Let 鈥渢ake you on a journey of self-reflection and transformation,鈥� Trinity Western University (TWU) coach Cheryl Jean-Paul said in an on Monday, Feb. 1 with the title A Different Life Journey On A Shared Street.
鈥淲e can all do better. We can all be better,鈥� said Jean-Paul, head coach of women鈥檚 basketball at 91原创-based TWU.
She described how she has the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.鈥檚 I Have A Dream speech hanging in her office, 鈥渁nd every time I read it, I wonder, how would he speak into our situation today?鈥�
Even in what Jean-Paul called the 鈥淲estern Canadian, British Columbian, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley context鈥� we are still referring to the fear of what and who remain unknown to us and our consistent struggle.鈥�
She made a call for tolerance and acceptance of people 鈥渨hose skin tone is different, whose syntax is unfamiliar, whose name is challenging to pronounce, whose food is mysterious, whose look is 鈥榚xotic鈥�, but who, as our brother and our sister, should still bring harmony to our life.鈥�
鈥淚f I am to be honest, there are times when I鈥檝e slowed down long enough to remember that I don鈥檛 always fit,鈥� Jean-Paul said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 not the calling God had in store for me, to feel less than because I鈥檓 not the same. We matter, I matter, to God and always have.鈥�
鈥淲e are all human, we share fears, tears, laughter and joy,鈥� Jean-Paul added.
鈥淲e did not grow up in the same home, or attend the same church or school, but yet, if we believe the Bible to be true, then we are the most important kind of family 鈥� adopted spiritual kin.鈥�
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Jean-Paul added TWU athletics has initiated a group of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People Of Colour) and 鈥渁lly student-athletes and staff,鈥� who have come together as the Diversity and Anti-Racism Council (DARC)
鈥淲e want to enhance communication and education that initiates long-lasting change,鈥� Jean-Paul said.
Her post noted that the coach is of Haitian and German-Mennonite descent, born and raised in Winnipeg and currently living in 91原创.
Is there more to the story? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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