Across the Lens: Stories of You and Me Issue VII 用我的眼睛看你的世界一周年特刊

TABLE OF CONTENTS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S PREFACE CONTRIBUTORS COVER ART STORY: NOELLE FEODORA MOK FOREWORD FEATURED ARTICLE SPECIAL ARTICLE THE STORY OF... 當中醫師坐上疫情過山車

1 4 5 9 15 22

28 BEHIND THE SHUTTER 34 5 LESSONS FROM A MASTERCHEF ON PURSUING 42 YOUR DREAM 不屈的聲音:對加籍華裔身份的反思 51 WILL YOU STILL KNOW CHINESE? 58 ENCOURAGING YOUTHS TO VOLUNTEER 71 EPILOGUE 75 SINCERE THANKS 79

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Samson Wong f 4ø’ Across U-hub Development Manager Editor-in-Chief

PREFACE• B ¤ How will youths define themselves?

Renowned thinker Edward de Bono explained that the human mind can shape itself to observe patterns and formulate actions that help them to survive and thrive. However, once the mind is shaped, it is not easy to be reshaped.

When I began teaching in college, I often felt out of touch with my students’ concerns and tastes. We laughed at different jokes, reacted to the news differently, and had different expectations for life.

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Therefore, instead of a one-way teaching relationship, I looked to my students to expand my horizon. I asked them to take turns introducing music they like, to form project topic based on their own interests and experiences, and to explain to me why they see things their way. While I will always be rooted in my own upbringing, I can at least try to find reference points to relate with their experience.

So, what patterns do youths observe in their surroundings that will guide them to make decisions and daily sacrifices that will enable them to survive and thrive? What motivates them? These are questions that Across the Lens will continue to ask.

Reading allows us to step beyond ourselves for a moment, to mentally engage with new ideas and experience. This year’s Across the Lens will continue to show us the world from the eyes of young people and the paths they have traversed.

Thank you for your support of this publication. I hope you will enjoy this issue. 究 竟 青 年 人 是 怎 樣 模 塑 自 己 的 呢？ 著 名 思 想 家 愛 德 華．德．博 諾 (Edward de Bono) 指

出，人 類 的 思 維 能 自 我 模 塑，遵 循 既 定 有 利 於 生 存 和 發 展 的 模 式 範 例，發 展 出 相 關 的 行 為 習 慣。然 而，一 旦 思 維 模 式 定 型，重 塑 絕 非 易 事。

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當 我 剛 開 始 在 學 院 授 課 之 時，接 觸 到 學 生 多 方 面 的 喜

好 品 味，我 時 常 感 到 脫 節。我 們 有 不 同 的 幽 默 感，對 時 事 新 聞 的 反 應 迥 異，對 生 活 的 期 待 亦 有 差 別。

故 此，比 起 單 向 的 教 學 關 係，我 更 樂 於 與 學 生 建 立 雙

向 的 交 流 關 係，來 開 拓 我 的 時 尚 視 野。我 請 他 們 輪 流 推 介 自 己 喜 愛 的 音 樂，按 他 們 的 興 趣 和 經 歷 擬 訂 課 程，並

向 我 闡 明 他 們 看 待 事 物 的 角 度 和 因 由。即 使 我 的 個 人 成

長 植 根 於 完 全 不 同 的 時 代，但 我 總 能 找 到 與 他 們 相 通 並 產 生 共 鳴 的 成 長 經 歷。

然 而，時 下 的 年 輕 人 在 處 身 的 環 境 中 是 以 哪 些 規 定 範

例 模 塑 自 我 作 為 生 存 和 發 展 的 導 向 呢？他 們 背 後 的 驅 動

力 是 甚 麼？這 些 都 是《 用 我 的 眼 睛 看 你 的 世 界 》想 要 繼 續 探 索 的 議 題。

閱 讀 使 我 們 能 夠 暫 時 跳 出 自 己 的 框 框，接 觸 新 的 概 念

和 見 聞。今 年 的《用 我 的 眼 睛 看 你 的 世 界》將 繼 續 向 我 們 展 視 青 年 人 眼 中 的 世 界 和 他 們 走 過 的 路 徑。

感 謝 你 對 本 刊 物 的 支 持，祈 願 本 期 能 給 你 帶 來 一 點 啟

發 和 閱 讀 的 樂 趣。

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CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER

ACROSS U-HUB

PUBLISHING SUPERVISOR NICOLE WONG

ADVISORY BOARD

MARIA YAU, NICOLE WONG

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SAMSON WONG

EDITORS HOLLY DU, JENELLE CHEN, JOYCE FOK, MELODY HO, NANCY FOK

WRITERS

ANGEL YANG, CELESTE CHEUNG, ENOCH LEUNG, JOEY LIN, JONATHAN FUNG, NELSON QIU, SAMSON WONG

INTERVIEWERS

ANGEL YANG, FIONA WANG, JOEY LIN, JONATHAN FUNG, KATHRYN WANG, NELSON QIU, SAMSON WONG

TRANSLATOR HAILEY CHEUNG, LEV

DESIGNERS NICOLE WONG, TIFFANY ORE

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COVER ART STORY: NOELLE FEODORA MOK

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Mango Fish Pudding

White Spray Paint, Black Acrylic, & Gold Pigment on Reclaimed Chinoiserie Plates

Varied Sizes Signed Open Varied Editions (OVE) No. 16 - 49

Can you tell us about yourself?

Hello! My name is Noelle Feodora Mok (b.1993) Toronto, Ontario, an emerging Canadian artist based in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I received a BFA specializing in Drawing and Painting at OCAD University and a certificate in Event Management: Event & Exhibit Design from Seneca College.

What are the themes you explore as an artist?

My artistic practice is an exploration of my life journey and unique struggles as a Chinese 6

Canadian in the current social climate. My subject matters center around depicting food, as well as exploring themes such as Chinoiserie and 19th century Dutch still lifes. I primarily create with acrylics and oils on canvas.

Can you tell us about this artwork?

This plate is part of an ongoing art edition series, to explore my struggles to affirm my multifaceted identity as a second generation Canadian. This series of work deconstructs and reconstructs discarded mass-produced fine china plates with Chinoiserie motifs.

The term Chinoiserie refers to a visual style that began in the 18th century, where artists in the West began imitating Chinese and Asian art. Can you tell us more about it?

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The “China” of this genre was born out of the Western fascinations and perceptions of the east to fit the West’s romanticized idealisms.

Interesting use of a visual style, can you tell us more about the symbolisms in the work?

The surface of the plates are transformed, infusing symbols and iconography of personal cultural memories - a “Mango Pudding Fish’’ painted using a technique reminiscent of Chinese ink wash painting. This act of reclamation covers most areas of the original motif belonging to these utilitarian mass produced “Chinas”. As a result, I interject myself back into the cultural fabrics of my ancestral past to study my place within the Cantonese Diaspora in Canada.

Visit https://www.instagram.com/noellefeodoramok/ to see more of her work.

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Maria Yau y '« Board of Director, Across U-hub

HOW OUR YOUNG CHINESE CANADIAN ADULTS ARE FINDING THEIR IDENTITY AND PASSIONS

,vI˝6ßS&7& I&>(l3 &x´.– Cc د 9

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appy New Year to all. We are pleased to announce the second year of Across U-hub’s e-publication, Across the Lens: The Stories of You and Me, written and produced by young people along with the guidance of Across U-hub members. As many of you may remember, Across U-hub marked the launch of their very first publication last February, focussing on the stories of first-generation immigrants and how they braved through the first year of the pandemic with their collective and altruistic spirit.

This year, the focus of our e-publication is on a second generation of Canadian-born voices, and the 1.5 generation who immigrated to Canada in their teens. Unlike their first-generation parents who mainly grew up in their own ethnic culture, these young Chinese Canadian adults were raised in two divergent cultural environments – traditional culture at home, and Western, or the so-called “dominant”, culture from school and their surrounding environments. While there are advantages to growing up in different cultures, we as parents might not be aware of the psychological dilemmas and conflicts they have been experiencing about their identity, and how that might have affected their self-worth and mental well-being. At the same time, as secondgeneration children, many Chinese Canadian youth have succumbed to parental expectations or social pressures to pursue conventional 10

professional paths. As a result, many grew up facing a sense of loss and a lack of fulfillment, or simply lacking happiness and agency.

