Diversity: Vancouver's Most Prized Possession
Diversity is an influencing factor found to some extent in every work of literature that we have read in English 101. In Hey! Nostradamus by Douglas Coupland, the characters differed in their religious beliefs. In Ethel Wilson’s The Innocent Traveller, despite belonging to the same family, every member of the Edgeworth family was an individual, differing from another in at least one critical manner. For example, Topaz and her brother, John, shared a common interest, this common interest was the reason for their close relationship; they both enjoyed dinner parties at Mr. Sandbach’s. However, while Topaz thought that she and John would continue to attend these parties well into the future, John was planning his marriage. This is an example of a difference in values. In the short story “Sophie” by Emily Carr, the difference between Emily and Sophie is in socioeconomic classes. This form of diversity proved beneficial because Sophie’s living conditions gave Emily a different perspective on life. Lastly, in the short story “Broken Teeth” by Sky Lee, the mother explains to her child the difference in the behaviour of children in the old days in the homeland, compared to the behaviour of those today in Vancouver. These differences represent cultural and generational diversity.
According to Organizational Behaviour by Nancy Langton and Stephen Robbins, the term group diversity “refers to the presence of a heterogeneous mix of individuals within a group” (Langton and Robbins, 222). There are advantages, as well as disadvantages that accompany diversity. The advantages are: multiple perspectives, greater openness to new ideas, multiple interpretations, increased creativity, increased flexibility, and increased problem-solving skills (Langton and Robbins, 224). The disadvantages are: ambiguity, complexity, confusion, miscommunication, difficulty in reaching a single agreement, and difficulty in agreeing on specific actions (Langton and Robbins, 224). In Vancouver we reap and enjoy the advantages of the diversity supplied by multiculturalism. 
As well, like any other place in the world there are the disadvantages presented by diversity, however, we take pride in our ability to surpass these differences. In fact, according to a survey conducted in late 2005, amongst 126 other cities, CNN reported at http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe
/10/04/eui.survey , “Vancouver is the world's most desirable place to live…”.
Diversity is an influencing factor found to some extent in every work of literature that we have read in English 101. In Hey! Nostradamus by Douglas Coupland, the characters differed in their religious beliefs. In Ethel Wilson’s The Innocent Traveller, despite belonging to the same family, every member of the Edgeworth family was an individual, differing from another in at least one critical manner. For example, Topaz and her brother, John, shared a common interest, this common interest was the reason for their close relationship; they both enjoyed dinner parties at Mr. Sandbach’s. However, while Topaz thought that she and John would continue to attend these parties well into the future, John was planning his marriage. This is an example of a difference in values. In the short story “Sophie” by Emily Carr, the difference between Emily and Sophie is in socioeconomic classes. This form of diversity proved beneficial because Sophie’s living conditions gave Emily a different perspective on life. Lastly, in the short story “Broken Teeth” by Sky Lee, the mother explains to her child the difference in the behaviour of children in the old days in the homeland, compared to the behaviour of those today in Vancouver. These differences represent cultural and generational diversity.
According to Organizational Behaviour by Nancy Langton and Stephen Robbins, the term group diversity “refers to the presence of a heterogeneous mix of individuals within a group” (Langton and Robbins, 222). There are advantages, as well as disadvantages that accompany diversity. The advantages are: multiple perspectives, greater openness to new ideas, multiple interpretations, increased creativity, increased flexibility, and increased problem-solving skills (Langton and Robbins, 224). The disadvantages are: ambiguity, complexity, confusion, miscommunication, difficulty in reaching a single agreement, and difficulty in agreeing on specific actions (Langton and Robbins, 224). In Vancouver we reap and enjoy the advantages of the diversity supplied by multiculturalism. 
As well, like any other place in the world there are the disadvantages presented by diversity, however, we take pride in our ability to surpass these differences. In fact, according to a survey conducted in late 2005, amongst 126 other cities, CNN reported at http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/04/eui.survey , “Vancouver is the world's most desirable place to live…”.
Langton, Nancy and Robbins, Stephen. Organization Behaviour. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 2006.
