I am a firm believer that multicultural understanding is a necessary part of one’s individual development. After a mere four months at Earl Haig, I have learned a great deal about many areas of the world to which I had little previous exposure. I am ashamed to admit that, prior to my new friendships, the most I knew about India came from Slumdog Millionaire, and the first thing that came to my mind if someone spoke of Russia would have been Boney M’s Rasputin. I decided to interview several Earl Haig students about how coming to Toronto has perhaps changed their relationship with their heritage.
Here, in Toronto, it is socially acceptable to adapt traditions to personal preference. As this is the most multicultural city in the world, families are exposed to many diverse perspectives, which allows for more “out-of-the-box” thinking in regards to their own culture. Yet, along with the mixing of so many backgrounds, there is also the desire to preserve the individuality of cultural heritage. It is difficult to find a balance between learning and engaging in other cultures and preserving personal traditions, a challenge that my friends have each met in different ways.
Julia Brachtchenko, a fellow grade twelve student, whose family emigrated from Russia when she was five, told me about the first few years after she arrived in Canada. She spoke of being prepared to have to adapt quickly to culture shock, by integrating herself into a community of Canadians with their own predetermined set of values. Yet, she was surprised to find a very different and far more attentive atmosphere. Programs were in place that set her up with other Russian immigrants, who would help her to adjust in Canada. Because of this attention to individuality early on, Julia’s Russian heritage remains a large part of her identity.
Another Earl Haig senior, Insiya Zia, whose family comes from Pakistan, spoke to me of some of the freedoms that come with living amongst those who do not share the social expectations of one’s background. Within a homogenous culture one is judged by the standards of hierarchy set by tradition. When coming into a multicultural environment, this is no longer the case. One has the freedom of being judged individually, for one’s unique values.
However, she also noted that this same general lack of conformity to cultural expectations can create uncertainty about social boundaries. For example, if, due to tradition, one does not date, it can be difficult to interact with those who are not aware of the existence of these cultural boundaries. She explains that this is one of the reasons she wore a hijab, or headscarf. Upon first arriving at Earl Haig, it was a good way to communicate her cultural heritage. Yet, she has also recently begun to experiment with her own personal preferences, by going without a hijab.
This freedom to experiment is one of the greatest strengths of a multicultural environment and one of the reasons that it is so important to maintain our multiculturalism. It creates a more accepting atmosphere, in which one can explore different options and make decisions based on personal preference. She may wear a hijab, she may not, or perhaps she will only on occasion. No one can begrudge her final decision because in the end the choice is hers.