Maria (left) conversing with youths at a fundraising event.

What this publication gives us is a fresh perspective on the experiences of young Chinese Canadian adults who are able to find their identity and to use their own voice. You will read stories of people who have reinvented themselves and successfully embarked on their own paths that they feel passionate about.

That is, to discover themselves, whether it’s about their identity or achieving their dreams.

While each story is unique, there is a common thread that all have undergone a period of soulsearching, experiments, trial and error, mistakes and failures. Despite their relatively young age, their journeys have been filled with struggles, obstacles. But their paths are also filled with 11

determination, and often a tipping or turning point where significant person(s) appear along their path to inspire and encourage them.

While these young adults deserve to be role models to the younger generation, their stories are also eye-opening for us as an elder generation to understand and appreciate our youth’s struggles under two cultures. They can help us to envision our potential to be the significant person for them through our encouragement and patience, to give them space to explore, make mistakes and finally thrive to be who they really are supposed to be.

Whether you are a young reader or a baby boomer like me, I hope you find these stories uplifting and inspiring. During this long period of uncertainty that we all have been going through in the midst of prolonged pandemic, these stories are timely to help instill a spirit of hope in our community and for our younger generations.

我

恭 祝 各 位 新 年 快 樂！步 入 虎 年，先 來 一 個 好 消 息， 燃 動 青 年 出 版 了 第 二 年 在 線 特 刊！在 我 們 的 導 師

指 導 下，年 輕 人 已 經 成 功 編 寫 並 製 作 了 2 0 2 2 年 2 月 號 的

《用我的眼睛看你的世界》 。相 信 大 家 都 會 記 得，燃 動 青

年 於 去 年 2 月 推 出 了 第 一 份 在 線 特 刊，重 點 講 述 了 第 一

代 移 民 的 故 事，以 及 他 們 如 何 以 團 結 和 無 私 的 精 神 勇 敢 地 渡 過 新 冠 肺 炎 肆 虐 的 第 一 年。 12

今 年，我 們 的 在 線 特 刊 重 點 講 述 了 第 二 代 加 拿 大 出 生

的 華 裔 青 年 和 在 孩 子 時 代 移 民 加 拿 大，稱 為「 1 . 5 代 」華

裔 青 年 的 故 事。這 些 年 輕 的 華 裔 加 拿 大 青 年 在 與 他 們 的 父 母 截 然 不 同 的 環 境 中 長 大。第 一 代 加 拿 大 移 民 父 母 主 要 在 原 居 的 民 族 文 化 中 長 大，而 他 們 的 子 女 則 在 兩 個 不 同 的 文 化 中 長 大，包 括 在 家 族 的 傳 統 文 化 和 在 學 校 或 周

邊 環 境 經 常 接 觸 到 的“ 主 流 ”文 化，即 西 方 文 化。雖 然 在 不 同 的 文 化 中 成 長 有 很 多 好 處，但 我 們 作 為 父 母 可 能 沒

有 意 識 到 他 們 在 身 份 方 面 所 經 歷 的 心 理 困 境 和 衝 突，以 及 這 些 因 素 如 何 影 響 他 們 的 自 我 價 值 和 心 理 健 康。與 此

Youths visiting Graffiti Alley.

同 時，許 多 華 裔 加 拿 大 青 年 因 為 父 母 的 期 望 或 社 會 壓 力

而 選 擇 了 傳 統 認 為 安 穩 的 職 業，結 果，他 們 當 中 有 一 些 人 會 因 此 而 缺 乏 快 樂 和 自 主 感，甚 至 感 到 失 落 和 缺 乏 成 就 感。

這 本 特 刊 物 為 我 們 提 供 了 一 個 嶄 新 的 視 角，讓 我 們 了

解 加 拿 大 華 裔 青 年 如 何 找 到 自 己 的 身 份 並 為 自 己 發 聲。 您可以細心閱讀他們在尋找過程中如何重塑自我的心

路 歷 程，以 及 他 們 如 何 在 自 己 喜 歡 的 職 業 中 發 光 發 熱 的 13

故 事，從 中 你 會 明 白 到 身 份 認 同 和 自 我 實 現 也 是 尋 找 自

我 過 程 中 的 重 要 課 題。雖 然 每 個 故 事 都 是 獨 一 無 二 的， 但 故 事 主 人 翁 們 都 有 一 個 共 同 點，那 就 是 他 們 都 經 歷 過 一 段 自 我 反 省、接 受 考 驗、遇 到 錯 誤 和 失 敗 的 時 期。儘 管

他 們 相 對 年 輕，但 他 們 的 旅 程 中 充 滿 了 爭 扎 和 障 礙。而 令 他 們 繼 續 走 下 去 的 決 心，往 往 來 自 一 個 轉 折 點，就 是 有 些 重 要 的 人 物 出 現 在 他 們 的 道 路 上，啟 發 和 鼓 勵 他 們 繼 續 前 行。

這 些 年 輕 人 的 故 事 除 了 成 為 年 輕 一 代 的 榜 樣 之 外，也

能 讓 我 們 老 一 輩 人 大 開 眼 界，讓 我 們 理 解 和 欣 賞 我 們 年

輕 人 在 兩 種 文 化 中 的 自 我 掙 扎。值 得 注 意 的 是，我 們 可 以 找 緊 機 會 發 揮 潛 能，做 他 們 的 重 要 人 物，那 就 是 耐 心 陪 伴 和 為 他 們 打 氣，給 他 們 探 索、犯 錯 的 空 間，最 終 他 們 會 昂 首 向 前，茁 壯 成 長，成 為 他 們 想 要 成 為 的 人。

無 論 你 是 年 輕 讀 者 還 是 像 我 這 樣 是 嬰 兒 潮 一 代，我 希

望 這 些 故 事 能 振 奮 和 啟 發 你。在 新 冠 肺 炎 的 長 期 陰 霾 下，我 們 可 能 會 束 手 無 策，有 一 種 無 力 感，我 相 信 這 些 及

時 出 版 的 故 事，至 少 在 一 個 瀰 漫 鬱 悶 氣 紛 的 社 區 中 打 開 一 個 缺 口，為 我 們 年 輕 一 代 點 燃 了 一 線 希 望 的 曙 光。

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View Video

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

- Ecclesiastes 3:11

Dr. Eric Fong Chair Professor in Sociology Head, Department of Sociology The University of Hong Kong

FEATURED ARTICLE

Featured Article Presented by

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any people have been immigrating to Canada for the sake of their children.

They hope that their children can receive good education and will grow up in a healthy social and physical environment. In the beginning of the last century, studies on immigrants and their children focused on European immigrants in the US and Canada and examined how socioeconomic and demographic background of immigrant families shapes their children’s integration. These studies in general have shown that most children of immigrants would eventually be fully integrated into the society in the long run (Fong and Berry 2017).

Over the past half century, researchers began to question this rosy picture of immigrant integration (Bean and Stevens 2003, Portes and Zhou 1993). Researchers started to realize that the family’s socioeconomic resources influence

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the integration process of immigrant children not just in the short run but also in the long run (Portes and Rumbaut 2001). Immigrant children from families with more resources tend to be better integrated into the society, whereas their counterparts from families with fewer resources tend to remain in the lower socioeconomic strata, unable to be fully integrated into the mainstream society. At the same time, studies also found that the immigrant community plays an important role in shaping the integration pattern of immigrants by providing crucial support for immigrant families. The immigrant community, often made up of people of a particular ethnic origin, provides social, emotional, and financial support to immigrant families (Fong and Berry 2017). For example, the ethnic economy presents job opportunities to co-ethnic members and help some families to secure financial stability.

Through pulling resources together and arranging services, such as after-school tutorials and youth programs, ethnic communities provide immigrant youths with social and educational support and facilitate their better integration in the larger society.

