Message from Me: Seasons Greetings!

It has been a BUSY month, and it is so close to 2012... I can't believe how fast December is passing by. With exams, the holiday season, shopping for gifts and spending time with friends and family, my blog has been neglected!


2012 is looking promising for a lot of the people I have interviewed for this blog and for many of those advocates and activists that I've had the pleasure of meeting. 
In the new year, I hope to update you on what HeartBeatsTO have been up to in 2011 since we last chatted. Along with that, some new and exciting interviews and some more posts on what is going on in the world, and what is being ignored...!


Thank you for your e-mails on comments and suggestions about what topics to cover on the blog, I encourage you to keep sending the e-mails, even if it is a quick line or two to bcshesaidso@gmail.com and let me know.




I hope all of you enjoy this holiday season... Many blessings to you and yours. 

Gay Parents CAN Parent

I don't think anyone can argue with me when I say that the sexual orientation of any individual is NOT a determinant of how successful they can be as parents. To argue that a gay couple cannot provide a child with above adequate love, nurture and other necessities is a weak argument based solely on a social division, and has no convincing premise. 
To say that two people cannot marry because they don't fit the normal grouping of two people of the opposite sex is exercising the authoritative domination of the privileged group.
Zach Wahl, a student at the University of Iowa and business owner was raised by two women who married a few years ago. He was born through artificial insemination, as well as his sister (from the same donour) and therefore are both biologically siblings. 


He presents his case in Iowa here**:

Being in the field of social services, I have seen countless parents that identify as "heterosexual" make the wrong choices. I avoid calling them "mistakes" as I don't consider their actions accidental. Leaving a child home alone because you couldn't find a sitter while you were out with friends drinking is hardly a mistake now is it...?
But they were allowed to marry, and allowed to have children with no stigma or discrimination attached. Yet, what would be the court's explanation for their lack of judgement on child rearing since they're heterosexual? Don't have one? ... Well that just confirms my argument :)


The wrong choices were made because they were unfit parents, people I consider that weren't ready to have children, but happily collected the cheques. 


The bottom line is: Straight, bisexual, homosexual, black, white, purple... none of these identify with "the best parent" or "the best married couple".
As Wahl states, the sexual orientation of his parents does not have any impact on the content of his character.


Well said Wahl.

-----

**Thank you to my friend Diane for bringing this to my attention

The Canadian Way?

It's one thing to be patriotic, it's another to offend the majority of people you interact with everyday by telling them, "If you don't like it, go back to your country".

This guy that wrote this status is full of contradictions in this status and has no clue what he is talking about. As a Canadian, and a child of immigrants, he doesn't speak for me... and hopefully he does speak for anyone reading this post either.

Apparently to this bright individual who posted this status to his Facebook profile, Canada is "his" country. He proposes that immigrants should adapt to Canadian culture and not be offended by the country's history in racism, colonialism, patriarchal and heteronormative systems, sexism and so on... in order to be "honoured" to be a great Canadian like him. (To be honest, if this was the REAL criteria, I think I'd rather live elsewhere). Apparently, this is what being Canadian is about... conform to Canadian culture, or go back home. How is one to do that? I was born here, my parents immigrated here, but I happily identify myself as a Korean and as a Canadian.

Not only that, but my best friends, my coworkers that make my shift go by faster, the man that held the door open for me at the mall, the bank teller that greeted me with a smile---all immigrants. 

What this genius failed to realize is that immigrants with permanent resident status has increased dramatically in the last 50 years, HAPPILY WELCOMED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO SUPPORT CANADA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

What this Canadian idol missed was also the fact that he is completely surrounded by immigrants and children of immigrants, even on his Facebook. Without immigrants, "his country" would be ... where? It is clear that he deems immigrants as insignificant to Canadian history and the multiculturalism of this country.

It is also evident that he believes immigrants should be forever grateful that individuals like him ALLOWED them into the country. This promotes and maintains the idea that Westerners are the global heros rescuing those in need, when in fact, this heroism is prevalent in ignorant individuals in positions of power.

This outstanding citizen doesn't acknowledge in his status is that the Canadian National Anthem doesn't just offend certain individuals, but that Canadian history is not squeeky clean. Ever heard of Colonialism? "Our home and native land?" ... Ever question who "our" excluded? What voices were silenced?

What I want to know is, could this patriotic Canadian move his entire life to another country in order to provide a better life for his family and completely denounce his loyalty to Canada? If he moved to a another country where they burned the Canadian flag, would he conform to repress the history of Canada in his life and adapt the new receiving country's culture?

