Quebec's Bill 21 and Racism

In recent weeks there have been protests against racism around the world, some of them huge. Only time will tell, but it seems as though we have arrived at one of those pivotal moments of awareness, if not yet practice, when it comes to injustice. It may take years and even decades for systems to change in regard to racial inequality and those we choose to enforce justice which is often injustice. 

Yesterday there were protests of a somewhat different kind in the province of Quebec, although related. We might say that they were about religious injustice which is related to racism.A year ago Bill 21 was passed in Quebec, a law which prohibited wearing religious symbols by public officials, including the hijab or kippah by public servants in positions of authority. Many saw this as blatant bias against Muslim women whose style of dress would be most obvious. Some school boards refused to enforce this controversial law with teachers and other institutions followed suit. There have been legal challenges but the law stands. 
Initially the crucifix in the Quebec National Assembly was going to stay in place despite Bill 21 law, further pointing out that minority religious groups were being targetted, but it has now been removed .Last week, Premir Legault said the province is working to tackle racism in general although he has also said repeatedly that systemic racism is not an issue in Quebec.This sounds like double-speak to me. 

Bill 21 is a reminder that racism, and with it religious discrimination, can be masked by what are sometimes dubious appeals to secularism with the law as justification. There have been laws in Canada and the United States and other countries which institutionalized discrimination. They were eventually struck down but not without acrimonious debate at times. 

Laws can be the bludgeons of the powerful rather than protection for the vulnerable, From time to time it occurs to me that Jesus, and the apostles Paul and Peter were legally murdered by the state for their :sedition".

Racism is a sin which is persistent and which is antithetical to the gosple.   As we find our way toward societies which are fair and equitable we need to be outspoken and prayerful. .