Listen Up! Diversity needs to be embraced | Commentary

This is a guest post on Listen Up! by James Bowler. Hugh Mackenzie is taking a break this week.

By James Bowler

In February of 2016, Gravenhurst officials and residents proudly welcomed the first of a few Syrian refugee families moving to Muskoka, the Bannas. This followed a massive crisis in 2015 when civil war broke out in the Middle East and Asian country, which led to millions fleeing the nation for a safer life. 

Eight months later, the family that came to Gravenhurst with hope in their hearts and a new life to look forward to packed up and moved to Montreal. At the time it was suggested they were moving because there was a large population of Syrians living in Montreal and more opportunity for the family, and that likely was a large part of their decision to move. However, it could have also been motivated by a break-in that happened to the family months after they moved into their new home, where priceless jewelry heirlooms were stolen. Or maybe it was also the graffiti that was scrawled on a gazebo in Gull Lake Rotary Park that stated ‘Muslims Go Home!’. 

The point is Muskoka has had a long-suffering issue of racism and bigotry from within the community itself. Don’t get me wrong, I truly believe a large portion of residents in Muskoka are open-minded and caring people who want to embrace diversity in the place we all call home. But that doesn’t change the fact that we still have these hate crimes happening in our own backyard. 

There are many other examples to point to: Monck Public School in Bracebridge has been targeted about half a dozen times by vandals scrawling hateful homophobic vitriol across rainbow artwork painted on a shed in the school’s playground. In 2021 a Pride flag at Huntsville Public School was stolen from its pole and a video was circulated of kids burning the flag. Just down the road in Washago, a Jewish family was targeted with anti-Semitic graffiti vandalizing their home. And most recently, a South Asian family was attacked while walking in downtown Huntsville by a group of four people throwing racial slurs at them and spitting at them.

The District of Muskoka’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism or Anti-Hate (IDEA) Advisory Group released a temperature check on discrimination in Muskoka, with polling happening within the community between late 2020 and early 2021. The report, which polled full-time and seasonal residents between the ages of 15 and 84, found the majority of respondents felt discrimination was definitely a problem in the region. And at least one-third of respondents felt the district as a whole is not tolerant and accepting enough of those from varied cultural backgrounds, including those of Indigenous heritage. 

So what can you do about it? Speak out when you see something that even resembles veiled racism, misogyny, or homophobia/transphobia. 

It sometimes feels easier to avoid uncomfortable conversations, especially with those we hold dear to us, like family or friends, about why their words or actions are inappropriate when it comes to discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. But, having these conversations may often help avoid a bigger issue. 

In order to become a more united community, we need to accept that the people living in it have different ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to live here, and it definitely doesn’t make them any less human. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.

James is a local journalist who has worked in Muskoka for nearly a decade. He’s an avid advocate for diversity and inclusion and for normalizing the conversation around mental health. 

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