This understanding of the role of ethnic communities transforms our understanding of immigrant integration. The key implication is that immigrants do not need to be detached from their own ethnic communities in order to be integrated 18

into the larger society. Instead, maintaining ethnic attachment can have positive impact on their integration process. Ethnic communities can facilitate, not hinder, the integration process of immigrants and their children into the wide society through providing them with resources and support and preparing immigrant youths to participate fully in the wider society (Fong, Shibuya and Berry 2022).

In recent decades, studies point out that participating in the ethnic community helps immigrants and their children to maintain connection with their place of origin (Fong and Berry 2017, Waldinger 2015). Through activities in the community, immigrants can obtain firsthand information about their place of origin. Their children can maintain a sense of ethnic identity that helps them navigate through multiethnic societies like Canada.

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In short, our understanding of immigrant integration has shifted from having a “zero sum” relationship with ethnic communities to having a mutually supportive relationship. We now understand that ethnic communities provide resources and support to help immigrants and their children better integrate into the larger society.

References

Bean, Frank D. and Gillian Stevens. 2003. America’s Newcomers and the Dynamics of Diversity . New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

Fong, Eric and Brent Berry. 2017. Immigration and the City. New York: Polity Press.

Fong, Eric, Kumiko Shibuya and Brent Berry. 2022. Segregation . New York: Polity Press.

Portes, Alejandro and Min Zhou. 1993. The New Second Generation: Segmented Assimilation , Vol. 530: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science.

Portes, Alejandro and Ruben G. Rumbaut. 2001. Legacies: The Story of the Immigrant Second Generation. Berkeley and New York: University of California Press and Russell Sage Foundation.

Waldinger, Roger. 2015. The Cross-Border Connection: Immigrants, Emigrants, and Their Homelands . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

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Dr. Alfred Lam Executive Director, Centre for Immigrant and Community Services

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ack in 2015, the Conference Board of Canada published a study that projected the long-term economic outlook of our country. It was estimated that by the year 2035, 100% of Canada’s net population growth will come from immigration.

Let’s think about that statement for a moment.

By 2035, a short 13 years from now, 100% of Canada’s net population growth will come from immigration.

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This means how we welcome newcomer youths into our country today, the way we assist them to integrate into their communities, the way we empower them to become engaged citizens will determine what Canada will look like a half generation from today. We are at a unique “tipping point” in our country’s history where this generation of immigrant youth has the power and the potential to not only shape the course of their lives, but to determine the future of the country that is now their new home.

I am currently the Executive Director of the Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS), a large immigrant settlement service agency that has been serving the communities in the Greater Toronto Area for more than 50 years. The changing demographic of immigrants required us to expand to different parts of the city, providing service in various languages. As the needs of immigrants are varied and complex, 23

we now provide language classes, employment support programs, settlement counseling services, foodbank, as well as specialized services for youth, women and seniors.

Ask different people what they think CICS’ main mission is, and you will get a wide variety of answers. We are English teachers, employment consultants, settlement counsellors, youth workers, community program providers, and we play a number of other roles and wear a few other hats. From my perspective, I believe there is one other role we play that arguably is more fundamental and crucial than these other ones I mentioned: We are story tellers.

I say that because while we are at a junction in Canada’s history when immigration and the development of our immigrant youth is crucial to the future of our country, at the same time anti-immigration sentiment has become more overt and emboldened than ever before. There are a number of factors that contribute to it and it is beyond the purpose of this article for me to enter into that discussion. But as an illustration, in 2017 McGill Institute for the Study of Canada published a nationwide study and survey designed to gauge the population’s attitude towards immigration, entitled: “Canadian 24

Exceptionalism: Are we good, or are we lucky?”.

In one of the findings, the study revealed that over 50% of the respondents are opened to the idea of “stopping all immigration into Canada”.

Much of the anti-immigration rhetoric is based on a narrative, loosely stitched together with worn out half-truths and myths that are at best ill-informed and at worst outright racist and discriminatory. But nevertheless, these sentiments have taken root in some people’s minds, because our minds are designed to remember stories. In my work, I have learned there is only one way to combat a bad narrative built on bad stories: You have to provide a better narrative, and tell better stories.

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I believe in telling the stories of immigrants, and let their stories inspire our communities and other immigrants. My colleagues and I work with youth to give them the tools they need to tell their own stories: music, drama, writing, public speaking, communication training, and so on. As part of that effort, two years ago we partnered with Centennial College’s Story Arts Centre to produce a short film* to illustrate what can happen when just one person believes in the potential of an immigrant youth, and the impact that can create for our country.

We believe in telling the stories of our youth, not only for the growth of the youths themselves, but because ultimately, our immigrant youths’ stories of today will become the story of Canada tomorrow.

Footnote: *The film is simply entitled“2035”and has been featured in the 2020 Canada Shorts – Canadian & International Short Film Festival and the 2021 Regent Park Film Festival.

Here is the YouTube link to the short film“2035”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd7spf_MAf4&t=50s

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j’%H‡Ah3% j{E Œ> Œ INTERVIEWED & WRITTEN BY Joey Lin & Jonathan Fung 28

當

得 知 這 次 會 採 訪 一 位 中 醫 時，我 們 想 當 然 他 是 一 位 經 驗 豐 富 的 老 醫 師，但 原 來 是 一 位 年 輕 的 醫 師

Jireh，我 們 感 到 非 常 驚 訝 和 興 奮！

我 們 從 準 備 好 的 問 題 開 始， 「 COVID-19 疫 情 對 你 的 業

務 有 何 影 響？」Jireh 迅 速 回 應，疫 情 對 他 的 個 人 和 工 作

生 活 來 說 像 坐 過 山 車。他 從 沒 想 過 這 輩 子 會 發 生 這 樣 的 疫 症，但 他 選 擇 積 極 面 對，在 逆 境 中 尋 找 樂 園。

由 於 我 對 Jireh 進 入 這 個 行 業 的 歷 程 很 感 興 趣，我 有

一 個 想 法，他 在 學 生 時 代 一 定 從 未 想 過 選 擇 做 一 個 中 醫

師。所 以 在 訪 問 開 始 後 不 久，我 就 忘 掉 了 準 備 好 的 問 題， 改 為 問 他 入 行 的 歷 程。

正 如 我 所 料，Jireh 說 他 在 大 學 主 修 生 態 和 城 市 規 劃，

和 許 多 大 學 生 一 樣，對 自 己 想 要 從 事 的 職 業 沒 有 一 個 清 晰 的 概 念。Jireh 承 認，他 的 父 親 對 他 的 職 業 決 定 影 響 最

大。父 親 是 一 名 中 醫 師，在 萬 錦 市 經 營 一 家 醫 館，在 很 多 人 看 來，繼 承 父 業 似 乎 是 理 所 當 然 的 事，但 從 事 中 醫 師 卻 是 另 一 回 事。其 中 一 個 相 當 大 的 障 礙 是 語 言，Jireh 在 29

加 拿 大 土 生 土 長，英 語 是 他 的 主 要 語 言，然 而，中 文 是 中 醫 師 必 須 使 用 的 主 要 語 言，Jireh 要 努 力 學 習 中 文，不 僅

閱 讀 和 書 寫，更 困 難 的 是 要 理 解 和 使 用 一 大 堆 難 懂 的 專 業 術 語。除 了 語 言，Jireh 還 需 要 下 很 多 功 夫 來 應 付 加 拿

大 人 和 中 國 人 的 文 化 差 異，這 將 極 大 地 影 響 他 的 職 業 發 展，成 長 中，他 在 不 知 不 覺 中 融 合 了 兩 種 文 化，但 為 了 充

