We're already home

Photo: Contributed

A group of authors working out of Vernon are spreading a message of tolerance, acceptance and love.

Three authors have put together a heartwarming play featuring different religious groups that challenges the ignorance that surrounds them everyday.

The play titled 'We're Already Home' has already been published and is getting some serious acclaim.

Co-authors Terry Jordan, Lorna Tureski and Arnie Hayashi tell the story of next door neighbours, a christian family and a muslim family, whose teens fall in love despite their differences, and explores the conflict that develops from that.

“Because of that the families are kind of dragged into getting to know each others traditions and faiths and it exposes their kind of ignorance and bias that we all sort of socially inherit,” explains author Arnie Hayashi. “The conflict sort of teaches the two families that they have a lot more in common then they originally thought.”

The play was born out of the Vernon Interfaith Bridging Project. A group that represents the majority of the religious groups in the Vernon area and hopes to spread a message of acceptance.

“We try to educate people about the differences in religious traditions and beliefs,” says Hayashi. “To try to broaden people’s understanding of each other’s faiths and sort of promote acceptance rather than fear and ignorance.”

He says in light of the tragic events in Ottawa, fear and ignorance took over for some Canadians, and they want to help stop the hate.

Specifically in Cold Lake, AB a muslim mosque was vandalized and the words 'Go Home' were written on the side. The town however showed their best colours and worked together to clean up the mess and wrote “You are home”. A moment that resonates with Hayashi.

He says their title “We're Already Home” works on the same concept and he hopes they can find good contacts in the Albertan town to send over copies of their play.

“I think it is a worthwhile thing. We all think it has a great potential to be put in the schools and be used as a tool to deal with some of the faith issues going on in our neighbourhoods these days,” adds Hayashi.

The play had one showing in Vernon and entirely sold out, they are now hoping a lot of people will show up Saturday to support their book release and signing.

“The writers are all going to be there along with people from the interfaith community and we are going to act out a scene from the play. There will also be books available for purchase,” shares Hayashi.

If you want to attend the signing and release event, head to the Japanese Cultural Centre, located at 4895 Bella Vista Road in Vernon, Nov. 22 from 2 - 5 p.m.

“With the current media being filled with scary, negative images that promote hate, indifference and conflict, we need influences that counter those forces. We need to promote our similarities, our humanity, our compassion. If we work at it, we can get past ignorance and fear,” adds Hayashi.