Des Rosiers’ motion carries wrong name

Re Queen’s Park unites for anti-Islamophobia motion, Feb. 24 MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers offers a comprehensive list ranging from hatred, prejudice, intolerance, racism and more. Phobia is an extreme, irrational fear or aversion toward something. Fear or aversion does not include violent acts, committing hate crimes, personal attacks, destruction of property, arson, murder, wilful breaking of the laws of our land.

These actions do not stem from fear but from a need to destroy, harm, intimidate or worse.It is a positive sign that Queen’s Park can show unified action. But I wonder if phobia is the best choice of descriptor? Does the word Islam accurately describe the hatred and violence currently making news? Hatred toward our Jewish communities or Canada’s native nations, for example?

Unity at Queen’s Park is almost as rare as shorts and runners in February.

Why not make the most of this enlightened moment by creating a moniker that truly describes what MPP Des Rosiers is acting upon — physical, verbal, threatening and illegal demonstrations of hatred and intolerance. Let’s call it what it really is. Don Graves, Burlington