The Quest for an Inclusive City - Metropolis BC

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set norm which has been dictated to us, and we are trying to fit into that norm, right
So that’s the problem we see’ (FG Ind3).
Now we are hearing an analysis that deconstructs the invisible (to ‘insiders’) workings of the
dominant culture.
‘We don’t understand that that norm has already been in place and we are trying to
get into that, and we don’t have any access even to influence that. [agreement around
the room]… Like, that already set norm… because even the teachers who are white
do not know that they are saying it is the norm. They’ve accepted it and they can’t
disassociate from that and see this is different. So that is a problem. You see that
throughout’ (ibid).
The speaker then asks how they (Tamils) can influence this norm.
‘How can we have our perspective heard… and how can a newcomer population
which may be 80% of the classroom, make sure their teacher understands how they
have been learning at least trying to accommodate some other ways Otherwise, you
know, it’s just that 80% of the class is not going to be successful because of the norm
which is at a different style…’ (ibid).
And he then says something very interesting.
‘It is a barrier, it’s a big barrier – but we don’t see it as a barrier. We think, that’s the
level of adjustment we have to do’ (ibid).
And another participant interjects:
‘Because we are in their space, right Because that’s how it’s been given to us.
Because it has been told as that, we are giving you refugee status, we are giving you
immigrant status, you know what I mean. … So that’s how it’s been sold’ (FG Ind7).
And he goes on to give an example.
‘Last week was actually our New Year, and in the school they are actually selling
Easter candies, but they don’t know anything about, they didn’t even announce the
Tamil New Year. You know, 60% of the population is actually Tamil. So I mean, it’s
that, you know’ (ibid).
In this exchange we hear the frustration of the newcomer at having to do all of the
‘accommodating’ to the norms of the host society, and at the blindness and/or lack of interest of that
society in the life ways of immigrant groups. Another participant expands on this theme:
‘…in terms of the multiculturalism… we experience and share certain aspects of
different cultures… you know, the colorful ones, the food, the dance, the music,
sometimes even the language is given priority over more in-depth experiences … So
it is true that we are a multicultural country but not in the complete sense of it’ (FG
Ind8).