For my first assignment for History 485, I have decided to do a very candid and straight up written interview with my partner Kelly . This is the exact interview word for word (more or less) of what our exchange of conversation was. I decided to make it this way because I feel that it adds more authenticity and value to the topics discussed rather than paraphrasing her words and risk making a misinterpretation, I believe that the raw dialogue accurately depicts Kelly's opinions. SO here goes!
So, Tell me a little bit about yourself? Provide me with some stats!
I was born on December 18th 1987, I was born in Langley, I lived in North Carolina for 3 years and New York for 1 year and had primary school there. Moved back to Langley in grade 5. UBC started in 2005 for me. My hobbies, I am an avid horseback rider. I live in a mansion with 10 other people, and the roof is leaking currently (laughs). It’s coming through the light socket that is my current situation rite now.
Competed before for horseback riding?
Yes since I was 13, and all thoughout highschool and again last year. Not this summer because it is very time consuming and expensive so… (thinks)… Washington, Oregon and BC pretty much is where I compete most the time.
How would You describe yourself? Let’s make it more interesting, If You were to describe yourself with 4 words what would it be and why?
Hm… Ponders. First word that comes to the top of my head is Easy going. Active? (waves her hands)… Oh god… (ponders harder)… nice … dull? Your interview style has made me doubt myself (laughs). Social (then adds) I like to party! (Decides to text her friend and ask her to give her a word to describe herself.)
Active: I love go out! I was a park ranger this summer. I love the outdoors, grew up on the acreage. I just love to be in “action” I ACTIVELY love to be in action! (expressed with enthusiasm) I AM ALSO ON A FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM!
Easy Going: Here’s an example, I lived in Toronto road in a town house with a communal room that’s about 14 x 14 with 4 other girls for 4 years. And there was only one fight… sooo… I’m pretty damn easy going.
Nice: They’re combined with the others. Let’s say if I met someone new in the room I’d be the first to introduce myself and make them feel more comfortable!
Dull: Oh you know how you called me dull …. Everyone says they see me around and stuff like I ‘ve met you and you look like you have sister or something.
That’s not dull
That’s just generic I guess…. My mom is the same way, and I DON’T HAVE A SISTER BUT I ONLY HAVE A BROTHER. He is much more masculine than I am… I hope.
For a lack of a better term (laugh).
Social: Let’s see, for 2 years, I in charge of the events and guest services for a horse show. It’s called Thunderbird Show Park. It was founded by the guy who brought Mickey D’s and the KEG to Canada! Um… for that I ran beer gardens for 600+ people, bull-riding, thunderbird idol (singing). Yeh.. pretty much my job for 14 hr days for 3 weeks straight!
Wow… that’s insane.
Get there at six and leave at 9 or 10 pm. That was when I was 18 – 19. I fell into the job and I was hired as an assistant and they quit after the first week so they decided to appoint me with the job. I had to manage beer gardens at 18 so it was illegal. We had to lie to cops saying that we had minors on one side and adults on the other.
So did you actually separate them?
(Smiles) Yeh ….. Kinda we were under the scrutiny of the cops and losing our liquor license so I’d say.. yeh…
What is your upbringing? Parents? Socio Economic standing?
I am 5th generation Canadian, Last 3 generation is western Canada, before I came to Canada it was mostly Scotland a bit of irish, german and English.
That sounds Canadian!
Yeh.. Typical upbringing, parents still married, brother, family dog, cats, lots of animals. Dad’s a Vet , now a radiologist, Mom used to work for Royal Bank, then a stay a home mom while dad was doing residency, and now she’s working at an optometrist. Brother is a year and half older than me, graduated from criminology, now her with the Abbotsford Heat hockey team working as an assistant.
Culturally what do you identify yourself as besides the fact that you are Caucasian?
Nationally I would say that I am Canadian . I am 5th generation. But I don’t think I can identify myself with any specific culture. I don’t really feel the need to.
Why?
I feel like I have individual values and traits that don’t need to be assigned to a group. Maybe it’s the way how certain cultures would group when threats are present so they can identify with them.
How does your ethnic background affect your everyday life?
It doesn’t affect me in a bad way, therefore I don’t notice it. I don’t really think about it so it doesn’t really occur to me that often.
Your take on Religion?
