When I moved to Canada 13 years ago, I was up for more shocks that I could ever hope for.  

First, spatially, I felt strange with no hundreds and thousands of people competing on your space when you walk on the street, go to a store, and or take the metro. People are so polite, drivers allow you to merge, and police officers are feared but not perceived as corrupt or part of the corrupting system.

Second, in the workplace, there is less power distance than I can recall. There is no need for outward deference that what is necessary. There's more exchange of pleasantries as part of the culture not as something that is needed when you want to break the ice. Everyone seems to have their own place in the organization. When you in doubt about what you need to do, 'go to your supervisor.'

Third, we seldom see Canadians as part of the worlds' problem. As a middle power, Canada is a strong beacon of democracy and free enterprise. What I'm so proud of is that the project of multiculturalism while not perfect and perfected seems to work in this part of the world than any where else. While I came here seamlessly, integrated well than most immigrants, and have the privileges of education and international outlook, there are hundreds of newcomers that have experienced more hardships. I was an exception to the norm. We have  a long way to go to closing this gap that is missing the best out of the global talent we now find here.

I have been shocked in my first few years but right now I feel more integrated than ever before. Diversity is our greatest common denominator in this Canada. If we devalue the least of our diverse citizens, we devalue our whole society and the power that comes with it.
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I have been asked how will I integrate diversity in the classroom considering adult learner, aboriginal learners, learners with different orientation and abilities, and other points of differences exists.

I knew that with the hype on diversities and some of them definitely misplaced. I said that, "Diversity is our greater common denominator as Canadians." 

I arrived in Canada in the summer of 2010 from the Philippines. I'm as diverse as any other Canadians that were born here or have arrived from some where in the last 30 years or recently.
Some Canadians have diversities that are not physically visible and these diversities are as valid as other protected areas of difference.

The fact that this is seldom acknowledged brings to the point that everyone of us is unique. That diversity is not just about providing preferential treatment to those that are historically marginalized or excluded or experienced inequities. We have the whole spectrum of diversities for which everyone must respect and recognize if we want to live and work harmoniously and effectively together as communities.

Having said that, I heard the loudest agreement from the questioning group. We agree that diversity is our common bond so let's make this diversity our greatest asset not a hindrance to building up common goals. 

The politics on vaccines is another issue that can potentially escalate into another time-bomb. 

We have several vaccines that have promising results for the prevention of the COVID-19 virus. We know that these can take a few months before initial groups of people are monitored and the side effects of the drug are taken into consideration.

We'll have the vaccines as our  (Canadian) government committed to this a long time ago. Other countries have to wait until it becomes affordable and that preliminary results come out. No one wants to be the guinea pig, I suppose.

Vaccines are one thing but the equitable distribution, affordability, accessibility and appropriateness of these vaccines to differentiated needs of different populations come into question. Another issue is about protecting consumers who have elected to use these vaccines under development, which calls for regulation and complete transparency for public welfare.

We live in ambiguous times. We cannot trust our health systems and authorities that are overwhelmed and overworked to decide for our health, well-being, and safety. Like all systems, when it's saturated, it either collapses on the sheer weight of its load or dissipates into mediocrity or irrelevance. 

We also cannot turn a blind eye on the suffering and hardships that are experienced by our neighbors in the developing South. That's why we call on health equity across the board. Those that have multiple vulnerabilities and needs must be given equitable priority and attention and consulted adequately. 

Be your own health advocate and become a health advocate for others around you. The world is hyperconnected to risk being the weakest link.
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As I am preparing for my presentation next week on Diversity, I thought about what's not diversity.

Diversity is not a thing that can be slapped artificially for the sake of political correctness or guise to protect from lawsuits;

Diversity is not silencing the majority and forcing everyone to think the same;

Diversity is not perfecting preferential treatments or quotas or taking revenge from a century-old injustice;

Diversity is about respecting and celebrating human differences in all of its forms-not just RACE, CLASS, CASTE, ETHNICITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RELIGION. 

Inclusion is about accountability that leads to great bottom lines: more revenue, less  negative conflict, more innovation. 

Inclusion is fostering a culture that respects, honors, and values diversity in all of its manifestations. 

I was in a diversity training room almost a decade ago. A guy spoke up about diversity and inclusion in the office and he said, that I can only 'tolerate.' I'm still not there yet and please, respect that! There was silence in the room. No one commented or made a reaction to it.

I simply recalled this reaction because it also meant respect. Some people believe that it's just a political correct thing. Some are putting a strong push-back against it because they're maligned by it. This is also because some of the way diversity projects are forced into your consciousness are appalling. It doesn't earn respect, it earns more resentment, antagonism, and conflict. 

I hear that side of the story too! Aren't we all diverse in on our ways? 

It's about time we start treating one another as human beings, not a QRSSTW or a theirs, them, and other identifiers. Cultural intelligence is not some lunch and learns and lip-service HR projects. It's about embracing the full breadth of talents, knowledge, passions, and backgrounds that make the world a better and more interesting place. Pitting one group against the other on the basis of these differences aren't sustainable.  It's like saying, 'we are going to riot until we defund the police' which is selfish and irresponsible. 

We can't afford to rip apart the society and put it back again magically without further aggravation and dire consequences for the future generations. It's time to look at the overall objectives of our politics and try to find balance and harmony, not tribalism and inept leadership. 
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