Hotashi

I haven’t been following the whole debate (some would call it a controversy) over the recent approval of an Africentric school in Toronto very closely, but it really intrigues me that this is such a huge issue. Why are people so against a school that recognizes the need to recognize how prevalent and important issues of race and ethnicity are to education and the current curriculum? Especially with regards to the inherent racism and Eurocentracism that is embedded in the Ontario curriculum. I mean most, or at least a good portion of people, have quite strong opinions on the approval of this school. Some of the arguments made against this school is that it is segregating and that it should not be publicly funded.

Personally, I think the first argument is pretty weak considering that we already have schools segregated by class, gender and religion. We have private schools for those who can afford it [class]. We have all-girls and all-boys schools [gender]. And we have religious schools [publicly funded Catholic schools and numerous privately funded schools]. So why is race and ethnicity such a touchy subject? Well, publicly funding religious schools was an issue in the last provincial election, but I believe it was more of a race issue than anything else. Sorry, I digress. So if we have all these other forms of educational spaces, then why is a racial/ethnic social space so threatening? Could it be that the embedded racism that exists in the curriculum also exists, and is perpetuated by, the racism held by a good portion of Ontario residents? And just to clarify, the school is not only for Black students. It is open to everyone. So how exactly is is segregating?

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A couple of nights ago I was watching TV with my mom and sister. It was a discussion between the audience, the anchor and an Ontario MP on the debate over whether the Lord’s Prayer should be removed from the Ontario Legislature. I was interested to hear what the responses were from viewers (which I acknowledge is obviously screened). After hearing numeraous individuals call in, I was quite appauled by the consistent Othering language used by many “Christians” who called in. Some of the response were along the lines of these statements:

1. They come to our country and they should accept our traditions.
2. We have to give up our traditions to those people who come here.
3. Canada is more than accomodating to their religions and I don’t see why they should come here and tell us to throw away our traditions.

At what point will they become us? What is it to be Canadian? Does it even matter that I am legally a Canadian citizen? Will the colour of my skin always trigger labels of Other, immigrant, and alien to these Canadians? Does it even matter that I am typically classified as a Christian? According to the statements I heard, I am not a “real” Canadian because I immigrated here.

Well what about “those people” who have been in Canada for generations and are NOT Christian? Are they still not seen as Canadian? Why? What defines a Canadian? Whiteness? Christian-ness? Why are Others still seen as a threat to Canada? Why aren’t they allowed to shape Canada and Canadian culture the way that other “Canadians” are allowed to? When will they be accepted as equal citizens? It is so disappointing to see the same rationality that existed during overtly racist policies designed to keep Others out and Whites in, still resides in the hearts of many Canadians. Of course, I know these comments do not represent all Canadians, and I certainly hope (although I’m more likely being naive) that most Canadians don’t hold these beliefs.

What also bothered me while watching this was that the facilitators of the discussion did not even attempt to draw attention to the inherent racism in the words of these callers. The MP was quick to correct them on the details of the debate, but didn’t even think it was necessary to clarify the Othering that was taking place. Sure it would have diverted off topic, but at least give some discretion to the viewers and future callers so that they can recognize how their words were creating an “us” and “them” labelling session. And to think that this moron was voted into a seat to represent Canadians…can our society be any more pathetic?

Lastly, in reference to the popular arguement of keeping with tradition that was used to keep the prayer in the Legislature, I need to state this. Keeping a tradition for the sake of tradition is dangerous. Traditions have been used in this country to voilate human rights numerous times, so you need to come up with a better justification than ‘it has always been like that’. That was (and is) the same rationality that was/is used to justify the secondary status of women, the oppression and marginalization of racialized peoples, homophobic laws, etc. Ask yourself why you want to keep a tradition. If it is just because that’s all you’ve ever known, then keeping the tradition is more about your own alientation and complacency than it is about benefitting Canadian soceity and the peoples who call it home. Serving yourself, especially in reference to your irrational fears, is harmful to those you Other as well as the people you pass your irrational fears onto.

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I’m still in shock from finding out that Heath Ledger has passed away. He was twenty-eight years old and has a two year old daughter with his ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams. It’s really sad. I had the same shock when Aaliyah passed away a few years ago in a plane crash. Sometimes celebrities (even though I don’t follow them) seem somewhat invincible and close to me. So when they pass away it really hits me suddenly as though someone I really knew died. I really feel sad for Heath’s family, especially his daughter. Right now the police are trying to determine the cause of death. Suicide is a possibility although his family is claiming it he wasn’t suicidal and his passing was accidental. I really hope that it isn’t a homicide. That would be really tragic.

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While looking for articles for my paper, I came across a story that really touched me. It’s titled 4 friends die in crash after church event. Four women died from a head-on collision with a van. The driver of the van is suspected to have been intoxicated. What touched me was the statement made by the daughter of one of the deceased women. She stated:

“I feel compassion for the man’s family also,” she said. “It’s a sickness, and it was just unfortunate that people still think they can drive and drink. It’s just a tragedy for everyone involved, his family also.”

“And I know that if my mother was alive, she would have forgiven him. That’s what she taught us to do.”

Wow. Those words are so eye opening. It’s very true though. We often demonize drunk driving to the point that anyone associated with the drunk driver is stigmatized as well. And really, what did they do wrong? Drinking and driving is also portrayed as a horrible act that makes anyone who commits the act a monster. It’s not that the person didn’t make a poor decision, but this monster label is so harmful. If someone is an alcoholic then they need our support, not our scrutiny. I know it is a very sensitive topic, especially for those who have lost someone close to them from drunk driving. But when I see people drink and drive, or the perpetual abuse of driving by alcoholics under the influence, I see it as a failure of the system, not necessarily the complete failure of the person committing the act.

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