Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the Chinese diaspora in Vancouver will showcase their passion for sports amid Asian Heritage Month.
Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, the CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum, says a special exhibition, which represents Chinese Canadians’ involvement in sports, will open on June 10.
The exhibition, called Momentum: Power and Identity in Sports, will help combat racism and stereotypes that many have about Asians.
“I think that sports is really a powerful lens, because it’s one of the few places where conversations around identity, belonging, representation, and nationalism become very public and emotional,” said Lee, mentioning Canadians’ deep-rooted passion for hockey.
On May 12, the federal government announced over $1.4 million in funding for the Chinese Canadian Museum, with $12,000 given to support its exhibition ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
“As we mark Asian Heritage Month, we recognize that Chinese Canadian stories are a vital part of Canada’s identity,” said Marc Miller, the federal minister of Canadian identity and culture, in a press release.
Wade Grant, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change, said the museum can reflect the rich Chinese Canadian history by strengthening its ability to welcome visitors at exhibitions.
Lee says the federal funding is a wonderful way to celebrate Asian Heritage Month.
“The funding from the government really affirms that they believe that we are part of the national narrative in Canada,” said Lee.
Museums in general, Lee believes, can play a powerful role in creating spaces for people to encounter stories that they may have never learned before.
According to Lee, the museum will feature artifacts and photos of Chinese Canadian athletes, displaying a sports montage that will include footage from the Olympics. On top of that, there will be a sports bar where visitors can interact.
“Momentum brings Chinese Canadian athletes into full view, across soccer, hockey, basketball, football, figure skating, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, and beyond,” read the official website of the exhibition.
During the World Cup, Lee says the exhibition will open for extended hours to get extra visitor traffic, mentioning its proximity to BC Place, where the world-famous soccer event will take place.
Lee says there are so many Chinese Canadians who have been leading athletes in Canada, despite the stereotype that Asians are not interested in sports.
One of Lee’s examples was Alexa Loo, the Canadian Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2006 and 2010 Olympics.
In an interview with 1130 NewsRadio, Loo said the exhibition of the Chinese Canadian athletes is a great opportunity for children to be inspired to compete at a high level.
“I feel that this particular exhibition is a huge opportunity to just showcase and remind people of how Chinese Canadians have come to Canada, made this our home, and been part of the fabric of sports and life in Canada,” said Loo.
The best way for Asians to combat racism in sports, Loo recommends, is to get involved and not listen to someone who tells them, “you’re not going to be good enough at this.”
“You are more capable than you can imagine. You have a role here, and you have the ability and the opportunity,” said Loo.
During Asian Heritage Month, her message to her fellow Asian Canadians is that they should create opportunities for their family and themselves, whether it is in business, sports, education, or art.
“The sky’s the limit for us,” Loo said.
Looking back at her days as an Olympian, she remembers all the kids who thanked her and said, “Wow, now I see someone who looks like me doing sports, and I didn’t think that those would be available to me.”
“I hope that those kids are stepping up and being the role models for the next generation of what’s possible,” said Loo.
Lee also shares that she wants the younger generations who visit the museum to see themselves reflected in different Asian athletes.
“It’s not only about highlighting the athletes, but it’s also about highlighting fans, communities, and what it means to belong in Canada.”
With the FIFA World Cup just a month ahead, Lee says she looks forward to Vancouver being in the global spotlight.
“This is an important moment for us to showcase the diversity, the complexity, and the richness of Canadian identity through arts and culture,” Lee said.
“We’re looking forward to doing that at the Chinese Canadian Museum.”