Zarah Monfaredi on dismantling stereotypes through kitchen table talks

PhD candidate Zarah Monfaredi shares her experience supporting community-engaged research in Surrey.

First things first: I don’t think Ontario is the centre of Canada, though I did grow up in a suburb north of Toronto.

I felt like I needed to get that out of the way because, as an Ontario expat now calling B.C. home, I’ve learned a lot about the stereotypes and (mostly) harmless rivalries – from hockey teams to the best seafood-- that exist across our country. I moved to B.C. three years ago and have had the chance to explore much of this beautiful province. As a researcher in the Cities, Health, and Active Transportation Research (CHATR) Lab, my work recently brought me to Surrey.

Over the last few months, our research team partnered with existing programs supporting residents in Surrey. From our very first meeting with residents, I was struck by the warmth that I was welcomed with. As we sat around the table discussing experiences of living in Surrey, we sipped on cups of tea and laughed about common experiences. It didn’t take long to feel like we’d built trust in the room; even with a language barrier in our session with Punjabi-speaking older adults, I left with hugs and handshakes from my new ‘Aunties’ and ‘Uncles’ around the table. Certainly, we did discuss shared frustrations and concerns about safety as well. While I learned that there is truth to the stereotype that Surrey faces crime and violence, these concerns didn’t dominate the conversations. Many residents in Surrey yearn to build community and connections with their neighbours. In our session with newcomers to Canada, we heard that new residents want to settle their families in Surrey for generations to come. Diversity is seen as a strength that brings people together, rather than a difference tears people apart, and residents are curious to learn about different cultures. The prevailing stereotype undermines all the potential for Surrey to be a welcoming community for residents of many different backgrounds.

I feel grateful for all that community-based research teaches me, but in particular, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn about the vibrant city right at my doorstep.