Catalyst: A Collection of Commentaries to Get Us Talking

By Alex Sangha

Alex Sangha has an impressively broad range of knowledge on issues that affect the world, and challenges problems that most people have come to accept. Sangha doesnt just point out the troubles in this world, but thinks of bold solutions for them.

- Jenny Uechi, Managing Editor, Vancouver Observer

Alex Sangha has produced a critical, yet positive, book that covers a range of topics, from environmental conservation to reconciling religion and sexuality to depression and arranged marriage. He believes every person should be informed and should have their say on subjects that matter.

Catalyst is a collection of 40 short commentaries about problems facing Canada and the world in the 21st century. It is filled with topics for social discussion for the informed citizen, as well as for parents and teachers who want to get young adults thinking critically about the world around them.

Catalyst is an excellent conversation starter. Each article includes questions for the reader, which can be a great springboard for critical discussion.

Alex writes clearly, concisely and with a non-judgmental view point. Alex is clearly a world citizen who disseminates on a wide variety of issues with amazing clarity. His refreshing views on a wide range of subjects are written with elegance and a light touch that does not cloud the issues.

- Veeno Dewan, Former Editor, Voice Newspaper

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481754903

Alex Sangha

Alex Sangha is an award-winning social worker and human rights activist who lives and works in the Metro Vancouver area of BC. Sangha has advocated for marginalized people including those with mental illness, South Asian immigrants, and gays and lesbians. Sangha is always interested in meeting new people, developing new friendships and relationships, and learning new things. He believes anyone can help bring about social change and make a difference in someone's life; all it takes is effort. Sangha was born in England, raised in Canada, and is of Indian descent. It is therefore no surprise that he feels like a product of the British Empire. Sangha completed a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, a Master in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics, as well as a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University. Sangha is currently the driving force behind the Dignity House project, which aims to provide affordable housing for vulnerable seniors in Vancouver.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Introduction

We Are One

Our World

The Occupy Movement

The Peaceful Protest

A Kinder Capitalism

A Bunch Of Fat Greedy Cows

A Better Balance

The Law Of Mother Earth

A Toxic Gooey Mess

Eating To Save The Planet

Our Country

Social Finance

Reducing Canada’s Debt

Creating Jobs

Welfare Reform

More Meaningful Support

Student Loan Forgiveness

More Doctors Please

Sustainable Immigration

The Seven Wards Of Surrey

The End Of Big Money In Politics

Canada Minus Quebec Isn’t Canada

Respect Our Elders

An Aboriginal Parliament

The Red Chamber

Employment Equity

Girl Power

Everybody Deserves A Chance

Our Flawed Prison System

The Death Penalty

Lifting Seniors Out Of Poverty

Dignity House

Diversity Versus The Church

Our Life

When Sadness Never Fades

What About The Sex Trade?

Gay And Brown In The Burbs

Living A Double Life

Sexual Attraction: Nature Or Nurture?

The Arranged Marriage

A Primer On Sikh Philosophy

Free Will Or Fate

Afterlife

Seeing The Light

Conclusion

And Finally…

About The Author

Endnotes

To the Creator

for providing me with a life rich in challenges, learning and opportunity.

Acknowledgements

To my wonderful mother, Jaspal Kaur Sangha, for her unconditional love and support.

To the late January Marie Lapuz for always putting a smile on my face.

To my friends and family who have steadfastly stood by me.

To my editors Corinne Smith (2nd ed.) and Ann Westlake (1st ed.)

To my marketing experts Claire Preston (2nd ed.) and Usha Sliva (1st ed.)

INTRODUCTION

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We Are One

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

~ Anne Frank

When I first started writing about issues that concern us, my view, as one might expect, was limited to what was happening in my immediate neighbourhood. My fears, hopes, and dreams were bound to my personal life and the lives of those I knew and loved. I had so many questions. What would it be like to be brown and openly gay in the suburbs? Can depression be prevented? What did I learn from Sikhism?

As I dug deeper into each subject, I started to see that no problem exists in isolation. The Japanese have a term for this: engi, which means ‘arising in relation’. In other words, everything is related to everything else. With each cause, there is a consequence. What we do to each other has a direct impact on the environment, our mental and physical health, and how we grow as individuals.

We are killing the world we live in, destroying the life we seek to create. If we don’t take a stand today, there may be nothing left to fight for tomorrow. Global warming is irreversible; species lost through over-farming are lost forever; killing others in the name of religion is final. What are we doing as a nation to stop this? How can we, as individuals, make a difference?

The world as we know it changed a lot over the last few decades. We’ve seen widespread advances in technology and communications, and economic upheavals that have pushed some countries into the limelight and devastated others. We’ve witnessed unfettered fanaticism through organizations like Al Qaida and seen how it has reshaped the idea of religion.

Students face an uncertain future where the Internet, global warming, and tough economic times compete for their attention. Families must make decisions and sacrifices based on the political and economic climate of the day. And sexuality – once boxed and labelled – has broken free and demands its place in society.

So many changes in such a short time and I’m pretty sure this is just the tip of the iceberg. No wonder we’ve seen such a dramatic rise in social chaos. Disruption in one part of the world has consequences elsewhere. The disparity between the rich and the poor is still growing. And though we might not contribute to them directly, we are still affected by conflicts and tensions around the world. Our governments pour money into military and defence, and we are left to our own devices to understand and adjust to a rapidly changing world.

Economic depression, poverty in Africa, and the war on terror are very real issues. Gay rights, immigration disputes, and religious discrimination affect millions. Like most problems we know, even these can be resolved. But it is up to each and every one of us to rise to the challenge and make a difference.

This book is meant to get us talking and to make us think about where we are going as a country and as a society. Our values, goals, and beliefs will decide our future. Catalyst encourages you to ask the hard questions: Who are you, really? What is your place in society? What kind of future do you want for your families and your children?

OUR WORLD

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The Occupy Movement

It’s the 24th day of the Occupy Wall Street protests, also known as the largest homeless slumber party in the world.

~ Jimmy Kimmel

In the past, North American and European economies depended on a thriving automobile sector, decent wages, and population growth for stability. They relied on consumers who kept spending to keep the economy going. This is no longer the case. The gap between the rich and the poor is growing, ¹ the population is aging, ² and there are fewer working people to fund government programs. Wealthy countries are tightening immigration rules, ³ and new opportunities for economic growth are just not happening.

Corporations are outsourcing jobs to countries like China and India. ‘No strings attached’ free trade agreements don’t address sustainable labor, social, cultural, and environmental issues. Long hours and low pay and the dumping of toxic chemicals and pollutants – all in the name of cheap goods – reduce the quality of life in both the developed