Dear Editor
There was a bit of a controversy over wearing niqabs during citizenship ceremonies during the election. At best that was a tempest in a teapot.
Citizenship and Immigration stated they were aware of only two people who chose to not proceed with citizenship because of the ban. At worst, it was Harper trying to win a few votes by encouraging hate.
I'm in favour of allowing people to wear niqabs predominantly for human rights reasons, but another reason I support it is because I want to welcome people to Canada who are different from me.
Here is an analogy. When I went to grad school and I was looking at student success, the research indicated smaller classrooms are better than big until a class is so small that there is no diversity of opinions. Students are not challenged to think, to empathize or to be as creative if everyone agrees with them. We need diversity.
I later taught in very small classes where I'd throw out something controversial like, "I want us to really think about capital punishment in Canada" only to hear everyone say, "We all believe it is wrong." Those were mind numbingly dull discussions.
Historians and economists have both noted the greatest inventors often lived in urban areas where there were cross-cultural influences, areas where people were forced to say "I never thought of that in those ways."
Some of the richest companies in the world combine North American creativity with Japanese management styles in Chinese factories.
Oh, I know that embracing diversity is going to be troublesome at times. I know I will be red in the face angry when someone from a traditional culture talks about the status of women or parents using corporal punishment. I know I will put my foot in my mouth way too often. I'm already too proficient at being politically incorrect. I know there will be legal battles fought around religious freedoms. But is it worth the struggle?
To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, as our times are new, there is great, wonderful value in thinking anew and acting anew. Give me that exciting, sometimes awkward, sometimes exhilarating life where people who have different values and different ideas can come together and grow and argue and create together.
We're stronger together.
Wayne Schlapkohl
North Battleford
