Last night 12 young men earned “La badge multiculturalisme” – (Scouts Canada’s Cultural Awareness badge). More relevant than ever, it promotes a greater understanding of Canada’s cultural diversity while learning about language, cuisine, religious and cultural traditions.
Amid a mélange of delicious aromas, the kids presented their research, told stories, played music and led dances from Romania, China, Italy, Mexico, Brittany in France, Syria, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and the independent Republic of Ireland.
As a Scout leader, I knew that behind a few of these smiling faces hid truly heart wrenching personal testimonies of young ones who bid extended families farewell to travel halfway across the world, in a journey of hope and survival. What distinguishes them from earlier generations who spilled upon north American shores is…Skype … Facetime … xBox… and other “next best thing to being there” technology.
I expected one or two stories to slip out, as on other occasions. I was wrong. Boys just want to be boys, not international diplomats. But they were fascinated to learn that –
- many of their countries had once been occupied by England or France
- Syria has extraordinary traditions of poetry and music
- Ireland has its own language, which is not remotely similar to English
and best of all,
- that right here in Montreal, Romania’s pride and joy, Nadia Comaneci became the first gymnast in Olympic history to be awarded the perfect score of 10.0 for her performance on the uneven bars (1976)
After that, they just wanted to try all the delicious foods, watch Irish hurling videos (“the greatest sport on earth”) and debate the merits of World Cup Soccer versus Stanley Cup Hockey.
In this complicated province of Québec, with its progressive rights for women, and regressive institutionalizing of values, culture is a daily discussion. There is the obsession over language –complete with The Québec Language Police. And the tiresome political bickering over ‘national sovereignty‘.
Francophones spar politically with Anglophones over rights and resources – (native French speakers vs native ‘english’ speakers).
By contrast, our Scouts represent the growing Allophone population of Canada (neither French nor English native speakers). In this richly diverse city of Montréal, Third Culture Kids slip easily between their primary 3 languages and eagerly embrace new ones languages offered in school.
They also bring a pragmatic view toward multiculturalism.
Case in point:
Our Dilemma: What is the best way to accommodate the dietary restrictions of our Jewish and Muslim fellow scouts?
Their Solution: Adjust the camping menu for everyone. “Seriously! If everyone eats halal chicken, we can stop talking about religious differences at every meal! And we are willing to pay for it …by giving up vegetables!”
It was a small, but significant gesture. Of course, by the time they finished debating the details of butchering traditions, many were pledging to become vegetarians!
With a nod to Dylan, the times are changing.