultural values.

Transcripts
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