分 發 展 自 己 的 事 業，他 必 須 準 確 地 拿 捏 兩 種 文 化 的 獨 特 之 處。

回 到 我 們 準 備 好 的 問 題， 「 作 為 一 名 中 醫 師，你 在 這 次

疫 情 中 學 到 了 什 麼，改 變 了 什 麼？」

Jireh 頓 了 頓，說 道： 「 學 會 做 人。」他 解 釋 說： 「在這個

變 幻 莫 測 的 時 期，我 學 會 了 放 下 醫 患 關 係、老 闆 員 工 關

係，用 同 理 心 對 待 遇 到 的 每 個 人，視 大 家 為 一 家 人，我 們

同 舟 共 濟，在 我 的 醫 館 裏 不 會 有 階 級 劃 分。」他 用 簡 單 的

幾 句 話 和 實 際 行 動 回 答 了 我 的 問 題，令 我 感 受 到 偉 大 領 袖 的 魅 力。

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COVID-19對 Jireh的 業 務 有 很 大 的 影 響，甚 至 一 度 被 迫 關 閉，他 不 得 不 暫 時 裁 員。Jireh 慶 幸 員 工 在 被 解 僱 時

能 夠 領 取 政 府 的 福 利 金，在 停 職 期 間 他 與 員 工 保 持 聯 繫 和 友 誼。

醫 館 關 閉 期 間，Jireh 轉 到 在 線 應 診，他 和 父 親 一 起 幫

助 患 者 渡 過 了 這 段 充 滿 挑 戰 的 時 期。許 多 患 者 尋 求 幫 助 並 不 是 因 為 身 體 不 適，而 是 需 要 心 理 健 康 支 持，Jireh 特

別 提 到 一 位 孕 婦，她 在 疫 程 期 間 懷 孕，承 受 著 雙 重 壓 力。 還 有 些 人 以 消 極 的 方 式 應 對 COVID-19，對 他 們 的 心 理 健 康 造 成 很 多 負 面 影 響。

「 在 這 些 情 況 下，最 好 的 方 法 是 用 心 傾 聽 並 幫 助 他 們

平 靜 下 來。」Jireh 說： 「應他們的要求為他們祈禱也很有

幫 助。」Jireh 自 己 的 生 活 也 受 到 了 疫 情 的 影 響，他 深 知 運 動 會 讓 他 保 持 身 體 健 康，然 而，在 很 多 設 施 都 關 閉 的

情 況 下，他 需 要 付 出 額 外 的 努 力 才 能 跟 上 他 的 日 常 健 身 和 鍛 練 習 慣。他 笑 言 自 己 在 疫 情 期 間 長 胖 了，情 緒 也 受 到 了 影 響，甚 至 影 響 了 他 對 病 人 和 家 人 的 關 懷。

Jireh 深 吸 了 口 氣，說 道： 「 遇 到 那 些 每 天 都 被 恐 懼、不

確 定 和 憤 怒 籠 罩 的 人 並 不 好 受，很 多 人 在 逆 境 中 盲 目 向 前，這 是 很 危 險 的。我 看 到 有 許 多 積 極 的 克 服 方 法，不

僅 能 幫 助 我 應 對 這 次 疫 情，還 有 助 我 面 對 未 來 的 危 機。

」Jireh 認 為 與 家 人 保 持 良 好 的 溝 通 非 常 重 要，不 僅 可 以

幫 助 他 應 對 逆 境，還 可 以 感 受 到 互 相 依 靠 和 一 同 堅 持 的

力 量。他 也 很 感 激 教 會 群 體，他 期 待 每 週 的 在 線 聚 會，在 那 裡 他 可 以 分 享 並 找 到 穩 妥 和 正 能 量。

每 個 人 都 意 識 到 疫 情 之 後 的 世 界 會 有 所 不 同，我 問

Jireh疫 情 之 後 他 有 什 麼 計 劃。 31

他 頓 時 興 奮 了 起 來，說： 「我已經迫不及待地要開始我

為 醫 館 構 思 的 計 劃 了。」Jireh 希 望 為 醫 館 重 新 定 位，讓 醫 館 更 方 便 新 患 者，首 先，他 要 翻 新 醫 館 的 面 貌，以 顏 色、文 字 和 燈 光 增 添 現 代 感，讓 不 同 背 景 的 患 者 感 到 舒 適 和 親 切。

年 輕 人 總 是 有 一 個 願 景，就 是 他 們 的 職 業 生 涯 是 有 意

義 的。受 父 親 的 啟 發，Jireh 對 中 醫 業 在 西 方 社 會 的 發 展 寄 予 厚 望。他 相 信，中 醫 療 術 終 有 一 天 會 成 為 加 拿 大 人

生 活 的 重 要 部 分，越 來 越 多 人 會 尋 求 中 醫 的 建 議 和 幫 助。他 預 期 自 已 的 雙 文 化 身 份 是 中 西 醫 之 間 的 橋 樑。說 話 間，我 看 見 他 的 眼 中 閃 爍 著 希 望。

採 訪 結 束 之 前，Jireh 真 誠 地 給 了 我 們 一 些 建 議。他 說：

「 疫 情 期 間，我 們 要 保 持 清 醒 的 頭 腦 和 積 極 的 人 生 觀， 繼 續 努 力，對 明 天 充 滿 希 望。雖 然 我 們 減 少 了 社 交 活 動， 但 要 保 持 人 與 人 之 間 的 關 愛，想 想 自 己 能 為 別 人 和 社 區 做 點 什 麼，因 為 給 予 比 接 受 更 快 樂。這 不 僅 是 在 經 濟 上

幫 助 他 人，而 是 讓 自 己 進 入 他 人 的 生 活 中 並 了 解 他 們 的 需 要，你 會 發 現 你 可 以 在 很 多 方 面 提 供 幫 助。通 過 幫 助 他 人，你 會 找 到 你 的 人 生 目 標。」

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BEHIND THE SHUTTERHOW I USED PHOTOGRAPHY TO COPE WITH THE PANDEMIC

WRITTEN BY Enoch Leung 34

D

uring the seemingly endless waves of pandemic torture, it has become more and more important for us to find ways to spend the time we have, if not thriving, to at least continue on with a strange new chapter of our lives. For many of us, we have found enjoyment with new hobbies such as baking, gaming, or tinkering. For me, my muse was with photography.

How I started with photography I first started doing photography in 2017, initially using my phone camera, and then upgrading to a DSLR. While attending Ryerson University, I would often bring my camera to campus and use it for street photography whenever I needed a study break. The camera motivated me to explore the world around me, going to places I normally wouldn’t have a reason to visit, and being willing to take risks and look out of the ordinary. While the COVID-19 pandemic meant that I couldn’t go downtown to the places I used to go as a student, I could certainly explore my own neighbourhood and continue to practice my hobby.

I initially started out photographing wildlife in my neighbourhood—mostly birds that had returned for the spring, along with rabbits and even a deer in a ravine. As the weather warmed, I began to visit the local park more frequently, where there was a small skatepark. One day, I 35

met a BMX rider who was a year younger than I was. We had gone to the same schools, but never knew each other until that day. I took his photo, and he liked it immediately. At first, I didn’t think very much of that moment, but because of pandemic isolation I kept coming back to the skatepark. Soon, I was a regular face there, meeting many of my neighbours for the very first time.

I could never imagined that photographing a stranger at the local skatepark would open a door into the BMX world to me.

At the time, I was attending online classes at Seneca College. It was difficult for me to form social connections with any of my peers or professors. To me, they were little more than talking heads on a computer screen, no different from a pre-recorded video. We couldn’t physically be with each other and read each other’s body language, and our conference calls were frequently interrupted with lag and background noise. Photography was not only a fun and 36

rewarding pastime when I needed a study break, but it also motivated me to see people in-person again. After a full day of being behind a screen, I needed to be with other.

A year into the pandemic I was unemployed for most of 2021, though luckily I was eligible for CRB funding. While my job search turned up fruitless for most of the year, I refused to remain idle and filled my days with my passion, taking up photography courses

A photo I took for a kid at another skatepark. He later used it as his Instagram profile picture.

online and practicing in the field. I pushed myself to improve my photos with different compositions, techniques, and editing styles. I also explored various other locations to shoot in, owing to a drop in COVID-19 cases over the summer.

37

At the same time, I sought to expand the connections I made during the first year of the pandemic, broadening my network while also seeking a closer, more personal relationship with my subjects. People who are comfortable with the photographer act more naturally in front of the camera, allowing for more realistic poses. Combine this with an understanding and appreciation of photography, the photos taken are many miles above the typical selfies that most people are familiar with.

