Learning Activity 3.5, Task 2: What has Influenced Me?

     Growing up in Cornwall, Ontario, I have been exposed to predominantly white cultural influences. However, the part of Cornwall I live in is a Muslim community, so the culture and influences I've gained were actually Islamic and Desi culture despite the mostly-white demographic.

Cornwall Sign -Choose Ontario

    The food in Cornwall is a big part of going out for me. My family and other Muslims in the community practically never eat out, because in the whole city there has only ever been one halal restaurant. As a Muslim in an Islamic atmosphere, the area of Cornwall I lived in mostly ate cultural dishes at home. We still go out or order from one of the only Halal restaurant options in the city, Shah's, which sells the pizza, wings, afghan, and desi food we would make at home anyway. 

    In terms of fashion, Cornwall isn't a very bougie town. The styles in Cornwall are mostly drawn from Western styles. The outfits in Cornwall range from Western crop-tops to Walmart pyjamas, and the local fashion reflects Western cultural norms and aesthetics. I myself don't wear Cornwall attire. I wear Islamic clothing like a hijab and a niqab which cover my entire body. Wearing modest clothing gets me a lot of dirty looks from everyone in the community who is not Muslim, but many people are still very nice to.

    The architecture in Cornwall is mostly Western architectural designs. Cornwall is an old town though, so a lot of houses are from the 1950s, especially in certain neighbourhoods. The city recently began building new houses, these ones sleek and black, with a minimalistic type style. We also live right near the St. Lawrence, so there are many cottages and houses lined near the water. While there may be fewer examples of architectural diversity compared other cities, there are still opportunities to appreciate the historical significance of local landmarks.


Cornwall, Ontario - Britinnica 


    Cornwall, like any city, also has many leisure activities. There are many wildlife parks, such as Grey's Creek, where you can go bird watching and for long walks. Fishing is a popular sport near the St. Lawerence, as is gold and hiking. Many people opt to relax near the water at our local civic centre. There are also many cute shops that line our streets, which makes walking through downtown Cornwall not only fun, but exciting as well.


Cornwall Ontario Water - City of Cornwall


    Similar to leisure activities, Cornwall has a few common entertainment sources. One is the theatre, and others are more unique to our community. We have very competitive tug-of-war in Cornwall, and in Summer there are a lot of events to showcase Cornwall's art and diversity. We also have a farmers market, which while not being very culturally diverse, is still a lot of fun to walk through and appreciate.




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