Walking into the hallway of any post secondary institution, what do you see? Niches, formed by different cultures, background and common goals. Being a Canadian or Vancouver resident, we would always hold pride in our heritage of being multicultural and accepting others, but ask yourself this question: Are you attached to a Niche?

Perhaps this question could lead to issues of equality, stereotypes, and even racism, but the focus is that NICHES KILLS HYPE.

Look at universities. How many different Asian clubs are there? It’s not a negative aspect, but if you join one club, it obviously takes you away from meeting people from the others. Why can’t there only be one Asian Club? Why do we have to care about our backgrounds before choosing a club to join, and not on quality of the organization?

You go clubbing and the crowd is staged. Not just the environment, but the people you would expect. Going to this event or venue would mean you fit in this particular niche. Ever wanted to truly expand your network and become true Canadians, other than sticking to your niche? It’s not a bad thing, but it really brings issues because the city is not connected. People would choose a certain club to go to because of too many external reasons; it’s too evident that there is a huge niche factor attached in the Vancouver nightclub scene.

Various clubs and societies today really hold a strong pride in taking part of self hosted events or events hosted by various people within the niche circle. This is a problem because it kills hype. People within their own respective organization would only have interest or be excited about events that pertain to their circle of friends.

Look around at your closest friends. Do they share a similar culture or background as you? They are in your niche, but what about the other people that you met in school? Why don’t you hang with them and why aren’t you open to other culture’s traditions and truly respect Canada’s multiculturalism? You are not HYPED because you are too segregated within your own niche.

Of course, people would always be in a niche but the problem is that people can hardly jump from one to another. There are people out there that really have the notion of meeting and hanging out with different people which is extremely positive. But inclusion of niches because of backgrounds destroys the sense of HYPE built by other niches. Think of the possibility of a mutual respect and love for other events hosted by another niche. Everyone’s network and acceptance level will grow. New events and collaboration will spark. Vancouver’s identity will then truly form and the HYPE will rise.

Niches have killed HYPE but if these niches can cross boundaries, THE HEART OF THE CITY will beat as one.

Photography By Jarvis Ho

NOTE: This is an editorial and is the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of justalilhype!. If you disagree with or like it, send in your comments or YOUR topic to info@justalilhype.com