This week we have listened to Sikhs, Jews, Muslims in Quebec who are wondering whether they are welcome in the province after the introduction of the Charter of Quebec Values. I have been calling it the Charter of Discrimination on Twitter, which declares my feelings. Even though some of these folk are not public sector employees the message they have received is that they are not respected because they are not "real" Quebecers. We know that crosses hang in the National Assembly and other public buildings, and that prayers are said in meetings of different levels of government. And isn't the white cross on the flag from the French crusader flags, you know --back when they rode off to kill the Muslims?
I'm trying to understand how a man wearing a kippah is offensive but a man wearing a bad toupee isn't! And I do wonder whether legislated discrimination is any better than the insidious racism, ageism, sexism of individuals. Bye the way, one Quebec professor noted that not only is this discrimination against particular religions over others, it is directed more toward woman because they wear headscarves and other more obvious clothing.
Take a look at this clip from a television show in which discrimination in blatantly directed toward someone dressed in a certain way associated with a religion. Watch it through to its completion because the ending is quite touching.
http://www.upworthy.com/a-boy-makes-anti-muslim-comments-in-front-of-an-american-soldier-the-soldiers-reply-priceless
Shalom, Salaam, Peace.
3 comments:
Amen!
David, I guess this means that you'll have to be careful traveling into Quebec with your celtic cross arm tatoo. Long sleeves only from here on in.
Yes, Frank, my aspirations for the Quebec public service have been dashed. Interesting to see that several high profile figures in Quebec have criticized the charter.
Post a Comment