Inclusion and Diversity

[Marisa Meléndez]

In response to the topic of Inclusion and Diversity recently posted on the Transition Network website, I feel it is important not to inadvertently put up barriers. This may happen if people are thought of as "those people", people on the outside of Transition. I'm tired of hearing people speak as though people of different cultures and ethnicities are so different from each other. We are all humans, and are all in need of the same basic rights and necessities. All humans are concerned with their health and well being, and desire access to fresh and clean food and water sources. We all have a need for affordable transportation, housing, heating, and cooling. People all want a secure future. These are all things that Transition can help with. The fact that people are even discussing being perceived as a "white middle class", "hierarchal power" makes me ill. Presentation is the key. How Transition presents itself to others, and how others perceive Transition will create success or failure.

 

People of different cultures and backgrounds have so much knowledge that pertains to the Transition movement. People from many countries live daily with "reduce and reuse" as a way of life because it is a necessity. They have balcony and rooftop gardens because they are necessities. They conserve water and electricity because it is necessary. Therefore, immigrants of these countries have firsthand knowledge as to how to apply these ideas and can perhaps help us to integrate them into our own way of life. It is now just a matter of obtaining their help. Once we achieve this, I believe a natural occurrence will happen and we and they will become us, the Transition community.

 

For example, in my community there is a large Chinese community. Many Chinese here have amazing food gardens, thriving with exotic herbs, fruits, and vegetables and these gardens were created with trellises and containers made from recycled materials. Their knowledge of how to create these types of functional gardens would benefit the Transition community. It seems to me then, that it is in our interest to approach knowledgeable people in our communities, and explain to them in brief summary what we are a part of and what we want to achieve. Then express that we are seeking people within our community with skills that would assist us in our goals and that we would be honoured if they would pass on their knowledge to us in whatever way is most comfortable for them. Perhaps they would be willing to hold some workshops or presentations. I believe that instantly people will feel a sense of pride in their knowledge and their culture. I think people will be eager to share in this way, and it will immediately tear down bridges. Obviously there may be obstacles such as language barriers, but I have no doubt that a person in the community, perhaps at a nearby university, would be willing to help. We need to stop being so scared and start being resourceful.

 

This may help to get people on board once their interest is sparked in this way, but there still needs to be more. I think it is important that a Transition representative seek out leaders in other communities, cultures, and backgrounds, whether it be a nearby Italian community, or your local school for the deaf. We need to start approaching people and letting them know who we are and what we are about. Then we need to ask how they feel this movement pertains to them and their community and how they think we can all best work together to achieve common goals. I think Rob Hopkins says it well in his draft on Inclusion and Diversity:

The Solution

Building an Initiative that integrates all the strengths and concerns in your community means starting with everyone in that community and interweaving diversity into everything you do.  In practise, it’s about a lot more than putting up posters in a few carefully chosen places.   Rather than inviting people to your meetings and expecting them to come along, it’s about going out to other people and listening. It means finding out about the strengths, concerns and the passions that fuel the fire of everyone in your community and then together with your own ideas, using that as the building blocks for creating an inclusive vision that informs everything you do.  The result will be a just, fair and infinitely more resilient Transition.

[Marisa Meléndez]

Haha... Yeah, I admit to being a total Latina in regards to getting all riled up when it comes to issues I am passionate about. I am glad to hear about the efforts TTo are making. I hope to be able to help out soon, and to speak further in detail on the matter.

[Martina Rowley]

Hi Marisa,

You sound pretty upset about this topic. What was posted on the Transition Network about Diversity that you found offensive? I haven't seen what they wrote but it seems it was rather controversial.

 

So while I cannot comment on what was written there, I can say we certainly do want Transition Toronto to be inclusive! I have heard that other Transition initiatives (whether in Canada or elsewhere) have all been having difficulties attracting and engaging diverse cultural groups. Why that is the case, I do not know. It may be something as 'simple' yet significant as the messaging.

 

You're absolutely right that many cultural groups here in Toronto already have skills around sustainable and low-carbon living, including growing some of their own foods. And yes, we can definitely learn a lot from all these communities and it is important we include them. The quote you reference from Rob Hopkins is poignant,

that "it’s about a lot more than putting up posters in a few carefully chosen places."

That is very true!

 

We are trying and planning to get our transition message to as many people in Toronto as we can - from all walks of life. In a city our size that is not an easy task - many environmental groups have or are trying to be more inclusive and diverse, and I don't yet know of any group that's been strikingly successful. Sometimes cultural barriers from any or all sides are just not that easy to overcome, even when we try to do so. And you mentioned language barriers, which are another challenge in our multi-lingual city!

 

The TTo Steering Committee actually had a brainstorming meeting last Wednesday with one of our members experienced in marketing & communications. We discussed HOW to reach more people, have more diversity, and what messaging we should apply and where. So we're doing what we can, given all our limitations working as volunteers and without a budget. :)

 

One last thing I want to add: We, the Steering Committee, have also not yet found the best method to encourage ALL our members to be pro-active in talking up the Transition model. We want and need *everyone* to do their part by telling their friends, neighbours, acquaintances, or complete strangers about this cool and workable movement. That will be another good way to ensure we reach a wide variety of cultural and ethnic demographics. 

 

It is a challenging task and I look forward to further discussion and suggestions on "best practices" in this regard.

  ~Martina