Canada
The evolution of a 1960s ideal
Panelists discuss tlie difference between diversity and multiculturalism.
PAT JOHNSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
Multiculturalism and diversity are terms used interchangeably ■ by many Canadians, particularly politicians who want to appear sensitive to minority voters. But the terms have distinct meanings and their conflicting definitions could have a dramatic impact on Canada, according "to panelists at a recent Vancouver forum.
Traditionally,' Canada has been dubbed a "mosaic," which is differentiated from the American-style "melting pot," in that Canadians of various origins are explicitly encouraged to main- . tain their distinct identities, while Americans are encouraged • to adapt themselves to an overall norm.
Neither of these theories represents exact science. However, Canadian federal government policy, since the 1960s, has deliberately encouraged multiculturalism.
Prof. Mark Wexler, a Simon Frascr University professor of applied ethics, offered an analysis of the views of Canada's multiethnic makeup. He was one of six panelists at the public forum, entitled Can Multiculturalism Sur-. vive Diversity? at the Norman Rothstein Theaf.re Oct. 29.
Multiculturalism and diversity have the same ultimate intent to create an inclusive identity strengthened by diflercnces, said Wexler. But while multicultur-, alism celebrates our many differences for their own sakes, Wexler described "diversity" as a market-driven variation, which sees Canadians' mixed heritages as a tool by which we can tangibly profit For example, the many languages spoken by Canadians can prove a financial boon to international trade.
In practical terms, he added,, multiculturalism is sponsored by the state and is by definition hi- . erarchical; it protects differences and defines Canada as a community of communities.
Diversity represents the creation of an "interlocking team" to work togedicr for the greater economic good. Wexler wryly described multiculturalism as a system through which we learn to argue with each other effectively. Diversity advocates would prefer we not argue at all, emphasizing bur mutual self-interest rather than our diflercnces.
Wexler stressed that diversity and multiculturalism are not synonyms. But the forum's title should also not imply that the two arc opposites, he said. The
nuances are many, but Wexler said this is not merely a semantic argument. Whether Canadian policy morphs from multiculturalism to diversity could have a profoimd impact on how we view ourselves and the outside world.
Victor Goldbloom, who travelled from Montreal to participate in the forum, was the first Jew appointed to a Quebec cabinet, in 1970, and went on to become Canada's commissioner of ofRcial languages.
A conflict between diversity and multiculturalism, Goldbloom said, should not be surprising because social changes have caused us to rethink many things we once considered static. The idea of multiculturalism that existed in the 1960s is - and should be -difibrent from the ideas we have today, said Goldbloom.
"We have, perhaps, different thoughts today than we did [when Canada explicitly adopted multiculturalism policy]," he said. "If there were a sharply defined definition of multiculturalism, we wouldn't be here tonight"
Not only has Canada changed over time, he suggested, but "ethnic" Canadians have changed too. As a Jewish Canadian, he said, he has a remarkably different view of his place in society than did his immigrant grandparents. These changes are due in part to external changes (a century has passed and this country has changed) as well as internal factors (being an immigrant is different from being a third-generation member of a minority commimity).
Sen. Mobina Jafier, Canada's. first Muslim senator, said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have had a disastrous impact on our cultural cohesion. Perhaps because she was an immigrant and certainly because she held a special passport (the imusual passport was issued to her because she is a senator, not because she is an immigrant), she was diverted for special attention before flying back from the United States shortly after the attacks.
"The brutal treatment I received I will never forget," she said.
At the risk of muddying the rhetorical waters, Jaffer said she prefers the term "pluralism" to "diversity" because it implies togetherness.
Also on the panel was Mason Loh, past chair of the Chinese-Canadian social service agency SUCCESS (United Chinese Community Enrichment Services
Society). Loh said Canada has been a destination for many immigrants because of its explicit miilticultural policy. The preservation and encouragement of cultural differences has drawn immigrants who could have gone to the more economically powerful United States, he said.
Gian Sandhu, a Sikh community leader and business operator, offered economic critiques of the policy. Canada's personal connections to so many other countries provides an economic boon, especially in an increasingly glob-alized economy, he said. The advantages worldwide are excel-. lent, but problems arise at hoine, he argued.
Politicians have let multicul- ^ turalism down, Sandhu said. Part of the aim of multiculturalism should be the elimination of discrimination, but no major strategic plan has been put in place to this end. Just as' ad campaigns have helped reduce drunk driving while increasing the stigma attached to such behavior, racism has not been subjected to so concerted an approach.
