Conditions for Standing Together

• We must broaden our horizons toward a vast ocean of solidarity, rather than remaining an isolated island behind high walls.
• Standing shoulder to shoulder with other ethnic groups against the waves of racism is the true gateway to entering mainstream society.
• Only when we move beyond self-interest to practice universal justice will our community truly become a respected leadership group.

Many Korean immigrants I have met over the years often discuss immigration from two main perspectives. One is the view that 'immigration is not simply a change of residence,' and the other sees it as 'an existential experiment in how to blend into a multicultural mosaic while retaining one's identity.' However, when looking at our community as a whole, I cannot help but feel a sense of bitterness upon witnessing a culture where we remain trapped on an isolated island—a 'league of our own'—building walls to shut out the outside world.

Over the past few decades, the Korean community has achieved significant milestones in education, professional fields, and self-employment. However, if this success is only valid within our own fences, it is nothing more than a half-baked settlement. In particular, the recurring conflicts, slander, and exhausting disputes over leadership during the election processes of some organizations weaken our community's trust and make cooperation with the outside world difficult. While we engage in mudslinging over petty internal titles, I want to ask: how much have we raised our voices regarding the common challenges facing Canadian society (such as racism, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and minority rights)? An isolated island is easily swept away by the waves, but an interconnected continent remains unshaken.

We must take a hard look at how other ethnic minority communities in Canada have elevated their political and social standing through solidarity. The Jewish Federation is perhaps the most powerful example. They do not operate solely for their own interests. When racism or hate crimes occur, many Jewish organizations have built a track record of collaborating with Black, Muslim, and other minority communities to combat these issues. Such solidarity efforts have helped them establish themselves as trusted civil society partners in public discourse. The influence of the Jewish community has been built upon various factors, including high civic participation, systematic organizational operations, investment in education, and extensive social networks.

Organizations like the Chinese community's 'S.U.C.C.E.S.S.' also offer profound implications. What began as a settlement support group for Chinese immigrants has now grown into a professional social service agency assisting immigrants of all ethnicities. To secure government funding, they fully understood and leveraged the Canadian bureaucratic system, sharing information and growing alongside other ethnic groups. While some Korean organizations focus on limited internal community activities, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. has expanded its cooperative relationship with the government, growing into an institution that supports immigrants from diverse backgrounds. This is exactly the vast territory enjoyed by those who step out of their narrow confines.

The same applies to the Italian community. They have never forgotten the history of discrimination they faced during their early immigration years and have focused on expanding cultural touchpoints with other ethnic groups. Streets like 'Corso Italia' in Toronto have become more than just Italian commercial districts; they have become symbols of cultural coexistence in a multicultural society. The Italian community has broadened its intersections with other communities through cultural events and community activities. As a result, Italian leadership has firmly established itself as a trusted contributor across Canadian society.

In contrast, what about our Korean community? Even within our own community, there is sometimes a tendency to view other communities solely through the lens of competition. In particular, the culture of judging others based solely on their economic success prevents us from forming deep solidarity with other communities. Before getting angry and shouting 'Why doesn't anyone protect us?' only when racial discrimination directly affects us, we must reflect on how much we have historically listened to the discrimination and pain experienced by other minorities. A true leadership group is one that knows how to fight for universal justice, even when its own interests are not on the line.

Thoughtful members of our community have long emphasized the importance of discovering and preserving historical records. Isn't this also the reason behind the desire to build a 'cyber museum that properly documents the history of Korean immigration to Canada'? Recording our history is not simply about reminiscing about the past. It is to prove the history of reciprocal exchange—how we, as members of a multicultural Canadian society, have stood in solidarity with other ethnic groups. Only when our records are shared with other communities, rather than remaining confined within the Korean community, can we finally possess a history not as 'isolated strangers' but as 'proactive citizens.'

I also have a request for government agencies establishing overseas diaspora policies and scholars conducting anthropological research. Figures like census data or economic indicators cannot fully explain the lives of immigrants. We need 'qualitative participant-observation' data on how Koreans interact, resolve conflicts, and build solidarity with other ethnic groups. Only when data containing the vivid voices of the field is accumulated can practical and effective policies emerge. Rather than stopping at one-off events, more interest and support are needed for ongoing collaborative projects involving different communities.

The Canada in which our grown children will live will be an even more complex multicultural society than it is today. I hope our children will be proud of their Korean identity while simultaneously standing shoulder to shoulder with other ethnic groups as leading figures in creating social value. For this to happen, the first generation must set an example. We must discard outdated authoritarianism driven by a desire for prestige and practice 'servant leadership'—dedicating ourselves selflessly to the community. We must end exhausting internal conflicts and join hands with other minority groups to raise our voices against racism and inequality.

Solidarity among ethnic minorities is not a choice; it is a matter of survival and a matter of dignity. Only when we tear down our own walls and venture out into the vast ocean of solidarity can we be recognized as responsible citizens who are building Canadian society together. That is the responsibility of the senior generation who cultivated this land first, and it is the greatest legacy we can pass down to future generations. While offering sharp constructive criticism, I sincerely hope that our community will master the art of dialogue and solidarity to soar as a proactive leadership group. As chroniclers, we must all take the lead in elevating our standing by meticulously archiving every instance of such solidarity.