The battle against loneliness Loneliness has been described as an epidemic of the 21st century, even though we as a species are more connected than ever before. It shows that, even with tools such as the Internet that allow us to reach millions of people, we can still feel lonely and excluded. The good news is that we can fight it—even during the pandemic.

I have a challenge for you: what is something that you are very passionate about? It could be a hobby, an object, or even a really good idea. How can you use it to connect with others? Can you use it to bring a blessing into the life of someone who needs it most?

It’s hard to connect with other people over the Internet. However, the good news is that we can still safely have small gatherings outdoors, 38

and there are many opportunities for us to bond and connect. Your neighbours are a great place to start. Have you been living as a ghost in your neighbourhood, with the occasional wave from your neighbours being the only interaction you’ve had with other people on your street? The pandemic is the perfect opportunity for you to know your neighbours better—and if they know about your skills and passions, this can open a door of opportunities and new connections for you. You may have the skills that your neighbour needs. Or maybe your neighbour is lonely too, and you can help break the ice. You’ll never know until you try.

One of the subjects I photographed. He was comfortable around me and allowed me to get this photo of him talking to his mother over the phone.

You can follow Enoch on Instagram at @czar_hey, or visit his website at https://www.enochleungphotography.com/.

39

5 LESSONS FROM A MASTERCHEF ON PURSUING YOUR DREAMS INTERVIEWED & WRITTEN BY Angel Yang & Nelson Qiu 42

O

n a Saturday evening, we sat down with Christopher Siu, the 2021 winner of MasterChef, to discuss his journey in pursuing his dreams. Christopher grew up in Markham and studied pharmacy at the University of Toronto.

After a few years working as a pharmacist, Christopher decided to pursue his dream of becoming a baker, and entered MasterChef in 2015. Although he did not win that year, the experience kick-started his career in the food industry. His bakery, called Daan Go Cake Lab, now has 6 locations in the GTA.

Finding your path Christopher’s journey of pursuing his dreams as a baker began early. He had loved baking and tasting sweets from a young age, but instead, he studied pharmacy and worked in that profession for several years before switching paths. Like 43

many youths in this generation who struggle to find their path, Christopher’s change of career required risk taking and determination. He advises that if you do not know what you want to do in the future, you need to go out and explore different paths and opportunities. Once you know what makes you happy, don’t be afraid to dive into it. It was this belief that fueled him to pursue the culinary arts.

Linking your passion and goal Once you know what you want to pursue, you must figure out your goals. Ask yourself ‘What am I trying to achieve?’, and take steps towards it. Christopher believes that you must be honest to yourself and evaluate along the way, saying that “If you’re not passionate, then you probably shouldn’t be doing it. If it doesn’t get you to your goals, then you definitely shouldn’t be doing it.”

Guided by his passion and his plans, he poured his energy toward achieving his goals.

Persevere through hard times Before Christopher opened his first bakery, he worked full time as a pharmacist. Baking was his passion, but he was not ready to switch careers yet. During this period, he worked at the pharmacy in the day and practiced baking at night until 3am. He endured those hard times 44

in order to create his recipes and build up a clientele for his baking business.

After preparing to open his business for several years, Christopher was confident that it would succeed. So he took the leap and quit his day job.

The bakery continues to be a success. Being a business owner means that he is the one responsible for both the good and the bad times of the business. These last two years, small businesses have struggled immensely because of the pandemic. However, Christopher chose to turn this challenging time into an opportunity.

When pastry orders decreased, he used the time to invest in delivery systems and recipe development. He took advantage of the situation and managed to grow his business by 80% in 2020.

45

Christopher shared with us the importance of having a positive mindset. This does not only apply to business owners, but for everyone.

When life throws unexpected challenges your way, you must be able to adapt and stay positive.

Take breaks Even the successful baker admits that he sometimes feels ‘burnt’. Christopher gave us the advice of taking breaks when feeling overwhelmed. When one of his projects hit a dead end, he would set it aside until he can come back with a fresh set of eyes, sometimes with more skills and experiences. With social media opening youths to the world nowadays, it is easy for them to feel they cannot stop in order to keep up with competitors. Christopher stressed that rest is not only important for our mental health,

46

but that some of his best inspirations happened when he stepped back from his work.

Don’t be afraid of failure As Christopher recalls, breaking into the baking profession was never simple. He considers his initial appearance on MasterChef as a failure because he did not win, but he learnt from the experience and returned stronger to win the contest. During the conversation, we were inspired by Christopher’s strong mentality and the way he dealt with failure. He stated that success without failure does not exist; if it does, you are most likely missing out on something important, and that is not success. He also said that it is impossible to grow continuously without failure. In other words, failures are steps toward success.

47

Christopher explained how he overcame selfdoubts when making decisions in the kitchen and in life. First, he imagines everything he needs in an ideal situation. But instead of waiting for all the elements to fall in place, he weighs what he already has and takes action. Christopher believes that if you only act in ideal situations, then you are probably too late. Whether it is a business plan or a recipe, believe in your judgment and prepare to take some risks. Perfect scenarios do not exist, use whatever you have and work towards your ideals.

After our interview with Christopher, we sat down and reflected about the lessons that we learned. We appreciate his determination, his thinking style in making decisions, and his perseverance through hard times. As youth, we are inspired by how he turned his passion for baking into his career.

The 5 lessons Christopher gave are not new, but it is inspiring to hear how he puts them into practice. Like preparing and passing an exam, winning the MasterChef was just one milestone on his journey. The real challenge is to establish and grow his business, something that demonstrates his ongoing commitment to his love of the culinary arts.

All photos courtesy of IG accounts: @daangocakelab and @bakersiu

48

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%=˛l3~« =t,vv SX &xl3.ZD INTERVIEWED BY: Fiona & Kathryn Wang WRITTEN BY: Celeste Cheung 51

身

為 華 裔 青 少 年，我 們 常 被 告 誡 : 保 持 沉 默，屈 就 所 處 環 境。我 們 今 天 採 訪 的 人 提 供 了 不 同 的 角 度。

Evelyn Kwong 是 多 倫 多 星 報 的 編 輯 和 記 者，亦 是 網 路 廣 播 節 目 (podcast)Made In 之 聯 合 主 播。她 訴 說 自 己

青 少 年 時 在 一 個 非 亞 裔 社 區 成 長 的 掙 扎，她 强 調 為 自 己 發 聲 的 重 要 性，我 們 每 個 人 均 可 從 中 獲 得 啟 迪。

Evelyn 先 從 自 己 的 背 景 說 起，她 生 於 一 個 住 在 以 白 人

為 主 的 社 區，講 粵 語 的 單 親 家 庭。從 幼 稚 園 開 始，她 就 經 歷 了 許 多 痛 苦 掙 扎。她 常 被 同 學 霸 凌，被 欺 侮 到 一 個 地 步 恨 不 得 將 家 人 做 的 每 一 個 中 式 午 餐 扔 掉。

盡 管 她 努 力 適 應 學 校，和 徹 底 否 認 自 己 的 亞 裔 身 份，

她 仍 然 擺 脫 不 了 自 己 是 不 同 的 事 實，她 曾 經 歷 過 精 神 危

機，極 感 憂 鬱。這 情 況 貫 穿 了 她 的 青 少 年 期，直 到 她 遇 到 一 位 歷 史 老 師，這 位 老 師 引 導 她 拓 闊 自 己 的 視 野，接 納 自 己 的 身 份。直 到 今 時 今 日，Evelyn 仍 深 感 慶 幸 自 己 遇 到 這 位 對 她 產 生 了 深 遠 影 響 的 歷 史 老 師。

52

為迎戰那些基於她哥哥的學習成績而瞧不起她的

人，Evelyn 決 心 為 自 己，為 單 親 家 庭 付 出 巨 大 努 力 以 證 明 自 己 的 能 力。雖 然 她 在 學 校 並 不 多 言，但 她 很 慶 幸 自