I doubt it.

It seems that culture is irrelevant to this individual, or else he would understand that culture is not just a practice, or a physical entity. It is a great part involved in one's identity. Since he has failed to see the bigger picture and the impact of his actions on a macro level, I assume that he mostly socializes with those who believe they are more Canadian, more patriotic and more important than others in THE ENTIRE WORLD. 

The degenerate that typed these senseless words (and his little sidekicks that agree with him) onto his Facebook status seems to promote this idea that being patriotic means that those who have lived in Canada longer can control HOW immigrants live, who they are... they're entire identity... And his weapon is Facebook?

Through time and development of our society and with our education, changes in our ways becomes more considerate of issues that impact marginalized individuals. By posting this status on his Facebook, this individual seems to believe in further marginalizing individuals that identify with various social divisions, and keeping them at an inferior level. Interestingly enough, he uses the word "indivisible"... but he's dividing up Canada in two groups of immigrants and Canadian-born citizens.

This facebook status is typical of one who disregards immigrants as legitimate citizens and even as actual human beings. He believes that cohabitation of immigrants is impossible if they don't fully assimilate to the receiving country. He also disregards the immigration experiences and how this shapes how these immigrants hold onto their culture. Immigrants to assimilate to Canada and the social workings of the country, but this individual simplifies this experience in a few lines on his Facebook status.

He says for immigrants to accept the culture and heritage of Canada has "we have accepted yours"... But what part of his status shows that he himself has accepted our culture? How can he accept ours if in the same breath, he gives the ultimatum to "love it or leave"? 

Dear Dumb Ass, regardless of the fact that you only speak English, you can guarantee that you're being told to go fuck yourself in a variety of languages.

Toronto Hot Spots

You could call this post a restaurant review by yours truly. I'm not a food critic but I wouldn't feel right about keeping these hot spots a secret... they're too good.

I recently stopped by Pizza Libretto on Ossington as I heard some great things about this place. It was a Sunday and they open at 4pm... We arrived at 3:55pm and they was already a line up slowly forming. Throughout our meal and I'm sure up until closing time, the line up was still there--for both dine-in and take out. They also have a location on Danforth (check the location and hours of operation on their website)

Pizza Libretto makes VPN (Verace Pizza Napoletana Association) certified pizza as organized by the European and Italian government. The restaurant provides a welcoming environment... high chairs along the entire bar, tables, booths and half-booths plus a visible kitchen where you can clearly spot the wooden oven. The place fills up fast with high turnovers before, during and after the traditional mealtimes.

During my visit, I was able to try the buttermilk calamari, cremini mushroom pizza and espresso-cinnamon gelato. The calamari was amazing-- perfectly cooked on a bed of red pepper almond sauce. On the pizza, the mushrooms weren't overcooked like you get at your local franchise, it was done just right, with the compliments of perfect dough. Those who know me know I love ice cream... the gelato was served with a hearty biscotti, with enough of the proportion for two to share.

Buttermilk Calamari 

Cremini Mushroom Pizza

Espresso-Cinnamon Gelato

If you've ever spend your weekends or an occasional evening during the work week at the Dundas Square/Eaton Center area, make sure to drop by Joey's Eaton Center just West of the mall's H&M entrance off of Dundas. The open patio looks very welcoming (aside from the Winter season of course). Side note: The washrooms are a little far off, but you'll find humour on each sign leading you the way.

Joey's Eaton Center- 1 Dundas West, Toronto

The restaurant is in the busy area of Yonge and Dundas but at the same time, situated away from the commotion with just enough space to enjoy meals and drinks with friends and family.
I was super hungry the day I went... hence, this meal:

Joey's Restaurants have several locations throughout Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Ontario and Washington. You can find the menus by location on their site... There are so many things I need to try from the Eaton Center location's menu ... Steak and Sushi, Miso Ramen, Bombay Chicken.... *drool*

Lastly, a great spot to check out for a relaxing and cozy environment is Polish style based Czehoski's on Queen Street. Like many of the greatest restaurants, lounges and bars in Toronto, from the outside it doesn't look like much. But inside, there are two levels. The upper level is more intimate, with cozy booths and a fire place while the downstairs area is just as relaxing. I was there this past Halloween weekend and tried the Blue Crab Cakes and Perogies. 

The thing I love love love about this place is that it is used as an art gallery to support local artists (in rotation every two months). If you like art and you like food... this is the place to be.

