Shedding light on the darkness of racism
Re Racism is part of Canada’s character, Paradkar, May 10 Thank you for Shree Paradkar’s excellent work. There is nothing more antiseptic than the power of the sun, and bringing to light such horrible events is important to fighting racism.
We work daily with numerous newcomers and dear friends from Syria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt, Kenya and other troubled places. They enrich our lives, and bring so much vibrant colour to the tapestry of our community.
We are welcomed at the mosque and in homes like brothers and sisters. The love and tolerance of these new Canadians is astounding considering what so many have suffered. After the dreadful 2017 attack at a mosque in Quebec, they reacted with fear, disbelief and deep sadness, but never an expression of anger, which caused me to question my own anger about the event.
Thankfully, negative experiences for our newcomers are extremely rare, with most citizens of our community embracing them with equal love and affection. But we cannot kid ourselves that intolerance rooted in fear and ignorance exists, and your articles are so important to a healthy society, casting light in the corners and dispersing the darkness, in respect of both race and gender issues. Thank you again and keep shining the antiseptic light. Jeffrey D. Broadbent and Feifel Broadbent Gualazzi, Sault Ste. Marie I feel a need to thank Shree Paradkar. Her columns are sharp and pointed, but calm enough to ensure the discussion moves in the right direction. Canada only exists today because of its overtly racist past, but not enough people recognize this, let alone acknowledge it. Her articles are a breath of fresh air, despite their serious and sometimes melancholic nature. She makes a meaningful and significant contribution to conversations of national importance. Dylan Thiessen, MA student, University of Calgary Shree Paradkar claims that racism isn’t the whole of who we are, but is definitely part of our character, both systemically and individually. That is quite a conclusion to draw from a video of a woman’s alcohol-fuelled rant.
When illegal immigrants started pouring over the border from the U.S., local NGOs offered shelter, clothing, food and whatever other aid they needed to survive. We have integrated refugees from many different nations and cultures. Dozens of organizations stepped up to assist the 25,000 Syrian refugees brought here during late 2015 and early 2016.
Our society is imperfect, but Canada and Canadians are not defined by the intolerant minority that exists in any free democracy. Canadians are not segregated by race or colour. John Feldsted, Winnipeg