己 有 語 言 天 賦，她 渴 望 在 主 流 中 為 自 己 的 身 份 發 聲 的 願 望 也 逐 漸 萌 芽。

因 其 成 長 環 境，她 得 以 鍛 鍊 自 己 慎 思 明 辦 的 能 力。經

過 深 思 熟 慮，她 想 向 他 人 講 述 她 的 經 歷 的 願 望 越 來 越 强 烈。

踏 入 懷 爾 遜 大 學 之 後，Evelyn 修 讀 菁 英 電 台 和 電 視 節

目 課。她 是 班 上 寥 寥 無 幾 的 華 人 學 生 之 一。在 大 學 第 四 年 級，她 成 為 星 報 的 實 習 記 者。在 看 到 以 白 人 為 主 的 媒

體 對 亞 裔 人 仕 之 偏 見，以 及 自 己 成 長 的 經 歷，Evelyn 認 為 這 是 一 個 讓 自 己 締 造 改 變 的 機 會。

隨 著 時 間 過 去，Evelyn 培 養 出 强 烈 的 原 創 力，她 學 曉

了 採 取 主 動，因 為 機 會 不 會 自 動 降 落 到 自 己 的 身 上。對

自 幼 養 成 較 為 保 守 的 華 裔 青 少 年，她 鼓 勵 他 們 要 放 眼 看 自 己 身 外 一 個 更 大 的 世 界，不 要 窩 在 自 己 的 安 樂 泡 泡 裏 :

「 我 們 要 多 些 留 意 時 事，明 瞭 自 己 周 遭 正 在 發 生 些 什 麼 事。」

舉 例 來 說，認 識「黑 命 貴」(Black Lives Matter) 和「終

止 仇 視 亞 裔」(Anti-Asian Racism) 運 動 的 重 要 性，以 及 我 們 必 須 一 起 並 肩 作 戰 對 付 種 族 歧 視。論 到 加 籍 華 人

時，Evelyn 臧 否 在 我 們 的 系 統 中 發 展 出 的「 少 數 族 裔 模 範 生 」(Elite Minority) 之 說，此 詞 將 我 們 描 繪 成 所 有 少

數 族 裔 的「模 範 生」 。「這 是 在 白 人 文 化 系 統 抓 一 群 人 出 來，打 造 一 個 偽 社 會 階 層 金 字 塔 … … 讓 人 旁 觀 他 們 彼

此 爭 競。」Evelyn 說。隨 此 說 而 來 的 是 咱 華 裔「 聰 明，沉 53

言 寡 語」的 刻 板 形 像，事 實 上，我 們 之 間 有 許 多 不 同 觀 點 與 角 度，以 及 個 性。

Evelyn 說 ﹕「 若 你 要 他 們 視 你 為 一 個 獨 立 的 個 人，有

機 會 在 工 作 上 發 光，或 昇 遷，大 家 就 必 須 重 新 瞭 解 何 為 亞 裔 人，切 勿 一 竹 篙 打 一 船 人。」

Evelyn 進 一 步 說 明，我 們 的 教 科 書 大 大 削 弱 了 加 籍 華

人 歷 年 來 對 加 拿 大 作 出 的 貢 獻。盡 管 許 許 多 多 加 籍 華 人 超 越 障 礙 建 設 橫 貫 加 拿 大 的 太 平 洋 鐡 路，在 第 二 次 世 界

大戰中參軍前赴海外作戰等有關他們貢獻的報導少之 又 少。

Photographer: Shih-I Liu

Evelyn 鼓 勵 我 們 多 發 掘 在 課 本 中 缺 失 了 我 們 華 人 的

歷 史，並 以 自 己 的 身 份 為 榮，這 是 她 成 長 時 不 知 道 的。她 說 ﹕「 倘 若 沒 有 那 些 站 起 來 發 聲 的 華 裔 加 拿 大 人，並 給 了 我 們 投 票 權，我 們 將 不 會 在 這 裏。」

Evelyn 鼓 勵 年 輕 人 為 不 公 發 聲，不 過，要 站 在 合 適 的

平 台，和 有 備 而 戰。我 們 先 和 家 人 和 朋 友 談 談，然 後，調

查 研 究 該 題 目，在 社 交 媒 體 上 開 聲 之 前，先 看 看 有 沒 有 54

人 談 及，我 們 容 易 䧟 入 極 端 偏 峰，這 是 非 常 危 險 的。先 組

織 好 自 己 的 敘 事，永 遠 有 益 無 害，還 有，最 重 要，我 們 需 要 包 容 各 方 不 同 的 觀 點，並 且 對 自 己 的 觀 點 要 有 信 心。

今 時 今 日，Evelyn 使 用 自 己 的 新 聞 報 道 和 播 客 節 目 來

敘 述 堅 韌 不 拔 的 亞 洲 人 民 的 故 事，她 深 以 此 為 榮，並 希 望 更 多 人 投 身 倡 議 我 們 的 文 化，以 我 們 的 根 為 榮。

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Learning Chinese in the park (Photo courtesy of the Cantonese Group)

WILL YOU STILL KNOW CHINESE?

INTERVIEWED & WRITTEN BY: Samson Wong 58

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ould you want your child to learn your mother tongue?

In this story, we meet three Chinese-Canadian parents who are members of a parent group for their children to learn Cantonese. The group had gone through several phases over the years, from a Cantonese circle time at the Yorkville Library to weekly play-dates and Cantonese learning gatherings at a church, park, a member’s home, and, most recently, online.

The photos and videos, along with participation in the virtual group’s classes, communicate a bond among the parents and the children that resembles a community more than a class. As our interview progressed, it became apparent that learning Cantonese in the group was as much for the parents as for the children.

We begin with the story of Terri.

Terri - Learning Chinese in London, Ontario Terri was born in Canada and grew up in London, Ontario. Her parents’ Chinese restaurant kept them so busy that Terri would sometimes not see them for several days in a row. Similar to many new immigrants, her parents focused their efforts on establishing their livelihood, a task that took their attention away from their children.

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Terri and her family (Photo courtesy of Terri)

Cantonese was a required language at home and, when her mother had time, she would correct Terri’s pronunciation. In addition to practicing Cantonese when helping at the restaurant, she was exposed to Cantonese at a young age, through the sound of Cantonese from Hong Kong television dramas and the presence of Chinese books in her home. Terri would flip through them and asked what the characters were, but no one had the time to answer. She attended Saturday Chinese school for several years. But the experience was so poor that her parents did not force her to continue.

Terri’s spoken Cantonese was sufficiently fluent, but she could only read a few dozen characters. It was not until recently, with the support of others in the Cantonese group, that she began to learn Chinese character by 60

character, to the point where she can now read simple books to her children.

Television shows continue to be an important channel for Terri to not only learn Chinese but also to learn about the history and customs behind the historical dramas that Terri loves, such as “Story of Yanxi Palace”《延 禧 攻 略》. “Many times when I didn’t understand something, I would take a picture and ask Quin. And she would send me links where I could read about it”.

Quin - Coming to Canada as a Teenager Quin was born and raised in Hong Kong. She went to Ottawa to study after she finished Grade 9. Her father told her specifically not to spend time learning Chinese and not to hang around Chinese people, but to instead focus on English and her studies.

Having lived in Hong Kong and studied in Chinese until she was 14 years old, her Chinese was quite proficient. She read the entire collection of Gum Yung’s novels one winter, which kept up her Chinese language skills and sustained her interest in Chinese history.

She later joined the Cantonese debate team in university where she further developed her oral and written skills and worked as a Chinese radio newscaster.

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When Quin became a parent, she had not given much thought to her children learning Chinese.

By chance, she was approached by parent and educator Eveline at the Yorkville Library, who was running a Cantonese circle time there. Through this connection, Quin took part in forming the Cantonese group that slowly expanded to include like-minded parents such as Terri and Charing.

Cantonese circle time at Yorkville Library (Photo courtesy of Cantonese Group)

Charing – Friends, Comics and Cantopop “Most of my peers’ children barely speak any Cantonese, but the parents and children in this group made me believe that I can do it too.”

Charing came to Canada after finishing grade 2 in Hong Kong. She also attended Saturday Chinese class, reflecting that “although I did 62

learn something, it was definitely not motivating”.

