This is a terrible week in Ontario, as we deal with the reality of a terrorist attack in London, along with more info regarding our history with residential schools. A family was targeted in an attack, seemingly only for being Muslim. There is absolutely shameful, and has no place in Canada. And yet, it happened regardless, seemingly fueled by some combination of anti-Asian racism, Islamophobia, and perhaps white supremacy – although details remain sketchy and unclear at this time.
Canada has, I believe, a reputation for being a safe and welcoming place. However, that has not always been our history (with First Nations, newcomers and others), and it is not always our present. That must be acknowledged, and we must work hard to face our problems, and do better. I will not, in any way, attempt to speak for the Muslim community, or pretend that I understand the pain and grief that they are going through at this stage. It is not my place to take others’ voice away – only to draw attention to what is going on, and offer ideas to consider as we, collectively, try to move forward to a more positive place.
“Muslims in Canada have become all too familiar with the violence of Islamophobia,” Mustafa Farooq, the council’s chief executive, said in a statement. “But this loss of a family, the loss of a child in our community because of Islamophobia — this is a sorrow that will run deep for a long time. But let that sorrow be the ground where we stand for justice, and stand for change.”
Washington Post
In brief, here are a few important things to consider, among many others, as we attempt to create a better future than the present we currently have:
- There is absolutely no place for white supremacy, racism, discrimination or anything else in Canada, or anywhere else. It still happens, and we all have an obligation to do better than claim “I’m not a racist.” Those of us that are white and/or privileged and/or male have an even greater responsibility – both to listen more to under-represented voices, as well as to use our position to speak truth to power, and ensure that change happens.
- The perpetuation of all types of negatively (from micro-aggressions to direct attacks) – whether grounded in faith/religion, tradition, skin colour, national identity or anything else – must end. That includes everything – whether it is an attack based on ethnicity, skin colour, what one is wearing (or not wearing), one’s religious identity, gender and sexuality identity or anything else.
- Many politicians, faith leaders and others are actively working to end systemic racism and discrimination, and that should be applauded. Others, however, are still promoting a “me first” world-view, in which others are attacked as an “easy way to get votes” instead of doing the hard work of building a more inclusive world. They must be held accountable, and absolutely not rewarded with votes, big salaries, or other encouragement.
- If our faith/faith leaders, community, politicians, internet circles, or anyone else, is telling us that others are “wrong” or “bad” for their faith, what they wear (or don’t wear), who they love, their gender identity, or anything else, we must reinterpret our faith, change the tone of our community and our piolitics, find better resources on the internet. If a faith group (or others), refuses to let go of hatred for and rejection of others (for any reason), find a more inclusive and welcoming community. We must have zero tolerance for hatred and discrimination, of any kind.
These attacks on others, for basic, protected characteristics (faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or anything else), must end. It’s time to go beyond being nice, passive Canadians, and stick our necks out (peacefully, of course), to support our neighbours, and build the Canada, in reality, as perfectly ideal as we imagine it to be.
More details (among the countless pages that have been already written on the internet, too many to list here):
- Muslim family ID’d in fatal truck attack in London, Ont., known for commitment to community – CBC
- ‘This was a terrorist attack’: Trudeau condemns London hit-and-run that left four Muslim family members dead CBC
- Four Muslim family members in Canada killed in ‘targeted’ attack, police say WP
