‘Cookbook’ article ruined my appetite

I wish to comment on the ongoing leftist bumf in The Telegram under the title “The Democracy Cookbook,”

particularly the rendering of this unappetizing mishmash which appeared Oct. 31, “Building an inclusive democracy in Newfoundland and Labrador.” The theme of the article was celebrating diversity and multiculturalism. The article boldly stated — without the slightest evidence for its absurd presumption — that diversity is far more likely to lead to success in any society’s activity. Prospects for success in business and government are greatly enhanced with diversity and a multicultural society, the article argues.

I would like to query of its two professor authors, do they assume all cultures are equal?

Patently all cultures are not equal. Western European “culture” built our modern world. Are the professors seriously arguing the cultures that built the repressive regimes throughout the world are equal to the culture of the West? Are they arguing even the most primitive and brutal cultures of the world are to be embraced as equals of Western culture?

As for diversity and success, what are we to make of the huge Asian economic juggernauts of China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, which have patently rejected the multicultural morass and diversity for their respective homogeneous societies. Look what diversity and unrestrained immigration has caused in Europe: chaos and mass murders. Who wants that kind of diversity?

Particularly galling for me in their sanctimonious article is their praising of the Orwellian-named federal “Employment Equity Act.” While these two professors extol the enlightenment of this legislation, let me tell them the reality of it: the first question I am asked when seeking federal employment is “are you Indigenous”? No; next question: “are you a member of a minority group?” No; last question: are you male or female or you do not wish to say?” The absurdity of this is palpable because the federal employer calling me can plainly hear my male voice. Without a doubt my application is shifted to the bottom of the pile for reasons I have no control over.

Subsequent to this “interview,” I have heard nothing further from the federal employer. Somehow I am not feeling the inclusiveness the two professors boast about.

I am amazed at the arrogance of the authors who, in their article, blandly go on to dismiss the historic population of the province as likely being too lacking in initiative to innovate success for the province. The esteemed professors go on to theorize that the homogeneous nature of the population is responsible for this. Once again, this “homogeneous” factor has not apparently retarded the enormous success of the Asian nations I have noted.

I am calling for a public apology to the population of this province from these two professors. What they have stated is a tremendous insult to all Newfoundlanders and our ancestors. Would these academics be allowed to get away with this gratuitous insult if they were referring to a non-white population? It is the population of this province, need I remind these professors, that funds Memorial University, allowing them to scribble their nonsense so that The Telegram can publish it.

This “Cookbook” has cooked up a meal making me — a prime example of the “homogeneous” Newfoundlander so despised in the article — feeling poisoned.

Robin Reid St. John’s