Don’t discard civility in push for change

Re: “Artists defend anti-police slogan in mural,” Aug. 28.

There is every reason to support any initiative that raises awareness of injustices done to Black and Indigenous peoples, and other people of colour. It is a sad and intolerable fact that racism still rears its ugly head the world over, including in our own city.

It is lamentable that people can be so quick to form naïve and destructive beliefs about entire groups of people and take action against them, such as stating publicly that “All cops are bastards,” painted in the form of an acronym into a city-sanctioned art display in Bastion Square.

The “artist” who felt the need to spread this brand of vitriol does not speak for me. It is true that there are police officers who should never have donned a uniform — I am reminded of the tragedy at Vancouver International Airport 13 years ago involving Robert Dziekanski, and of course the ugly spectacle just this summer of governmentsanctioned thugs assaulting peaceful protesters in Portland, Oregon, even as the protesters were taking a stand against systemic and institutionalized racism. The lamentable list goes on.

Every profession and cross-section of humanity harbours elements that erode the credibility and integrity of the groups they represent, including protesters, or indeed the hotheads and opportunists who act to discredit legitimate protest movements. We can’t afford to discard reason and civility as we strive to effect positive change.

David Masini Victoria