The North Shore Multicultural Society wants to remind people that fostering safe space to have meaningful conversations can be one of the best ways to combat incidences of discrimination.
Following a recent graffiti spree in West Van that police are investigating as a possible hate crime, the Centre for Diversity and Innovation, which falls under the purview of NSMS, is looking to get the word out about its upcoming Warm Welcome Tea Circle, a conversation series where people can meet their neighbours and talk about the idea of welcoming in our communities while enjoying a hot beverage.
The free event, scheduled for July 30 starting at 1 p.m. at West Vancouver Community Centre, is intended to foster an opportunity for people to learn from the perspectives of others, according to NSMS executive director Wendy McCulloch.
“The event is for interested community members of different backgrounds and lived experiences to come together to share their experiences,” said McCulloch. “We think that when we see increases of hate and racism that it’s important for our community to have a co-ordinated response and opportunity for us to have meaningful dialogue and engagement with each other.”
An audience survey conducted during the North Shore Immigrant Inclusion Partnership’s Acting Against Racism Forum held in 2017 determined that 80 per cent said they were worried about people being treated negatively or harmed on the North Shore due to their background, according to McCulloch.
Using paint, a vandal recently left a trail of graffiti in the British Properties neighbourhood which included hateful words and obscenities. West Vancouver police are investigating the incident and have contacted the B.C. Hate Crimes Team, though police noted at the time that the graffiti did not appear to be part of a larger trend.
The Warm Welcome Tea Circle event will feature community-led conversations exploring how one shows an act of welcoming, the feelings associated with being welcomed – or unwelcomed – and cultural protocols of welcoming in different setting and spaces, according to a description of the event.
“At the North Shore Multicultural Society last year we had over 2,900 local residents who participated in diversity and inclusion education and volunteering in our agency. I think it’s important that this is a very caring community who really want to have it be safe and welcoming,” said McCulloch.
Bringing people from all walks of life together in a safe, inclusive setting meant to foster conversation is key to generating empathy, according to Daniela Cohen, diversity co-ordinator with the Centre for Diversity and Innovation.
“It raises awareness and understanding between people,” said Cohen. “When people feel that, then there is motivation to take action, to create more welcoming communities and also to stand up against incidences of racism.”
Visit thecdi.ca/events for more information.
