History has taught us that when minorities feel that they are not being heard, or that their rights are being surpressed, they fight back, and usually with guns. Luckily, in our democracy, they fight back with words and charters reminding us of common values.
When Quebec took a strong stand on the state of their language, and introduced Bill 101, despite some disgruntled people, overall it raised the status of French, and the number of people speaking it in their province. For those who did not agree, they said bye-bye and moved away. They brought their families and their brains to neighbouring provinces, and francophone communities grew, and so did quality French education in those provinces. In a way, Quebec helped many of us in other parts of the country become bilingual, and for that I need to thank them.
Thirty-six years later, in 2013, the minority is feeling it needs to make changes and take control of its identity again, and passes the Charter of Quebec Values. It raises issues that most Canadians would rather not discuss. My guess is that many Canadians are having problems with multiculturalism these days, and my guess is that we would prefer not to talk about it. Frankly, as a Canadian, I am embarassed that such a charter would even be debated in any legislative assembly in this country.
Despite my anger, I hope that the conversation keeps going, because for it to stop means that we make our democracy weaker. Frank discussions can facilitate breaking down barriers and reducing stereotypes, with the objectives of accepting each other's differences, and the values underlying those differences.
I'll take words over guns any day.
Join me in the conversation. We need to remain integral to who we are as a nation.
When Quebec took a strong stand on the state of their language, and introduced Bill 101, despite some disgruntled people, overall it raised the status of French, and the number of people speaking it in their province. For those who did not agree, they said bye-bye and moved away. They brought their families and their brains to neighbouring provinces, and francophone communities grew, and so did quality French education in those provinces. In a way, Quebec helped many of us in other parts of the country become bilingual, and for that I need to thank them.
Thirty-six years later, in 2013, the minority is feeling it needs to make changes and take control of its identity again, and passes the Charter of Quebec Values. It raises issues that most Canadians would rather not discuss. My guess is that many Canadians are having problems with multiculturalism these days, and my guess is that we would prefer not to talk about it. Frankly, as a Canadian, I am embarassed that such a charter would even be debated in any legislative assembly in this country.
Despite my anger, I hope that the conversation keeps going, because for it to stop means that we make our democracy weaker. Frank discussions can facilitate breaking down barriers and reducing stereotypes, with the objectives of accepting each other's differences, and the values underlying those differences.
I'll take words over guns any day.
Join me in the conversation. We need to remain integral to who we are as a nation.