I guess this post can link to my previous post "One of A Kind" question... Why do you love Toronto?

For me, one of the many reasons are places like these that serve up amazing food. If you know me, you know I can't say no to food.

In the words of my best friend, "The way to my heart is through my belly".

TdotOdot: One of a Kind

Yonge/Dundas - 11.12.11

Many people swear that the city they grew up in "is the best city in the world" and if they find themselves travelling to a city they love, but not as much as their hometown, it is labelled their "second home".

When I conduct interviews for my blog, one of the questions I always ask is, "What do you love about Toronto?".

When I ask this, I don't expect the interviewee to list the top 5 things they love about this city. I don't even expect them to give me a solid answer, because what I love about Toronto can't be put into a few sentences. It is, at times, indescribable, and can only be explained through experience that can't always be translated into text. What I love about Toronto are things that may exist in other cities, but that's okay. The uniqueness that Toronto consists of cannot always be seen by the eye, but experienced without realization.

I can list landmarks or historical events that occurred in Toronto that make it so great. I can list the interconnectedness of various races from interpersonal to institutional level of social interactions that make Toronto so amazing. I can tell you about moments when I was out in the city and was grateful of every part of what Toronto was... I can go on and on but that can't really convince a reader.
The way to know is to experience it, and with an open mind too.

For those that live in Toronto, whether you pronounce the last "t" in TORONTO or not... next time someone asks you what you love about this city, what will you say?

Nursing Home Abuse- Danae Chambers: Victimized Another Time

71 year old Chambers at Castleview Wychwood Towers

Danae Chambers became a victim of the mental illness Dementia around the early 1990's and it appears she has been victimized yet again. Not of another mental illness, but by a man who was trusted as a staff of her nursing home to care for her. 


71 year old Chambers was an incredible artist. She studied at Oxford, lived in France and displayed her art through oil paintings. As a resident of Castleview Wychwood Towers in Toronto (also ran by the City of Toronto) since 2006, Chambers depended on the staff to provide and protect her well-being. A male practical nurse, 46 year-old Leonid Kozlov is charged with sexual assault. 

Chambers in her earlier years

This is a prime example of not just violence against women but violence against marginalized women. What is of importance here is that not all women fit into the category of white, middle aged, middle class, able bodied living in a developed world. When a woman's identity intersects with multiple social divisions, the outcome of their victimization is of a different experience than of a white woman, an able bodied woman, a rich woman... the "universal" woman. 


It is evident here that an elderly woman suffering from a mental illness was abused based on her vulnerability by a man that carries more powers than those that come with his gender. He was able bodied, a professional (so to speak) with economic privileges, and he did not suffer from dementia. 




The Toronto Star investigated abuse in nursing homes and the numbers are likely to induce vomitting to whomever reads them. 


Dementia impacts behaviour, memory, judgement, language etc., and with all of these disadvantages due to the loss of brain function --- including Chambers' old age and confinement in a nursing home, Chambers' vulnerability was not protected. It was abused. 


Castleview Wychwood Towers has some interesting points to their mission statement:

• We believe that we are guests in the resident's home, and the resident is the focus of all services.
• We believe in respecting the uniqueness of each individual, for their personal integrity, dignity and self-esteem, and their rights to personal privacy and confidentiality.
• We believe in providing a range of care and services to maximize each residents physical, social and emotional potential.
• We believe that each person should be encouraged to retain or regain independence.

Interestingly enough, some of you might say that one staff members' abusive behaviour shouldn't reflect on the entire nursing home's capability as caregivers. 

You could be right. But in this specific case, you're not.

Would it help if I told you that nursing homes have a secrecy culture of keeping these abuses on the low? What about if I said that the incidents are mishandled by staff AND management and that these incidences were well known before they were reported. It took one nurse who caught the accused in the room with Chambers to speak out against this. She risked her job and scrutiny by her superiors in the nursing home. Often times, this doesn't happen. 

Without investigations, these cases would have never made the front page of any paper. 

Covenant House: Step Up For Street Kids 5k Walk!

On Saturday November 12th, 2011, I volunteered as a route marshal for Convenant House: Step Up for Street Kids 5k walk. Along with three other volunteers, I was in charge of Bay and Gerrard and was to ensure safe street crossing for the walkers.
With Starbucks as one of the sponsors, every Starbucks location along the route gave free coffee to registered walkers. This of course split up the walkers into small groups but there was a large mod of walkers in between. This mob of walkers were followed by two police officers on bikes who were so supportive of this event. They were so supportive that they actually stopped traffic at Bay and Gerrard to allow J-walking for the larger mob of walkers. This of course frustrated drivers... *Kanye shrug*

For that afternoon, Dundas Square was closed off to volunteers, sponsors and organizers of the event so they could prepare for the 400 walkers that participated in awareness and fundraising for street kids.

