This past week I hard-pressed to find a menorah anywhere. Christmas trees, yes. But a menorah? I live in a condo, and the Christmas tree went up in the lobby on Dec. 7. When I called the management office to find out if a menorah was going to appear I was told no, and that I’d have to write a letter … [Continue reading] Happy Holidays (plural)
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What we swear on…?
Three things stand out for me in this clip from Tuesday night’s coverage of the Alabama Senate race in the USA where Doug Jones won. On Tuesday night, following the US election where Doug Jones won, Jake Tapper speaks with one of Roy Moore's spokespeople who doesn't think Muslims should be … [Continue reading] What we swear on…?
No More Princes…?
Soon after the news of the engagement between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke, my 5-year old daughter and I were in the store. I showed her the cover of the magazine. “Look!” I said. “That woman will be a princess.” Princesses can be brown too! Believe me, it’s not because I want her to … [Continue reading] No More Princes…?
Seeing More About the Niqab
How many of you know a Niqabi woman? Did you know that is what a woman who wears a niqab might call herself? I didn't. How many of you have spoken to a Niqabi woman? I haven't. Not because I don’t want to, but because the opportunity has not presented itself. Interesting, right? Especially given … [Continue reading] Seeing More About the Niqab
Freedom of Speech – for whom exactly?
This week I’m thinking again about freedom of speech – and more specifically, who is really afforded this right and who is not? It’s prompted by disciplinary action taken against Masuma Khan by Dalhousie University (now retracted). Ms Khan posted a Facebook comment in response to reactions to … [Continue reading] Freedom of Speech – for whom exactly?
The Niqab and Bill 62
It’s an interesting thing that Quebec has done with Bill 62: they haven’t used the word Muslim or niqab in their Bill, but they have still managed to target Muslim women. Sneaky. And, in my opinion, sinister. There has been a statement to attempt to defend the universalism of the Bill. … [Continue reading] The Niqab and Bill 62
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 4
For the last installment of the series, I have two more common examples of privilege to share. Both are based specifically on identities: race and gender. The first example is thanks to Hadiya Roderique, who wrote an amazing article for the Globe and Mail last weekend entitled Black on Bay … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 4
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 3
Last week we explored taking up space. This week we’ll explore the ways we use our privilege to discount others (and impose our needs on them). I was recently facilitating a workshop. Right away, during the introduction, one of the participants indicated that he was aware of his privileges … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 3
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 2
I’m sure you’ve been in situations like this – the ones where someone is talking way more than anyone else in the group. Maybe you were at a party, maybe it’s a group of friends, or perhaps it happens at work. Share the Air In workshops, we always have an agreement about sharing the air. I explain … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 2
What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 1
I’m hearing Tina Turner in my head as I start this blog post. “What’s love got to do with it…” Sing it, Tina! I’m starting a series on privilege. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be examining some of the ways it shows up in our lives. At the end of the series, we’ll have an opportunity to talk about … [Continue reading] What’s Privilege got to do with it? – Part 1