“I am a citizen of the world”

“I am a citizen of the world.” - Greek Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope

I am Canadian. I was born in Toronto. My mother was born in Regina and my father was born in Toronto. If pressed, I will say that my father’s father was born in England, but came to Canada before he was a year old. If pressed further, I will share that my mother’s mother spent a number of her childhood years living in the US being raised by relatives. Still, I’m a 2rd generation Canadian, at least. 4th or 5th or 6th generation if I go back farther.

I have a mess of last names that make up my family tree: Lee and Lindsay. McAninch and McGinnis. Since my last name is Lee, I often get second-looks when I introduce myself, as most people expect an Asian woman to answer to my name and instead meet a Caucasian woman.

In my neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, the majority of my neighbors (over 55% according to the last census) are visible minorities and about the same percentage were born elsewhere in the world. Taking the elevator in my building means listening to families wearing the dress of another country conversing in different languages. Walking down the hall exposes me to the wonderful smells of various cuisines and the glorious sounds of various music. My daughter is forever running up to children her age and size at the playground and introducing herself, only to find out that her new ‘friend’ doesn’t speak the same language.

I strive to be a citizen of the world. This doesn’t mean pushing aside my Canadian-ism; I can sing along with a Stompin’ Tom song with the best of them. Nor does it require travelling the world. What is does mean is choosing to revel in being a minority among my neighbours.

Just around the corner and up the street I can listen to the latest Polish pop song blasting from the speakers of restaurants. When it comes to roti, I have my choice of restaurants and styles: Guyanese, Indian or Thai. In the weeks before the Olympics in Bejing local businesses showed their support for our Tibetan neighbours by displaying ‘Free Tibet‘ posters. My daughter is learning basic Spanish and Portuguese vocabulary from her preschool teachers.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to live among people with so many different backgrounds and countries of birth and religions and languages. In fact, sometimes the best way to travel is to explore a new area of your own neighbourhood. Try a new food. Attend a cultural event. Listen to new music. Start a conversation with a neighbour. You can be a citizen of the world without ever needing a passport.

-Rebecca Lee, Volunteer Programs Manager

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