Nous, Them and Mailloux
Re: “Marois’s decision to stand by Mailloux is shameful” (Editorial, March 18)
The Gazette is absolutely right to denounce Pauline Marois’s decision to stand by Louise Mailloux, and all the more so for the fact that the latter is actually a CEGEP professor and as such has not simply misspoken. Her thoughts on religion in general and Judaism in particular seem to be the product of well-matured reflection and subsequent conclusions.
The real question resides, though, in why Marois chose, 48 hours earlier, to dump her candidate Jean Carrière for what seems like poor taste or poor judgment. He posted a feminist ad on his Facebook page with the slogan “f--k Islam” and a woman striking a sexy pose. Stupid? Sure. Indicative of a deep-rooted, well-thought-out hatred of Muslims? Doubtful.
Nevertheless, Carrière, a black man, is unceremoniously and precipitously dumped from the party, whereas the “Janette de souche” Mailloux remains firmly entrenched in her candidacy, her words and actions defended by her leader.
Herein lies the real injustice in this province. It seems there are two classes of citizens around here: Them and Nous. The Them can never belong to the Nous, no matter how much they try.
I believe that focusing on the antiSemitic segment of Mailloux’s comments misses a golden opportunity to denounce the broader injustice in Quebec: the Parti Québécois’s continued use of xenophobia to further its political agenda.
It seems that only the total rejection of any religion, the renunciation of everything Canadian (except Tim Hortons), blind allegiance to separation and a lineage that can be traced back to Jacques Cartier will allow you into the Nous.
Well, count me out. I think I’ll stick with the Them. I love falafel, latkes, pasta, naan, won tons, perogies, ingera wot, patties and tacos, and I especially love the people who brought them here. They are working hard every day to make a home in Quebec, and they have been rebuked and shunned not by the average Québécois, but by the very institution — government — that’s supposed to help them integrate. Charles Ghorayeb
Châteauguay
I enjoyed the editorial, as well as Pascal’s cartoon portraying Pauline Marois upset at the sight of a masked surgeon.
Marois should realize that being a highprofile feminist and an ardent proponent of the values charter does not trump Louise Mailloux’s vitriolic ranting. What a sincere apology Mailloux proffered! She’s sorry, did not intend to offend or hurt anyone, but she stands by her opinions.
I am a feminist. I am secular. I am appalled. With the support of candidates like this, the PQ has descended into desperate, dangerously cynical territory. I do not want people of this ilk representing me or my province’s face to the world, veiled or not.
Sandi Brown Côte-des-Neiges
Re: “Petition against candidate growing” (Gazette, March 18)
Everyone has freedom of speech, even Louise Mailloux, the PQ candidate in the riding of Gouin. Whatever happened to the noble words: “I may not believe in what you say, but I will defend your right to say it?” Robert O’Brien
Montreal
Re: “Jewish advocacy group rejects apology” (Gazette, March 17)
That Pauline Marois continues to support candidate Louise Mailloux speaks volumes. Should the party be successful in its apparent goal of driving all the Jews, Muslims and allophones from the province, PQ enthusiasts may well wonder who the next target will be once the dream of an all-French secular society turns into a social and economic nightmare.
Avi Benlolo President & CEO, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies
Toronto