Human rights should be given grounded rethink

Re: Trumpism gains a foothold here — Oct. 24

Columnist Thomas Walkom might be overstating MPs’ silent stand on human rights with his assertion that the worst of Trumpism has come to Canada.

The Roman Catholic habit; the Muslim burka … If women want to don a head harness and make life uncomfortable for themselves, who am I to object? If they feel this represents devotion, my thought is that God might prefer more practical measures of devotion and less pious ones. As for modesty, this should be given grounded rethink.

How and why should the public warm to the practice of another wearing a “portable curtain?” That’s what bandits and bank robbers do.

If God gave us smiles, frowns, winces and voices, why would the deity be pleased that we hide these expressions and muffle our voices in innocent conversation and daily communications? I rely on the body language of the face for full communication with others. Because my hearing isn’t the greatest, I lean on peripheral vision to do a little lip reading while I converse.

I’ve been both disarmed and coerced by sincere smiles. I have even been known to detect a proverbial “nose in the air.” The eyes alone just don’t do it.

Why should I, who go uncovered and with unfogged glasses, be denied equal footing with other human beings regarding facial response in our repartee?

Carol Grant Kitchener