I don’t believe in myself subscribing to any specific religion. But I support people that use it for their own personal strength but I don’t support for ulterior motives. For example, to make war, politics, and leaders of the religions that bends the purpose of their teachings. I just think organized religion can be susceptible to abuse from leaders that have their own agenda that don’t really mean what it ought to be. So, I don’t see myself being in any religion and I have my own sources of strength, community etc.
Does your family have similar views?
I would say I am the most liberal, but my parents are from Alberta and Saskatchewan they’re just a little bit more Canadian conservative. Brother is very different, quiet, doesn’t drink, doesn’t party, I think we will become friends somewhere along the lines in the future… but not now cause we’re so different (laughs). My parents grew up in less culturally diverse culture than I did. I believe that I am more of a progressive replication of my parents.
So what specifically is liberal about you?
I don’t specifically subscribe to one political party, just like religion.
How has your parents affected you on multiculturalism?
I was always taught to be very accepting of other cultures. I never noticed a cultural divide growing up. Like School, playground etc. My parents never emphasized differences. But my grandpa, I had a friend Steve Kwan met when we were 16, he was probably the whitest Asian guy ended up calling him a “chink”. My grandpa was always old fashioned. I was bothered by that but I never saw that in my parents which was good.
Obviously you have experienced various cultures, what struck you to take a course focused on the asian community / immigrants in Canada?
I am pretty ignorant with this … hence I don’t really have opinion
Asian friends?
I live with a place of 4 people and they’re all white. I feel that it’s just how people identify themselves with hence it just flows that way. I’d be pretty intimidated if I just came to a class room and just sat myself down with a group of Asian girls. It’s not I don’t want any Asian friends, it’s just I follow the stream that occurs so…
What is the most Asian experience you have had?
I have no idea….. I got nothing.
Compared to other places that you have been, what can you say about Vancouver specifically?
I find Vancouver has different elements that are found in other cities also. For example I say this because everything is so accessible. Growing up here I have experienced many different cultures. So it kind of helped me accept them easier. For example, Scotland felt very similar to Vancouver. When I travelled to Egypt for a couple weeks, getting used to the Islamic way of life during back-packing was different, and I Knew a group of Americans also doing backpacking, they had no idea with the cultural relativity.
Can you elaborate on that?
You know the stereotypical American thing where they think that the country or culture has failed them because they do not under their cultural, specifically in language whereas I felt like I failed them entering their country and feeling ill prepared for their culture and such. Vancouver has given me the ability to be more aware of other cultures.
Do you expect cultures to adapt to being Caucasian or vice versa. In Canada more specifically?
40% of Vancouver is Asian culture therefore whether we choose to admit it or not the fact that they are here economically, linguistically and culturally. So no matter what people say how they have their own culture, they’re still apart of Vancouver culture. So I feel that that they encompass all of the Vancouver culture. I think language wise, since predominantly since we speak English, learning the language will definitely be advantageous to them and to understand that they need to make that slight effort and incorporate other culture and every sort of culture into their lives. Basically everyone should be accepting and have a connection (willingness or more so) with other various cultures.
So are you saying everyone will be more happier?
I think everyone making that effort to understand each other and if you don’t still understand, accept that you might not understand fully but just accept the fact. A lot of people are critical of what they do not fully understanding and I feel especially the immigrants carry a larger burden to be more accepting of other cultures, since they themselves need to adapt to new geography, economy, politics. I feel that there is responsibility for them to understand first before they make a change, progress or criticize. Rather than seeing themselves as an outsider trying to integrate, ideally I want people to feel like they are already integrally apart of the culture and trying to influence the direction to take in the future.
Explain the last part a bit more with the Intergration.
I feel like that cultures that have immigrated should feel that they have already have a spot in Canada. They are entitled equally to express their own opinions and live their lives the own way. I only want them to be willing to subscribe to a larger community and move forward with Canada and not just within their own cultural group. They can maintain that cultural group but still be a part of the team as a whole.
So like team Canada?
Yeh! sure!
My Conclusion?
Well this was my second time talking to Kelly but with more topics to discuss. Even though I had only known her for a while, she gave me very upfront, confident and comedic responses on all the questions I had created for her which allowed me to sail through the interview without much trouble and I enjoyed it very much!
