Hello everybody! In this blog, my message for all of you is to celebrate the diversity of this world amid rising hatred for this beautiful difference we all embody. If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’ve probably seen a rise in xenophobia (fear or hatred of people from different cultures) across North America and Europe. Hate crimes, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and policies targeting minorities have been on the rise. It’s scary, but it also makes conversations about multiculturalism more important than ever.
So, what’s the antidote to this fear? Understanding, kindness, and celebrating the beauty of diversity. And guess what? I recently got to experience this firsthand at Edmonton’s Heritage Festival, where cultures from all over the world came together in one park.
Walking into Borden Park and the Edmonton Expo Centre during the festival was like stepping into a different world, or rather, many different worlds all at once. 66 countries and nations were represented from every corner of the globe. There were performances such as drummers, dancers, singers each sharing their traditions with pride. The air smelled like all the different spices and love that each nation had to bring to their food. People chatted in different languages, laughed together, and bonded over food and music.
As a volunteer, I got to see how much work goes into making this celebration happen. But more importantly, I saw how much joy it brought to people. Strangers became friends just by sharing a meal or dancing together. That’s the power of multiculturalism; it doesn't just tolerate differences; it celebrates them. That’s the kind of world we should be fighting for.
While Canada proudly calls itself a cultural "mosaic," the reality is far from perfect. In recent years, anti-Asian hate crimes surged, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with violent attacks in cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Islamophobia also remains a serious issue, exemplified by the horrific 2021 truck attack in London, Ontario, that killed a Muslim family. Indigenous communities continue to face systemic racism, from discriminatory policing to the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Even in supposedly progressive cities, racism persists in subtle but harmful ways—through job discrimination, microaggressions, and unequal treatment.
The other day at work, I had a white man who looked to be about in his 60s who was saying slurs under his breath. It shocked me, and I didn’t know how to react. He was having a little fit I suppose. I heard him say the N-word, and he was acting if I was stupid and slow. I am a visibly Muslim woman, wearing the hijab, which can make me a target for Islamophobia, which I’ve experienced. I didn’t know how to react, and he seemed like a violent man, so I just let him walk away. Next time I see him, I know what to expect from him, and I’ll be prepared to call him out and shame him. I won’t be scared like I was at that moment.
The situation in the United States is just as troubling. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has become synonymous with cruelty, especially under the Trump administration’s "zero tolerance" policy, which forcibly separated over 5,500 children from their parents at the border. Detention centers have been plagued by reports of abuse, including inhumane conditions and denial of medical care. ICE raids have terrorized immigrant communities, targeting people who have lived in the U.S. for decades, contributing to society, and raising families. The trauma is deep and children may never reunite with their parents, and families live in constant fear. Despite America’s claim to be "the land of the free," its immigration policies have locked up people simply for seeking safety. Now, the country is deeply divided, with some demanding harsher borders while others fight for compassion. History has shown, time and again, that blaming immigrants only distracts from real problems, but it never solves them.
Meanwhile, far-right movements in Europe are gaining power by scapegoating immigrants for economic and cultural challenges. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, once a fringe group, is now the second most popular party in some regions, pushing anti-Muslim and anti-refugee rhetoric while advocating for mass deportations even of immigrants born in Germany. France’s National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, nearly won the presidency in 2022 by promoting a nationalist "France for the French" agenda, targeting Muslim communities and calling for hijab bans. Italy’s current far-right government, under Giorgia Meloni, has cracked down on humanitarian rescue boats in the Mediterranean while attacking LGBTQ+ and immigrant rights under the guise of "traditional family values." Hungary’s Viktor Orbán has built border fences to keep out refugees, banned LGBTQ+ content in schools, and declared that Europe must remain "Christian" to survive ignoring its own multicultural history. The danger of these movements is that they normalize hatred, turning racism into official policy. When leaders dehumanize immigrants, violence follows like the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre in New Zealand, carried out by a white supremacist inspired by far-right extremism. I remember that massacre, and it shocked the Muslim community worldwide. I remember my parents were scared to let us go to the Mosque in the following weeks, because there was rumor that the attacks were going to be replicated worldwide. It was a sad and frustrating moment, because it was rooted in ignorance that could’ve been avoided if governments would crack down on hate rather than allowing it to continue.
The pattern is clear: whether in North America or Europe, fear is being used to divide societies. But history has shown us the consequences of letting hatred win. The answer isn’t less diversity, it's more understanding, more solidarity, and a refusal to let fear dictate our future.
Multiculturalism is the answer. Fear does divide us, but diversity is what strengthens us. When politicians blame immigrants for unemployment and crime, they’re distracting from real issues such as corporate greed or underfunded schools. Diverse societies actually have stronger economies and more innovation, and I’d like to use Singapore as an example. Singapore is a tiny island nation with no natural resources that was able to transform itself into a global economic powerhouse. Their country consists of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities, and Singapore didn’t just tolerate its difference, it built its identity on them. Singapore has the world’s strongest economies and is a hub for innovation. The society consists of multiple languages, religions, and traditions that thrive side by side. In fact they have a policy that prevents homogenization and promotes diversity. Singapore actively designed its pluralism through groundbreaking policies. The Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), implemented in public housing since 1989, prevents ethnic enclaves by mandating mixing - you literally can't have a "Chinese neighborhood" or "Indian district" in public housing estates.
