Living with Cultural Barriers: A Speech, a Poem and the EAWLC / 我的文化差异体验

By Yang Wang

I was invited to give a speech at Don Heights Unitarian Congregation on October 15, 2023 to introduce East and West Learning Connections (the EAWLC).  I shared my personal stories and observations of cultural difference, barriers for first generation immigrants, problems the immigrant  community face to realize the two-way diversity process, and what the EAWLC had been doing to help address those concerns.  Thanks to the engaging audience, their frank and thoughtful questions, plus interesting stories made my wish for a meaningful conversation come true!

With one of our board directors, Ping Xiao’s help, I brought with me four talented young musicians to the congregation.  Their beautiful renditions as well as lovely words won lots of applause and smiles!

I’d love to invite readers to watch the video clips, and join in the conversation: what cultural barriers have you experienced or observed?  What do you think would be good things to do, for the society and for new immigrants, to help build  a more vibrant country with equal possibilities for everyone?  You are very welcome to leave your thought in the comments area, or send an email to info@eawlc.org.

Yang Wang: Living with Cultural Barriers and How EAWLC Has Started and Helped

Prelude Music: Butterfly Lovers

Grade 11 students at St Clements School: Rachel Chen on piano, Athena Foo on violin

Music: The Moon Represents My Heart

Charlotte Yang on acoustic guitar 

Music: Long de Chuan Ren

Olivia Yang on piano

I would also like to take the opportunity to ask a favour of you.  As you may know, the EAWLC has been run totally by volunteers.  In the past seven years, we have organized more than 260 free cultural events, striving to offer access to quality cross-cultural learning and communicating opportunities for the public, most of them from the immigrant community.  We rely solely on the support from the general public to go further and stronger.  Please support us by donating, joining as a registered member or volunteer, and/or providing ideas and feedback to help us do a better job.

E-transfer to treasurer@eawlc.org or click here to see how to Sponsor us

Click here to see everything about Becoming an East and West Learning Connections Member and/or Volunteer

Meanwhile, as a person living with vision loss, I do an annual fundraising among my friends to support the blind community in Toronto.  The blind organizations I support this year are listed in the comments area.  I personally benefit a lot from them in peer support, recreational and social activities.  Many local talented vision impaired friends and some of the volunteers have come to help the immigrant community through the EAWLC.  I am very proud to help connect the two communities in a joyful way.  I’d be equally happy if you want to donate to any of these organizations so they are able to help more people with vision loss.  Just give me a shout, and I’ll send you their account information.

Let me finish the message with a poem I wrote on Thanksgiving Day of this year.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping people in need, and East and West Learning Connections!

My Gratitude is

A Wheel Trans taxi

That could take me anywhere in the city

A tennis game, skiing, hiking or cycling

With your organizing or guiding

A helping hand or  a smiley Hi

From countless  strangers passing by

A brilliant idea and precious time you offered for our connections

That was always more than my expectations

My friend, thank you,

For making my gratitude

Go everywhere in Toronto, 

A place I now call home

From my home to yours, Happy Holidays!  Wishing everyone health, peace, and happiness in the coming new year!

For English screen-readers, the article in English ends here. Below is its Chinese version. Your screen reader may not be able to pick it up. To view comments, please jump heading to the Thoughts.

今年秋天，我应邀在Don Heights Unitarian Congregation演讲，介绍东西联学社。这是一家以西人为主、对各种宗教流派保持开放的教会，牧师谢拉曾来参加过我们的几次线上活动，故而对我们有所了解。她本人亦是一位热衷推动社区建设的社会活动家。邀请我去做演讲嘉宾时，她说如果愿意，我可以带一位音乐家去演奏。我想这是一个与其他社区交流思想的好机会；如果能把一些美妙的中国音乐作品介绍给听众，那就更好了。于是欣然应允。在联学社董事萧萍的帮助下，四位可爱的青少年乐手花一两个月的时间找乐谱、排练，于2023年10月15号上午，和我一起完成了这次演讲与演奏。我分享了自己对文化差异的体会、移民面临的融入障碍、身为华人的感受，介绍东西联学社的缘起和现状，并回答了听众的提问。最后还读了一首自己的诗以及它背后的故事。孩子们为听众演奏了钢琴小提琴协奏曲“梁祝”、古典吉他“月亮代表我的心”和钢琴独奏“龙的传人”。感觉现场气氛轻松自然，大家有真诚坦率的交流；孩子们的天真可爱、带去的优美音乐，更是收获了许多微笑和掌声，也令着个上午贯穿在艺术的美感中。上面的YouTube录像记录了演講及问答的主要部分，以及孩子们的演出片段。

欢迎朋友们观看视频，并继续加入讨论：您经历过或者观察到过什么文化差异、障碍吗？觉得有什么方法可以比较好地应对它们？要建设一个更加生机勃勃、机会均等的国家，您觉得社会和我们自己各应该负起怎样的责任？欢迎在评论区留言，或者发邮件至info@eawlc.org，分享您的见解。

我也想借此机会，恳请大家支持东西联学社的发展。我们由一群志愿者组成，资源完全依赖大众在财力、人力和物力上的支持。过去七年中，我们为公众组织了260多场公益文化活动，致力于创造有品质的跨文化学习机会、促进不同族裔之间的思想交流，提升包括我们自己在内的华人社区的多元文化素养。如果您认可我们的目标和努力，欢迎以捐款、成为注册会员或提供意见建议等方式帮助我们。不胜感激！

捐款电子汇款账户：treasurer@eawlc.org，或点击这里查看其他捐款方式及详情。

点击这里查看注册会员的权利、义务及如何申请。

在上面英文部分的最后，我贴了一首今年感恩节当天写的小诗。作为一个视障者，我得益于多家盲人组织，享受到方便的出行和丰富多彩的业余生活。每年一次，我会在朋友们中间为这些组织募捐，让它们有能力为更多盲人提供更好的服务。朋友们的捐助，令多伦多的盲人社区感受到来自华人的慷慨与善意。很多有才华有见识的当地盲友以及他们的志愿者，则来到东西联学社作义务嘉宾或顾问，给予移民社区热情而宝贵的支持。我很自豪，能够为两个社区之间的连接尽一点绵薄之力。今年我支持的盲人组织名单见文后的评论区留言。如果朋友们愿意向他们捐款，我会同样高兴。请告知一声，我把他们的付款方式发给您。

鞠躬致谢。愿世界和平，祝朋友们安康如意、新年快乐！

汪洋

2023年12月29日