So what’s all this mistrust of immigrants really about?
When the Russians, Poles, Ukrainians arrived in Canada they were suspected of “taking over our way of life.” The Chinese were even charged a head tax, discriminated against, feared, but they were instrumental in the building of our railroads.
Hungarians, Japanese, Italians, Vietnamese, Blacks, Catholics, and many others have taken their turn at being feared, hated, discriminated against, beaten, robbed, murdered and all without any real evidence of any deliberate or premeditated group takeover or ruination of our Canadian society. We are still and hopefully will always be a nation friendly to any and all who wish to come in peace to our country.
So where does all this hatred come from? Who is behind this hatred? It appears most of it seems to come from the far right-wing of our political spectrum. Isn’t it about time we, of the open-minded majority speak up? Let’s stand up for real Canadian values. New Canadians are welcome. New Canadians are assets, not liabilities.
Remember the fear and that was promoted by some of the Vietnamese Boat People? The gangs that were going to overtake our society? Have you gone to a Vietnamese restaurant lately? Kind of a nice addition to our list of eateries aren’t they? Our professionals, doctors, scientists, lawyers, engineers and yes even our politicians have immigrants and/or their descendants included in their numbers.
Where’s the terrorism that the “Syrian Hoard” was going to bring to Canada? Promoting hatred and fear of a particular religion, race or nationality divides us. Is divide and conquer the strategy of the likes of Leitch and O’Leary following the MO (modus operandi) of Donald Trump?
There are people fleeing Trump’s regime. We can and must help these folks. We are obligated to do the right thing. Of course we must follow the proper steps and procedures when bringing in these refugees.
Thank goodness we have a competent and open-minded government, so far.
We must stand up to and stop racist, xenophobic and any other forms of discrimination by wanna-be political leaders and their cowardly followers. Stop the promotion of hate.
Today the hate target seems to be Muslims and Jews, but who’s next?
Will you be part of the next target? Non-whites? Seniors? Short folks? Tall people? Buddhists? Atheists? Disabled? Bald guys? Vegetarians?
Hatred and the promotion of hate is an equal-opportunity scenario. Anyone or any group can be a victim. Truth, facts, fairness, open-mindedness has nothing to do with how victims are chosen. “Pick ‘em – Hate ‘em.” Simple as that, especially if the intended victims are vulnerable and defenceless.
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
Bert LaBuick, St. Albert