Another point I’d like to discuss is how history shows us what happens when hate wins. The Holocaust, slavery, colonialism, all being prime examples. These events were caused by dehumanizing people who were different, and we can’t repeat those mistakes. Sadly, it’s still happening with communities across the world being dehumanized amid the current humanitarian crisis. A case study on this is current dehumanization of Palestinians. What’s happening to Palestinians today is a chilling reminder of how easily prejudice can turn into systemic violence. For decades, they’ve been portrayed as threats rather than people stripped of their humanity in Western media and politics. Now, as Gaza endures bombardment, blockade, and mass displacement, we see the horrific consequences of this dehumanization. Tens of thousands of civilians, including children, have been killed, while calls for ceasefires are dismissed or labeled as "support for terrorism." Basic human rights to food, water, medical care, and even mourning are denied under the guise of "security." Meanwhile, Western governments that claim to champion human rights fund and defend this violence, treating Palestinian lives as collateral rather than equals. This isn’t just about one conflict, it's about what happens when we allow fear and propaganda to justify suffering. If history teaches us anything, it’s that no one is safe in a world where some lives matter less than others. Solidarity with Palestinians isn’t political, it’s moral. Because justice isn’t conditional, and humanity shouldn’t be either.
The Heritage Festival proves harmony is possible. At the festival, no one cared about borders or politics, just food, dance, and laughter. That’s the world we should be building. Too many nations, displaying and being proud of our culture is a show of resistance in the face of hate. We should all be proud of where we come from, and all be active in fighting hate towards immigrants. In the 21st century, oppression and dehumanization are still prevalent issues. We like to think of racism and hate as a problem of the past, but it isn’t. Watching the news is all the proof that you would need that it’s still here. So what can we do?
We can call out racism when we see it, whether that be online, at school, or anywhere. Silence helps build bullies. Don’t be afraid of doing the right thing. Another thing I would do is to support immigrant communities. Volunteer, donate, and listen to their stories. Many of them come from such diverse backgrounds, and have so many stories to tell you, so listen. Listening and paying attention is the first thing that we can do to begin to understand. Another thing you can do is to vote wisely, as far-right groups win when people don’t pay attention. They build their platforms on hate, so we should build ours on love and understanding and call out their hypocrisies. Lastly, celebrate diversity. Go to festivals such as the Heritage festival, or any local cultural festivals, learn a language, make friends from different backgrounds, and read and learn about different countries and cultures. We all have something to teach each other.
Another point I’d like to discuss is youth activism. Young people today aren’t just the leaders of tomorrow, they're the changemakers of right now. From global climate strikes to anti-racism protests, youth activism has reshaped conversations that older generations ignored or dismissed. When it comes to fighting xenophobia and defending multiculturalism, young voices are especially powerful. They’re the ones calling out injustice on social media, organizing solidarity rallies for marginalized communities, and pressuring politicians to reject hateful policies. Look at movements like Black Lives Matter, #StopAsianHate, and pro-Palestinian student protests led largely by Gen Z and young millennials who refuse to accept the status quo. Unlike older generations stuck in divisive politics, many young people embrace intersectionality, recognizing that struggles for racial justice, immigrant rights, and Indigenous sovereignty are all connected. They’re not waiting for permission to demand change; they’re using their voices, votes, and creativity to build a world where diversity isn’t just tolerated but celebrated. We should never underestimate the power of passionate young people; they're already rewriting the future. You can make a difference, so don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
My final thought is that kindness is stronger than fear. The world feels so divided right now, but we don’t have to accept that. Multiculturalism isn’t about erasing differences but it’s about learning from them. So next time someone says, “They’re taking our jobs”, or “We need to protect our culture,” Ask: Who’s really benefiting from this fear? Because when we stand together, everyone wins.
Take the time to reflect on what makes diversity an amazing thing? Jot down your thoughts and share it with someone and start a conversation on the importance of multiculturalism in our communities. 🌍🤍
Sources for Further Reading
Rising hate crimes in Canada https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily quotidien/250325/dq250325a-eng.htm
https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and manuals/hate-crimes-and-incidents-canada
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rd16-rr16/p1.html https://crrf-fcrr.ca/tackling-hate-in-canada/
U.S. and ICE Raids https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/the-impact-of-family-separation-on-children/ https://tracreports.org/tracker/dynadata/2022_02/OIG-21-36-May21.pdf https://supportkind.org/press-releases/family-separation-2-0-kind-urges-immediate-administration-action-to-halt-its-return-to-this-national-nightmare/ https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-immigration-policy-shifts-are-affecting-latino-families/
Rise of far-right/xenophobic politics in Europe https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2025/09/the-european-radical-right-in-the-age-of-trump-20?lang=en https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/humanities-blog/2025/07/04/the-rise-of-the-far-right-and-the-rewriting-of-europes-political-centre/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/01/vicious-cycle-far-right-parties-across-europe-are-inspiring-imitators?CMP=share_btn_url https://www.cfr.org/expert-brief/how-far-right-election-gains-are-changing-europe https://crd.org/vorban/ https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/children-of-the-fatherland-the-rise-of-the-extreme-right-in-france-part-1-1.4079441
Singapore as a case study
https://www.sg101.gov.sg/social-national-identity/multicultural/ https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/2749/ https://fass.nus.edu.sg/srn/2020/12/28/multiculturalism-and-the-problem-of-solidarity/ https://www.rusi.org/publication/multiculturalism-and-social-resilience-singapore https://www.hdb.gov.sg/residential/buying-a-flat/buying-procedure-for-resale-flats/plan-source-and-contract/planning-considerations/eip-spr-quota
Edmonton Heritage Festival https://www.heritagefest.ca/aboutus https://globalnews.ca/news/11311996/edmonton-heritage-festival-2025/
Social Justice Movements
https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/ https://stopaapihate.org/ https://www.stopasianhate.info/ https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/ https://thegazagenocide.info/