Instead, she learnt the language through use and socialization.

She enjoyed many hours of Hong Kong television drama and read translated Japanese comics. While her primary school had few Chinese people, her high school had newer immigrants whom she befriended. From them, she started enjoying Cantopop, went to karaoke, and enjoyed bubble tea.

As her social circle changed during university and as her career took off, she once again used very little Cantonese. Finally, she married someone who was not Chinese and gave up hopes that her children would be fluent in the language; however, meeting other parents in the Cantonese group rekindled that hope for her children.

Story time in the cold (Photo courtesy of Cantonese Group)

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Establishing a learning community The founding of the group is usually attributed to Eveline, a certified Canadian teacher who also wants to pass down Cantonese to her daughter.

However, the conceiving, shaping, and running of the group seems to be shared among the parents.

Before each session, they discussed what to learn, who would tell a story, lead the game, lead the song, or bring a cake. These activities are led by the parents themselves but, sometimes, the children help and the experience becomes more than merely interactive; the children start to take ownership of the group.

Terri was motivated to shape an experience for her children that was different from what she

Learning Chinese characters through board games (Photo courtesy of Cantonese Group)

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went through as a child. “Anyone willing could have taught in those Saturday Chinese school and they had little expectations for us. For our children, the last thing I want to do is make them hate it”.

Another parent of the group, Kitty, who came to Canada in grade 8, described that “the Saturday Chinese school follows a traditional relationship between teacher and student, where only the teacher speaks”.

In contrast, the format of the Cantonese group can be described as child-led. This means that the parents prepare and adjust the flow and the materials according to the interests and state of the children.

The socialization that occurs during the gathering is perhaps the most important element.

As Charing expressed, “I want Chinese to be a peer language, not just something that parents teach.” The games and snacks are for the children (and the parents) to simply have fun and interact in Cantonese. Quin described this interaction, “Learning together as a group, they can chat in Cantonese together, make friends, and it ended up they talk more Cantonese than we expected.”

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Motivation to Learn Being in touch with others of a similar background, the parents described a sense of missed opportunity among local-born Chinese who are interested in picking up the language and culture, for both their children and themselves.

Charing launched an English-only online bookstore in 2020 that sells Chinese children’s books from Asia. She spent hours translating Chinese descriptions into English because many customers are parents who are learning the language with their child. The motivation that arises when parents and children learn together is mutually reinforcing.

A father reading to child (Photo courtesy of Kitty Chan)

The group interview sparked so much discussion that it was difficult to attribute the motivation to learn Cantonese to a single reason.

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Speaking Cantonese or Mandarin to relatives and grandparents were certainly a common motivator.

The importance of language in childhood was also discussed. Finally, there was the urge to pass down their heritage to the next generation.

Yet, there seemed to be something more fundamental. When their (our) speech lapsed between English and Cantonese, I felt both a sense of pride and an invitation to connect.

Beyond the goal of learning Chinese was an urge to explore a part of our shared identity that is waiting to blossom.

Snack time during gatherings (Photo courtesy of Cantonese Group)

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ENCOURAGING YOUTHS TO VOLUNTEER

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any parents arrange activities for their children, from tutoring in different subjects, to lessons in music, art, and sports. Then, as children grow up to become more independent, volunteering becomes an option.

Hong, a father of four, expressed that he will encourage his children to volunteer for the community or for groups in need. Having done his share of volunteering, Hong wishes for his children to explore the experience themselves.

Fai, father of two, also wishes his children to volunteer for the community, but he specifically wants it to be something they enjoy. When asked why he wants the experience to be enjoyable, he answered, “it might be more rewarding for them”.

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Younger children require more planning and supervision from their parents. But as they move into their teenage years, their sense of self develops in ways that depart from what parents may have imagined. Whereas tutoring and classes are structured with the child/youth on the receiving end, volunteering can provide roles, interactions and challenges for youths to explore themselves in new ways.

So, what do youth experience in volunteering?

How might the volunteering experience be rewarding? These questions have been asked many times by community workers, educators and parents. In the upcoming months, youth organization Across U-hub will add to this discussion as they release a research report on the experience of their volunteers.

Email us to share your views and experience.

Across the Lens will publish a follow up article in a future issue to continue this discussion.

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S EP 01

04

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING CAMP AC R OS S UH U B. C OM

2022

Nicole Wong • ·[g Across U-hub Executive Director

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POSTSCRIPT• C

wenty years ago, a group of immigrants from diverse backgrounds gathered to discuss how they could create positive impacts on the youth community of the time. This group of immigrants came from diverse backgrounds, such as pastors, professors, IT specialists, student workers, and art directors. Through their day to day interactions with young people, they saw leadership potential but lacking of contextual awareness of how they could impact their immediate society. The group wanted to address this issue by answering a specific question: “What qualities do we need in leaders of 21st century?”

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With this question in mind, the group began studying the issue from different perspectives, such as the role of religious groups, education, technology, social networking, creativity. After several discussions, the group realized that continuing a long term discussion could not be justified unless concrete action was taken.

Finally, the group created Across U-Hub, a community organization that brought together like-minded young people to discuss and take action in response to the topic.

Over the past 20 years, Across has gradually become a hub for fostering deep friendship between the second generation of Canadian-born Chinese and newcomers in Canada. They hold different timely youth events that stimulate their leadership potential.

This issue’s stories do not provide an absolute answer the question of what makes a 21st century leader, but it certainly demonstrates the resilience of Canadian-born and immigrant youth growing up. Readers will not necessarily associate the image of a “leader” or “success” with popular perception, but one of the qualities a leader needs to have been the ability to inspire others. We hope that these stories will not only resonate with you, but also serve as a role model for how you can be inspired by the actions of others.

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二

十 年 前，幾 位 來 自 不 同 背 景 的 朋 友，有 牧 師、教 授、科 技 人 員、學 生 工 作 者 和 藝 術 工 作 者，他 們 聚

集 一 起 出 於 關 心 年 輕 移 民 的 未 來。他 們 看 到 年 輕 人 具 有 出 色 的 領 導 潛 力，但 對 社 會 和 時 代 缺 乏 了 解 和 觸 角，這

激 發 他 們 思 考：「 廿 一 世 紀 的 領 袖 應 該 具 備 哪 些 質 素？」 之 後，這 組 朋 友 開 始 在 宗 教、教 育、科 技、人 脈 網 絡 和

創 意 等 不 同 領 域 展 開 討 論，年 輕 人 需 要 具 備 哪 些 質 素， 才 能 面 對 社 會 和 時 代 的 挑 戰。經 過 一 段 時 間 的 討 論，他 們 認 為 沒 有 實 質 的 行 動，討 論 只 會 流 於 紙 上 談 兵。

於 是，他 們 創 辦 了「 燃 動 青 年 」 ，一 個 社 區 機 構，凝 聚 志

同 道 合 的 年 輕 人，用 行 動 來 實 踐 討 論 的 心 得。

二 十 年 來， 「 燃 動 青 年 」漸 漸 成 為 第 二 代、1 . 5 代 及 新 移

民 的 聚 集 地，年 輕 人 在 這 裏 共 渡 青 蔥 歲 月，建 立 許 多 深 厚 的 友 誼，他 們 一 起 組 織 了 不 同 類 型 的 青 年 活 動，從 而 激 發 他 們 的 領 導 潛 力。

本 期 的 故 事 或 許 無 法 具 體 回 答「 廿 一 世 紀 領 袖 應 該 具

備 哪 些 質 素？」 ，但 它 呈 現 無 論 是 土 生 土 長 還 是 新 移 民 青 年，都 以 無 限 的 靱 力 走 過 了 他 們 的 成 長 道 路。讀 者 可

以 抛 開 慣 常 對「領 袖」或「成 功」的 表 面 印 象，閱 讀 本 期 的 故 事，你 會 發 現 領 袖 有 一 種 隱 藏 的 感 染 力，他 們 的 故 事

不 僅 讓 你 產 生 共 鳴，還 會 感 受 到 故 事 的 主 人 翁，是 年 輕 人 的 榜 樣。

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SINCERE THANKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR

PARTNER SPONSORS

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THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS IN 2021 FOR SUPPORTING ACROSS U-HUB

ACEM (Canada) Chiu Yung & Kin Ming Cheung Foundation Daniel & Karen Chim Charitable Foundation Dr. A Krishanamurthy Prof. Corp.

