Ethnic ghettoization

Governor General Michaelle Jean stirred controversy when she said that "multiculturalism leads to ethnic ghettoization." This is a fact that some people don’t want to talk about. The truth hurts. I am in full agreement with our new Governor General because the concept of multiculturalism has been grossly misinterpreted and implemented.

The government’s outdated policy of multiculturalism encourages people to stay in ethnic ghettos. It is for this reason why so many Asian immigrants have not integrated into the Canadian mainstream of life. Imagine English-speaking Filipinos who communicate in Tagalog even in the presence of Canadians and other ethnic groups.

However, the Filipino community is not alone, several ethnic communities tend to stick to each other rather than reaching out to others. Many don’t even communicate in English, try to learn or improve their English so they actually build their own isolation enclave. Then, they all complain about racism and ostracism.

Inability to integrate is counterproductive and prevents an individual to partake in what Canada has to offer. The sad part is that some people who are experts in asking money or funding from the government for multiculturalism have been spoiled for several years. It’s like the government is encouraging the ethnic groups to stay in their own separate enclosure. The Governor General is correct in saying that there is a kind of proposition of ghettoization that is being practiced, even financed.

What we really need is a sense of belonging in Canada which is not a negation of one’s old-country connection and heritage. It is common knowledge that some ethnic community leaders and organizations make their living off multiculturalism through government fundings, or taxpayers’ money. There are many professional fund raisers with high and mighty notions that fool politicians hungry for votes, even when it will subsidize the continued confinement of immigrants. Those who are benefited by misguided multiculturalism will surely negate any change in the system because the cash flow/giveaways will not flourish.

Finally, a Canadian book about probabilities and quantitative ideas. Jeffrey S. Rosenthal, a professor in the Department Lightning – "The World of Probabilities," an unlikely bestseller about mathematics that appealed to the general audience.

The book explains to the layman how to analyze the likelihood of seemingly random events – crime, plane crashes, winning the lottery, utilizing a probability perspective.

Written in humorous prose, the author reveals that once we comprehend the rudiments of probability we will no longer hurry to lock our doors everytime the newspaper headlines report that burglary rates are on the increase. And maybe, we will finally realize that despite a run of good luck at the casino, the casino always wins. Or if you’re in a plane bound for America and your mind if full of images of horrible accidents, remember the Probability Perspective. Remember that each year there are 10 million commercial flights in the United States alone, and on average only about five crashes involving fatalities. The probability that your flight will result in even one death is only one chance in two million.

The book in many ways teach us a basic understanding of the rules of the probability theory as they apply to real-life circumstances that can help us to make sense of these situations, avoid unnecessary fear, seize opportunities that randomness presents to us, and actually enjoy the uncertainties we face.

Another popular book was written by Harley Pasternak, a well-known physical trainer who holds a master’s degree of science in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences from the University of Toronto and an honors degree in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario. He has many Hollywood clients which include Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Benjamin Bratt and Christian Slater to name a few celebrities.

His 5-Factor Fitness plan is something we should remember as we end the old year and welcome the new. Here’s what Harley wants us to do:

Eat 5 meals a day to boost your metabolism and reduce body fat; Follow 5 simple criteria for each meal and spend only 5 minutes preparing each one; Indulge in your weekly chat day – one day a week to eat the foods you love; Work out 5 days week, for only 25 minutes a day, to lose fat, gain lean muscle, increase energy.