With midterm season slowing down, I finally found myself an opportunity to watch a couple Ted Talks. In particular, there was one speaker that stood out exceptionally well in terms of a hilarious personality and rather eye changing presentation, Nav Bhatia. Most notably recognized as one of Canada’s top car salesman and official “Superfan” of the city’s basketball team, Toronto Raptors, Nav Bhatia is also an iconic symbol for the country’s Canadian-Indo culture.

One of Nav Bhatia’s greatest emphasis was to believe in self-confidence and expression. Living in Canada, Nav also prides himself as both a Canadian and Sikh at heart. It is the freedom of Canada that he cherishes so well. Relating it to the recent topics of ASTU 100, we’ve looked at subject matters regarding that of culture and identity. Through this, I believe Nav Bhatia has broken the barrier of immigrant stereotypes. By outperforming at his car dealership, Nav Bhatia proved that not all Indians/Sikhs just drive taxis. Furthermore, Nav Bhatia holds celebrity status throughout North America with his ongoing participation in the Toronto National Basketball Association.

If more individuals were as open to expression such as Nav Bhatia, nations across the world could see a culture change. Canada is already home to that of hundreds of culture varieties, French, Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese and many more. Not to say it’s happening already, Canadian can be defined by many as a culture of diversity. With this ongoing trend, Canada has seen an exponential growth in the last decade in accepting various ethnic backgrounds. Nav Bhatia is a key role model in culture identity in our nation. Who knows who might the next culture changing hero will be.

“Integrate with society, out of the zone where you are not welcomed.” -Nav Bhatia

/Vinson Tam

References

Changing Perceptions — From Sikh To Superfan. Toronto: TedxToronto, 2014. DVD.

Video Link: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtNZd4hiSmY)

In my previous week of ASTU: Academic Writing course, one of the main focuses was studying and looking at Salam Pax’s blog, Where is Raed. Through this blog, Salam narrates his experiences of war terror in Iraq. Aimed at a Western audience, Salam creates a connection to US politics and government.

In relation, I want to point out the ongoing issue that’s currently happening in Hong Kong, the Umbrella Revolution (Link to a more detailed article regarding Vancouver’s contribution to the protest: http://www.theprovince.com/Vancouver+rally+backs+Hong+Kong+Umbrella+Revolution/10264936/story.html). Masses of university students are currently protesting the Government of Hong Kong in support of keeping the democratic system. In the heat of the protest, many students and innocent protestors are injured in the process. From tear gas to police brawls, the Hong Kong citizens are suffering both a physical and emotional fight.

https://thebulletwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/hong-kong-ralley.jpg

Like Salam Pax, an abundant of protestors and reporters are out in Hong Kong relaying the information to the rest of the world. An example would be live blogs. Here, many are contributing to the state of knowledge from one area to the next. In particular, blogger Vaudine England has been commenting on the relationship between Hong Kong and China since 2012. Unlike Iraq, Hong Kong allows for free speech and protest as long as it remains civil. All of this would not have been possible if it wasn’t for our current state of technology and social media. In fact, this crisis has garnered so much attention in the West that it has our Canadian government voicing an opinion. On a more global level, it has stirred up discussions and debates around the world, with people either supporting Hong Kong or China. Why do people care then? It is our social media and this circulation of information that feeds us this knowledge. In the mean time, the citizens of Hong Kong will just have to patiently wait until the final decision is made to either evolve into communism or remain democratic.

/Vinson Tam

References

• VANDERKLIPPE, NATHAN. “Dozens Injured, Arrested in Violent Hong Kong Clashes.” The Globe and Mail. Globe and Mail, With Wire Services, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/clashes-with-police-erupt-at-hong-kong-protest-site/article20906765/>.
• Chappell, Chris. “What Is Happening in Hong Kong? Umbrella Revolution May Be Just the Beginning – The Epoch Times.” The Epoch Times. EPOCH TIMES, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/996242-china-uncensored-hong-kongs-umbrella-revolution-may-be-just-the-beginning/>.
• England, Vaudine. “Hong Kong Suffers Identity Crisis as China’s Influence Grows.” The Guardian. The Guardian, 23 Mar. 2012. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/23/china-hong-kong-identity-crisis>.
• HUME, JESSICA. “Trudeau Calls for Peace in Hong Kong.” Toronto Sun. NATIONAL BUREAU, 2 Oct. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.torontosun.com/2014/10/02/trudeau-calls-for-peace-in-hong-kong>.

BLOG LIVE STREAM: http://live.aljazeera.com/Event/Hong_Kong_protests_3