Hallelujah Chinese Evangelical Free Church James Chim Family Foundation Markham Chinese Baptist Church Mosaic Baptist Church Toronto Christian Community Church Abbott, Kathleen Au, Amanda Au Yeung, Begonia Au, Adrian Au, Albert Au, Amanda Au, Gilbert Au, Peter Avis, Michael Bain, Christopher Boucher, Laurence Callahan, Sheilagh Cao, Jian Tao Chan, Ada Chan, Anthony Chan, Cecilia Chan, Charmaine Chan, Chun-ming Chan, Desmond Chan, Elaine Chan, Eva Chan, Francis Chan, Gabriel F. P. & Roselia Chan, Gilbert Chan, Hilda Chan, Hin Chung John Chan, Hin Man Peter Chan, Hiu Fai Chan, Julia Chan, Keller Chan, Kitty Chan, Lauretta Chan, Leighanne Chan, Leo Hiu Fai

Chan, Peggy Chan, Pui Lam Chan, Raymond Chan, Ricky Chan, Ruth Wai-ming Chan, Sau Nam Chan, Shirley Chan, Stephen Chan, Terence & Michele Chan, Vanya Chan, Ying-Chiu Chau, Alice Chau, Eric Ho-fai Chau, Paul Chau, Shirley Chen, Chengfeng Chen, Vikkie Cheng, Philip Cheng, Raymond Cheng, William Cheng, Zara Cheng-Choi, Emily Cheong, David Cheung, Adeline Cheung, Adrian Cheung, Asanda Cheung, Becky Suet Fan Cheung, Chris Fu Wah Cheung, Conlie Cheung, Evangeline Cheung, Florence Cheung, Ivan Cheung, Jonathan Shing-Pun Cheung, Nicholas

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Cheung, Raymond Cheung, Sau Lai Cheung, Sau-wai Cheung, Siu-lun Stephen Cheung, Suria Cheung-Tarn, Vera Chiang, Millie Chin, Peter Ching, Alan W. F. Chiu, Siu ha Chiu, SiuYan Letitia Choi, Andrew Choi, Ka Man Fiona Choi, Wendy Chong, Flora Chong, Wing Yi Elena Chor, Cindy Lok-Yee Chow, Ada Pui Shan Chow, Jonathan Chow, Lokman Chu, Antzen Chu, Irene C Chu, Rebecca Chu, Terri Chui, Amy Chung, Tommy Craine, Ian Dai, Cathy DSouza, Malcolm Du, Holly Eng, Philip Fleming, Sue Fok, Nancy Fong, Eric Fong, Kwok Wai Fong, Wilfred Fu, Topo Kam-ha Fung, Joyce Fung, Katherine Fung, Merrill Gellatly, Joanne Gelman, Ma Belina Gerhard, Howard Gould, Jonathan Greaves, Paula Heung, Winsome

Heximer, Susan Ho, Albert Ho, Anita Ho, David Ho, Helena Ho, Melody Ho, Sophia Liu & Jonathan Hong, Collin Hould, Angela Hsu, Jack Hui, Anthony Hui, Anthony & Linda Hui, Fred Hui, Park ying Hui, Pauline Suk-yi Hung, Anita Hung, Henry Intini, Tina Ip, Annie & Paul Kam, Larry Kan, Julio & Ophelia Kar, Chi Ming Kernytsky, Olexiy Koon, Anthea Kwan, Gloria Kwan, Kenneth Kwan, Roger Kwok, Feona Kwok, Joanna Kwok, Joseph Kwong, Viola La Rose, Mavis La, Anna Lai, Angelica Lai, Benson Lai, Cyril Lai, Fred Che-Shing Lai, Heidi Lai, Wayne Lai, Wilbert Lam, Bronte Lam, Diana Lam, Elton Lam, Louisa Lam, Raymond Lau, Eria

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Lau, Jacky Lau, Lawrence Lau, Lawrence Sze-Ying & Stella Lau, Michael Chung Long Lau, Olivia Lau, Patricia Lau, Simon Law, Anne Law, Pak Law, Shu Lee, Anthony Hoi Kit Lee, Bobby Ka Yan Lee, Chi Yuen Lee, Clement C Lee, Eva Lee, Gilbert Lee, Helena Y.S. Cheng & Otto H. T. Lee, Isa Lee, Josephine Lee, Kelvin Lee, Kinson Lee, Mark Lee, Mary Lee, Michelle Lee, Sammy Ka Fai Lee, Vicky Mun Yee Lee, Victor Lee, Wing Lee, Yee Wah Lei, Nelson Leong, C M Albert Leung, Cecilia Leung, Chih Ling Leung, Christine Leung, Hayley Leung, Nicole Leung, Robert Leung, Stephanie Leung, Wyann Li, Edward Li, Kate Li, Marie & Claypole S.H. Li, Wan ki Liang, Chi Tsou Michael Li-Huang, Yu

Lim, Fiona Liu, Jennifer Wai Huen Liu, Ronald Chun Hung Lo, Natalie Lu, Yuen Chi Lui, Lai Kam Luk, Michael Lun, Cliff Ki Keung Ma, James Ma, Man Chun Ma, Man sai Mak, Cherry Mak, James Mak, Jerry Mak, Joyce Man, John Mark, Tinny Tin Chun McLean, M Mok, George Nave, Lorraine Ng, Chester Ng, Eva Ng, Lewis Ng, Robin Ng, Sam Ng, Siu Kuen Rebecca Ng, Vicky Ng, Wilson Ngai, Freddy Ning, Winnie Padiachy, Melanie Pal, Kimberly Pang, Eileen Fung Yee Pang, Mandy Pereira, Ana Poon, Eric Chui-Yung Poon, Kin Hing Poon, Nicholas Rau, Nerys Reynolds, Nelson Richards, Nadia Rodriguez, Jorge Romero, Lisbia Samson, Tim Shea, Cynthia

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Shek, Sophia Simonetta, Melissa Sin, Wai Chun Situ, Lisa So, Curtis So, Stanley LF So, Yee Man Sohrbeck, Signe Soo, Ivy Soo, Lisa Spence, Madeleine Steciuk, Frances Sung, Wing Ling Tai, Ken Sai-Hong Tam, Amy & Albert Tam, Edmund Tam, Siu Kee Tang, Harold Tang, Joseph Tang, Kwok Ying Tang, Mimi Tang, Thomas Tang, Wing Sze Tang, Wing Yi To, Winnie To, Yuet Fong Tong, Frances Tong, Mina Tong, Teresa Truong, Derek Tsang, Alfonso Hing Hung Tsang, Sammy Tse, Henderson Tso, Teresa Tsoi, April Tsui, Kwan Cheung & Esther Tsui, Ming Tong Urquhart, Heather Uy, Lai Lei Voulakos, James Walker, Christine Wan, Claudie Wong, Agnes Wong, Allen Siu Fai Wong, Andy

Wong, Hee Lin Wong, Jean Wong, John Wong, Kitty Wong, Michelle Wong, Natalie Wong, Nicole Wong, Paul Wong, Tak-cheong Wong, Theresa sun ka Wong, Tsz Yan Wong, Victor Wu, James Wu, Yin Yin Xu, Karen Yam, Derek Yam, Gladys Yam, Terry Yap, Querubin Yau, Maria Yeung, Brenda Yeung, Lawrence Yim, Karen Yim, Maggie Yip, Anna TY Yip, Ho Kai Yip, Simon Yu Wong, Winnie Kwok Ying Yu, Anna Yu, Helen Yu, Ka Man Carmen Yu, Nelson Yu, Phoebe Yuen, Felicia Yuen, Terence Yuen, Simon Yung, Kin Fat Zhang, Shi Yin Zhao, Ying

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