One of the more common things I hear when it comes to disagreeing with ‘new’ ways of doing things because we have a lot of ‘new’ people in our country is that we need to be more culturally sensitive with how things are done in other countries, so it’s important to be flexible. Well, I was reading a story in the National Post this weekend about the world chess championship, which is slated for next year in Iran and it’s been announced all female participants must wear a hijab or risk being arrested. The governing body for chess has encouraged participants to be ‘culturally sensitive’ and dawn the head wear to show respect for how they do things in other countries. This message couldn’t be more clear when it comes to Canada: we have no culture and there is no way of doing things. If there was, we’d be polite to the newcomers and explain our way of doing things and that it’s important for them to be culturally sensitive of us. By the way, the United States warns travellers that you can be jailed in Iran for the silliest of things so why did chess decide to hold a world championship there? I can tell you this much: I wouldn’t be going.
I’ve seen two videos from the United States in recent days that appear to show cops, unjustly, handling black suspects. In one case, it looks like a man is handcuffed and cooperating when he is, suddenly, thrown down on the hood of the cruiser and smashes his face against the windshield, resulting in a crack.
Very unnecessary based on the video evidence I’ve seen and I would be pushing hard for major sanctions against the officers involved. In another case, it looks like a man is surrendering outside his vehicle with hands in the air and when officers converge on him, they lay a beating on him. Again, the video tells a story of police abuse and I would want those officers punished well beyond the extend of the law. We need to expect more from our men and women in blue. When they do stray from the law, we need to punish them so harshly that the next cop will think twice before committing a similar sin. I really believe that.
Now, let me also just say that if you are a frequent reader of my column, you know that I am a major supporter of police and in many of the cases the media has publicized, I disagree with how they have been portrayed. That doesn’t mean I side with them on everything. I think what the media has done to many of us is forced us to pick a side and we can’t admit when the other is right. Well, I refuse to do that. I think people on the far left and the far right are both nuts. What I’d like to see happen when it comes to racial divide and police officers is recognize both sides have work to do. It would be in the best interests of everyone if a spokesperson for the black community would admit that there have been issues with suspects not complying with police orders. By no means am I suggesting if you don’t comply you deserve to be shot or beaten up. But, the more I see compliance and also still witness police brutality, the more you will see all people (of all races) demand more from those who are supposed to be upholding our laws. You won’t need to be kneeling during an anthem or rioting in the streets to get your point across. Just be a good person and do as the officer says. If that, in itself, doesn’t protect you from an assault from a police officer then I’ll be the first in line to demand massive, overhauling changes.
If you are unsure of who to vote for in the upcoming municipal election, I would encourage you to check out the city’s website and look at the list of candidates and use their emails to send them questions. Don’t be shy (although one candidate has not posted his email, which I find interesting). You deserve to know where people stand on certain issues. I know one that baffles me is the beautification bylaw. How you can dictate what flowers have to be planted on your property to one business, but it’s okay for another business to leave big light standards laying around inches away from a city sidewalk.
Where’s the consistency? I think there are a lot of folks wondering about consistency in a number of areas, not just in beautification, and that’s why you see so many people running. Another issue that was brought to my attention just last week is how is it determined which people are ticketed for leaving their campers or trailers on the street? If the two or three stories I’ve been told in the last week are true, then consistency is an issue here too.
Nice person mentions this week to: Shane Roenspies, Shawn Patenaude, Sarah Kowalchuk, Corey Werner, and Amy Graves.
