For as long as I can remember, we have used the word “mosaic” to describe the way people can keep their cultural beliefs and traditions when they come to Canada to live.
This is in contrast to our neighbours to the south, who have been referred to as the “melting pot” – a place where you leave your culture at the door and become American.
However, I’ve been wondering if we still truly deserve the description we feel so strongly (and maybe, to be honest, a bit superior) about. Here are a few things that “make me go hmmmm”:
The Quebec judge’s refusal to hear a woman’s case because she was wearing the hijab. And the lack of repercussions.
The Federal Government wanting to challenge the Supreme Court’s decision overturning a ban on the wearing of the niqab for citizenship ceremonies.
And this week, Ontario MP Larry Miller’s words: “stay the hell where you came from.”
– all examples of Islamophobia, by the way.
Sigh.
Maybe the only difference between Canada and the USA is that they admit that they want people to assimilate, while we still hold firm to the illusion that we are a mosaic that welcomes all people as they are.
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copyright 2015 Annemarie Shrouder
Speaker and facilitator on issues of Diversity and Inclusion.
www.beeing.ca
www.annemarieshrouder.com
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