Back in September, I first posted about this event on my blog and received lots of inquiries on how to register or donate. I'd like to take this time to thank everyone that donated and helped out. A special shout out to Jacqueline Herrington who made sure us volunteers were at every post.

The event rounded up $95,000 this year.


Thank you.

Beats, Love and Happiness

Beats, Love and Happiness -- 2nd Annual Canadian Beatboxing Championship was held at the Mod Club (722 College Street, Toronto) this past Saturday. This was my first experience watching a Beatboxing performance, and I can't lie, I was impressed.

Sixteen contestants from all over Canada competed for the title judged by 5 judges: Organik, Elaquent, Human Record, Eddy Da Original One and X-Wam. 
Last year's winner -- KRNFX (Terry Im) won again, and is now the two-time Canadian Beatbox Champion. He was also the winner of the title in South Korea in 2007 and 2009 and was a finalist in the 2009 World Championship. Notable mentions are Young, Beatbox RJ, Mighty Mouse and Scott Jackson (who reminded his opponent where he was standing... "THIS IS TORONTO"). The final battle was between Scott Jackson and KRNFX. 

Toronto Artist: DIAZ

In between the battles, Diaz (Toronto artist) performed some of his tracks. As an aspiring hip hop artist he is also a battle MC and has opened for such artists as Kim Davis, Slim (112), Joell Ortiz and Classified. He is also the 2011 winner of the "Best Hip Hop" award (Barrie New Music Festival). Watch out for him in the near future as he gets ready to drop his next studio album. 

Diaz performing at the Beatbox Championship - Mod Club

Partners of the event (2011):


::Lip Labz - Custom lip gloss flavours made on the spot with various flavours like blueberry, watermelon, chocolate etc., and of course, you can mix all sorts to suit your taste (literally). They're made with hemp oil too... try more of their flavours by ordering your lip gloss or lip balm online. 

::Trio Magnus is composed of Aaron Leighton, Steve Wilson and Clayton Hanmer. Their work is described as "spastic", "bizarre" and of course... they're Toronto based. Let's be real, this is talent. 

They're work is distributed in Chicago, New York, Netherlands, Spain and Alberta. The follow places in Toronto have them as well:

The Beguiling
Book City in the Annex (501 Bloor St West)
Book City on Danforth (348 Danforth Ave)
Book City Trinity Bellwoods (716 Queen St West) 
Function 13
Indigo Books (Manulife Flagship store only)Keep 6 Contemporary GalleryThe Labyrinth Store (book shop)
Lileo
Magic Pony: Artshop & Gallery 
Pages Books
Swipe Books on Advertising and Design
Show & Tell Gallery
This Ain't The Rosedale Library 
Type Books Trinity Bellwoods


::Andres Correas is a Columbian artist from Toronto who also took part in the event. With a large canvas placed near the bar inside Mod Club, Correa displayed his artwork of the stage view from the southside of the venue. His work can be seen at Lulu Lemon, Etobicoke Gallery, and West Park Hospital among many others. To see more, please visit his website.

:: Other partners were of course Unity Charity (a non-profit art based alternative education organization supporting youths ages 10-18 in Toronto). The One Clothing, Sample Bank, Kings of The Dot (who will be at the Ghostface Killah concert in Oshawa November 30th, 2011) were also there setting up shop. 


I definitely will be present at the 3rd Annual Canadian Beatboxing Championship...




T-W-I-T-T-E-R


@KRNFX
@beatboxcanada
@diazhiphop

Chun Eun Sil

This is still my favourite :)

Look familiar?

http://www.chuneunsil.com

Peggy McIntosh: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack

Peggy McIntosh

In relation to my last blog post on B. Deutsch's Male Privilege Checklist, there is also the famous Peggy McIntosh and her list. She has what is called an "Invisible Knapsack". What is in this knapsack?: WHITE PRIVILEGES. McIntosh explores the idea of having this knapsack of privileges wherever she goes. She assures you that it's invisible... but it's there.

