Intolerant to intolerance

“I would not like for this great rally to be besmirched by the perception of violence.”

Re: the opinion piece written by Rory Beck entitled “Peace through murder?”

I’ve certainly said the wrong thing before, either in a circumstance where I didn’t put the proper thought into my statement beforehand, or where my sense of humour finds itself in the wrong place.

It would appear that I have found myself in that situation again.

During the recent anti-white supremacy rally I was photographed holding a sign that says, “The Only Good Fascist is A Very Dead Fascist.” Getting ready for this rally, I was listening to the Canadian punk band Propagandhi’s album, the album from where the title I was quoting originated.

About nine years ago I was in a band that performed this song, and the phrase has always stuck with me, primarily as an anti-fascist statement.

I had never personally associated the phrase with the advocation of murder, and this led to a slight surprise when I saw my picture featured in an opinion piece written by Rory M. Beck titled “Peace through murder?”

In hindsight, I can understand, how without full knowledge of the context or circumstance, one may perceive this sign as openly hostile. Yes, this sign is in fact hostile, but certainly not in the way that Mr. Beck has painted me.

I’m writing this letter for a dual purpose.

First, because I would not like for this great rally to be besmirched by the perception of violence. As I said, that was not my intention, and it bothers me to think that something so small could potentially tarnish the image of this event.

This event was organized with love and community at its core, the advocation of nonviolent retaliation of hate.

Secondly, there is one phrase that stood out, and is a sentiment I have been seeing throughout this trying time in history: “The irony of someone who demands tolerance being so intolerant is scary.”

I have been, and will continue to be, intolerant to intolerance. The paradox of tolerance, conceived by philosopher Karl Popper, argued that if we were to be tolerant to intolerant actions, this would only lead to the success of intolerance.

I will remain intolerant to hate and bigotry, but I will do so with the attempt that my words are able to stand on their own without explanation to their intention.

In short, I’ve learnt that context is rather important, particularly when supporting a movement that is far larger and more important than myself.

GUARDIAN PHOTO Dana Doucette carries a sign during the march down Queen Street in the anti-white supremacy rally held in Charlottetown last Saturday. Doucette says the sign was meant as an anti-fascist statement and that he doesn’t condone violence.