Krushnadevsinh (Kano) Ravalji is a public speaker and MC sharing messages of inclusion, anti-racism and acceptance. He is currently Youth Commissioner at the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and CEO of Third Culture Australia, a youth-led social enterprise providing diversity education to schools and youth organisations across Melbourne.
There’s a quote on the Third Culture website which says, “Diversity is a reality, inclusion is a choice”. What you mean by this?
I think diversity is a reality. We can’t change it. Go outside and you’ll see people from all different walks of life… People are different. There’s nothing wrong with that. But then what creates spaces to be safe and welcome is that inclusion aspect, which we as humans, organisation and policymakers have the power over. [Third Culture’s] not an activist organisation, we’re an organisation that educates people that [diversity] is reality, and then it’s in all our hands to make sure inclusion is a thing.
How can we engage in a productive conversation about inclusivity?
I think you have to connect with people on a human-to-human level. I’ve worked with some tough crowds, and if you’re going in with a preconceived notion, it never works out. Also, most people are scared of change because they’re misinformed about what diversity is… So, I think you [need to] connect with someone on a human-to-human level, and unpack that [fear] a little bit, instead of demanding for things. Find out why [they’re afraid] – what is inclusion, what does it look like [for them]. Also, diversity looks different for everyone – try to connect with the person on the level of ‘this is my diversity, what’s yours?’
You were on an episode of Deal or No Deal where you won $1 – what did you do with it?
Look, I haven’t received the dollar yet! When I do, I have a plan to keep the dollar because it’ll remind me of the experience I had going on Deal or No Deal to speak my message. [I hope it’ll] serve as that little inspiration or representation for any little kids watching around the country, seeing this brown dude on TV embracing and spreading his message. So that’s what that dollar will hopefully symbolise to me…and I’ll pass it on to my kids!
What’s something that you’re currently listening to/reading/playing/watching?
I’ve been reading self-help books? That’s boring… What’s something fun…?
[Actually], here’s what I’ll be watching for the next couple of weeks – The Olympics! I’ll be watching and hoping India wins the gold. Kano Ravalji
What’s a word that you like in a South Asian language, and what does it mean?
‘Anicca’, which is a Pali word that means impermanence, like nothing is permanent, everything is changing all the time. It’s Buddhist teaching, a word that I really relate with.
And finally: Soan Papdi or Papdi Chaat?
Papdi chaat; I need a bit of flavour, you know? Even though I’m a Gujarati and we have a stereotype of eating sweets, absolutely not [soan papdi], I don’t like the texture!
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