Have a read:

1. I can if I wish arrange to be in the company of people of my race most of the time.
2. I can avoid spending time with people whom I was trained to mistrust and who have learned to mistrust my kind or me.
3. If I should need to move, I can be pretty sure of renting or purchasing housing in an area which I can afford and in which I would want to live.
4. I can be pretty sure that my neighbors in such a location will be neutral or pleasant to me.
5. I can go shopping alone most of the time, pretty well assured that I will not be followed or harassed.
6. I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.
7. When I am told about our national heritage or about "civilization," I am shown that people of my color made it what it is.
8. I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.
9. If I want to, I can be pretty sure of finding a publisher for this piece on white privilege.
10. I can be pretty sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my race.
11. I can be casual about whether or not to listen to another person's voice in a group in which s/he is the only member of his/her race.
12. I can go into a music shop and count on finding the music of my race represented, into a supermarket and find the staple foods which fit with my cultural traditions, into a hairdresser's shop and find someone who can cut my hair.
13. Whether I use checks, credit cards or cash, I can count on my skin color not to work against the appearance of financial reliability.
14. I can arrange to protect my children most of the time from people who might not like them.
15. I do not have to educate my children to be aware of systemic racism for their own daily physical protection.
16. I can be pretty sure that my children's teachers and employers will tolerate them if they fit school and workplace norms; my chief worries about them do not concern others' attitudes toward their race.
17. I can talk with my mouth full and not have people put this down to my color.
18. I can swear, or dress in second hand clothes, or not answer letters, without having people attribute these choices to the bad morals, the poverty or the illiteracy of my race.
19. I can speak in public to a powerful male group without putting my race on trial.
20. I can do well in a challenging situation without being called a credit to my race.
21. I am never asked to speak for all the people of my racial group.
22. I can remain oblivious of the language and customs of persons of color who constitute the world's majority without feeling in my culture any penalty for such oblivion.
23. I can criticize our government and talk about how much I fear its policies and behavior without being seen as a cultural outsider.
24. I can be pretty sure that if I ask to talk to the "person in charge", I will be facing a person of my race.
25. If a traffic cop pulls me over or if the IRS audits my tax return, I can be sure I haven't been singled out because of my race.
26. I can easily buy posters, post-cards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys and children's magazines featuring people of my race.
27. I can go home from most meetings of organizations I belong to feeling somewhat tied in, rather than isolated, out-of-place, outnumbered, unheard, held at a distance or feared.
28. I can be pretty sure that an argument with a colleague of another race is more likely to jeopardize her/his chances for advancement than to jeopardize mine.
29. I can be pretty sure that if I argue for the promotion of a person of another race, or a program centering on race, this is not likely to cost me heavily within my present setting, even if my colleagues disagree with me.
30. If I declare there is a racial issue at hand, or there isn't a racial issue at hand, my race will lend me more credibility for either position than a person of color will have.
31. I can choose to ignore developments in minority writing and minority activist programs, or disparage them, or learn from them, but in any case, I can find ways to be more or less protected from negative consequences of any of these choices.
32. My culture gives me little fear about ignoring the perspectives and powers of people of other races.
33. I am not made acutely aware that my shape, bearing or body odor will be taken as a reflection on my race.
34. I can worry about racism without being seen as self-interested or self-seeking.
35. I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having my co-workers on the job suspect that I got it because of my race.
36. If my day, week or year is going badly, I need not ask of each negative episode or situation whether it had racial overtones.
37. I can be pretty sure of finding people who would be willing to talk with me and advise me about my next steps, professionally.
38. I can think over many options, social, political, imaginative or professional, without asking whether a person of my race would be accepted or allowed to do what I want to do.
39. I can be late to a meeting without having the lateness reflect on my race.
40. I can choose public accommodation without fearing that people of my race cannot get in or will be mistreated in the places I have chosen.
41. I can be sure that if I need legal or medical help, my race will not work against me.
42. I can arrange my activities so that I will never have to experience feelings of rejection owing to my race.
43. If I have low credibility as a leader I can be sure that my race is not the problem.
44. I can easily find academic courses and institutions which give attention only to people of my race.
45. I can expect figurative language and imagery in all of the arts to testify to experiences of my race.
46. I can chose blemish cover or bandages in "flesh" color and have them more or less match my skin.
47. I can travel alone or with my spouse without expecting embarrassment or hostility in those who deal with us.
48. I have no difficulty finding neighborhoods where people approve of our household.
49. My children are given texts and classes which implicitly support our kind of family unit and do not turn them against my choice of domestic partnership.
50. I will feel welcomed and "normal" in the usual walks of public life, institutional and social.


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Pretty strong stuff.