Margot Young, a University of B.C. law professor, discussed legal intricacies in multicultural policy. Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees equality before the law for all Canadians, she noted, but Ca-. nadian courts and governments have also noted that equality of outcome does not equal equality of treatment. The context of a person's experience is often considered in courts, for example, which have treated aboriginal peoples differently in the interest of equality.
The event was sponsored by Canadian Jewish Congress, SUCCESS, the B.C. Human Rights Coalition, the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of B.C. and funding was provided by tlie B.C. Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services.
The panel discussion was hosted by former premier Ujjal Dosanjh who, earlier that day, was reported to be considering a run for federal office witli tlic liberal party. Dosanjh said in a scrum before the forum began that his emphasis now is on his law practice, but he refused to explicitly deny that he is working with the Liberals or on former finance minister Paul Martin's leadership campaign. □
Pat Johnson is a native Vancouverite, a journalist and commentator.
University strilces gold
Diamond lecture covers rabbinic Judaism's beginnings.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
The Norman Rothstein Theatre became a university lecture hall Oct. 26. Some 150 students-for-a-night came out to hear University of British Columbia Prof. Rabbi Robert Daum, the school's new Diamond chair in Jewish law and ethics, give his inaugimil lecture. ■ In his academic address, entitled Mything the Point: The Founding Moment of Rabbinic . Judaism, Daum presented a veiy detailed overview of what is considered to be the formative stage ' of rabbinic Judaism, the period between the fall of the Temple in 70 CE and .the defeat of Bar Kochba in 135 CE. He set out to answer four- questions with which the founders would have been faced:" Who is in charge how? How will ihe law be determined? Are there limits to the authority of the new leaders? and What will be Jerusalem's status , without the Temple?
The transition to a text-based Jewish culture able to survive without Temple or priesthood took place mainly at the legendary rabbinic academy of Yavneh, explained Daum. It is said to have been completed by the sages of Yavneh, the Tan-naim, however, Daum believes that the emergence of rabbinic Judaism took several centuries after the Tannaitic-era sages left Yavneh. He also described it as a far more complex process than the period's texts and later sources suggest,
In response to his four questions, Daum concluded that the talmudic sages presented themselves as the heirs to Moses. As
for how laws would be determined, Daum said the rabbis rejected an ongoing role for prophecy and insisted on a balance between received traditions . and new insights of members of the rabbinic scholar class, with interpretation based on precisely formulated parameters. The rabbis agreed that local custom must be respected, said Daum, and they stopped short of transferring Uie sanctity of Jerusalem to any other location. • .
Prof. Phillip Harding, chair, department of classical, near eastern and religious studies at UBC, opened the evening, thanking the Diamond family for their "courage and foresight" in investing in the chair. The position was co-funded by the Diamonds and the university.
Dr. Nancy Gallini, dean, faculty of arts, UBC, also tlianked the Diamond family and then spoke of the growing relationship between the Jewish community and UBC, mentioning the Sophie Waldman endowment that ensures a Holocaust course is taught annually and tlie Zeisler fund that brings a lecturer to UBC and the Jewish community each year. Gallini enthusiastically praised Daum and his academic accomplishments, saying that, upon meeting Daum, her fu^t thought was that "UBC had struck gold."
Betty Nitkin, adult education co-ordinator of the JCC, wrapped up the thou^t-provoking evening with a few words of thanks and a preview of upcoming UBC courses at the JCC. For more information, caU UBC at 604-822-1444. □
Dare to learn at tlie JCC
Dare to know! That's the motto of the new adult courses at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver. And, considering the attendance at recent events, the programs are proving popular. Thirtyrfive students attended University of British Columbia Prof Richard Menkis' course From Anti-Judaism to Anti-Semitism, and the first two sessions of the Joys of Judaism, which is being presented by all tlie pulpit rabbis, attracted about 50 people. Dr. Alan Morinis' course, A Beit Musar, has 20 students.
Dr. Alex Hart began a five-week course on Nov. 6 called Tlie Third Solitude: Jewish Canadian Literature. This course is offered jointly by the JCC. and UBC's continuing studies department If j'ou would like to have a look at Canadian literature through Jewish eyes, call UBC at 604-822-1444.
Also in November, as part of the Joys of Judaism series. Rabbi Ilan Acoca (Beth Hamidrash) and Rabbi Pliillip Bregman (Temple Sholom) will present The Major Je%vish Holidays on Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tlie ne.\t family holiday workshop %vill take place Nov. 24,3 p.m. The focus will be on Uie holiday of (Dhanukali. Teachers Patti Aknin, Mira Samet and Emily Singer will assist families witli children from three to 13 years to leam about and create items that will enhance tlie family's enjoyment of it
For more information on any of the courses listed above, call the JCC at 604-257-5111. □