Well, what a perfect way to start a weekend! It seems that there is a lot of press generating about whether or not Cnaadians are actually racist because of points being raised about why the government allowed the MV Sun Sea to dock with a bunch of Tamil migrants from Sri Lanka. To answer that question simply, I would suggest that it's no.
The recent arrival of the MV Sun Sea filled with 500 or so Tamil migrants has created quite a stir in the peaceful Canadian summer. What seems to be a concern to some is that a seemingly majority of Canadians' were displeased with the government's response to the arrival of this ship and how these Tamil refugees were able to go out into Canadian society.
I don't believe Canadians are racist for demanding a call for the ship to be sent back. The problem is, when it arrives, they have to be unloaded because of Canadian laws. The main concerns, I believe, on most Canadians' minds is the fact that these refugees get to jump the line to come to Canada and the fact that there may be terrorists aboard.
Regarding the fact that these Tamil migrants get the opportunity to jump the line, they are leaving a country which just finished combating a civil war. In addtion, when one considers the fact that most of these migrants paid a sum as high as $50,000 to get to Canada, they must have felt, deep down, that they were leaving the closest thing to hell. That can be debated (on whether or not the Sri Lankan government are "butchers") but if one considers that price tag, it becomes clear that they left thinking that arriving in Canada was going to be nothing short of a miracle.
Although this blog entry may have a different ring than what was heard in an earlier entry which was written this week, however, I would have to say that I slightly reconsidered my stance by examining more thoroughly the circumstances and the situation in which these migrants find themselves.
Regarding the terrorist threat, I believe every Canadian has every right to be wary. As I did mention in this week's blog entry regarding the subject, members of the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil-Eelam, a group identified as a terrorist group, are a significant risk if we allow some to establish themselves in Canada and potentially continue to fund the group. We saw what a peaceful Tamil protest (despite Tamil Tiger flags waving everywhere) can cause in Canada (disruption of major highways and roads, damage to public and private property, etc.), I wouldn't want to see what a violent protest or terrorist act could cause.
To conclude, I would like to say that we, as Canadians, can look back at our history and realize that we have turned back boats in the past which, a majority can agree, was a bad idea (e.g. MS St. Louis). I just think we still have to keep our guard up. So, in general, are Canadians racist? Absolutely not. Despite the boat arriving and grievances being raised by many Canadians across the board, the MV Sun Sea docked and unloaded these Tamils and they are now on their way to, hopefully, become very productive Canadians.
Canadians are not racist, we just need a better plan to discourage boat loads of refugees from coming to our shores. We also need an acceptable way of processing them, that is secure and humane. Maybe the Island refugee camp idea will be suffice.
ReplyDeleteCalling people racist is the quickest way to shut down dissent, debate and action.
ReplyDeleteBut I ask you, is it not time to admit that a little healthy racism is necessary to protect the Judaeo Christian nature of Western Society?
Kursk, people have been shamed, tuttuted and ridiculed for even attempting to protect our Judeo-Christian tradition for the last 40 years. You need a mighty big pair to stand up and publicly defend those values. As you state, merely accusing someone of racism shuts down the debate. I don't even think saying a majority of people in this country come from a certain religious tradition, respect rule of law, have a history, traditions, values and habits and like it that way and wish newcomers accepted and adapted to this reality is racist. I think it is our right. Moral and cultural equivalency is a lie. Some cultures and moral traditions are better than others.
ReplyDelete