Everyone poured their morning coffee? It’s time to sit back and perhaps become a little uncomfortable as we confront the issue of systemic racism. We hear some statements where people don’t even equate their words as being offensive. No it is not meant to be, let us first examine a few things and then just maybe we can all think of a solution to some of them.
Ever heard “I never did any of the nasty things that were done so why should it concern me?”
You were not here but the entire society benefited from, was predicated on the disgraceful behavior of those who came and took what they wanted. We can’t say the land didn’t belong to anyone either. Think of it this way, the wilderness was a supermarket, it was a clothing store, it was an energy source for water and heat. The land base belonged to various tribes by virtue of societies.
The European Migrants came and over ran the land, changed the laws for their benefit and brushed the inhabitants aside. The next step in Canada was cultural genocide through the residential schools. The rightful owners of the land were put on Reserves often on the land of least quality. Even today the end has not come. Corporations feel they should be able to cross the lands in question. The second problem is some of these lands are where the resources are.
A friend of mine summed it up in a way that made me stop and think when he said “It’s like a pimp saying he never had anything to do with prostitution. Maybe he didn’t engage in the wrong doing directly but he did benefit from it.”
We have a litany of bad behavior, the Chinese exclusion act the purpose to deny people citizenship. The inhumane treatment of the first Indo-Canadians who tried to make Canada home.
The truth is we have statues depicting greatness. The problem does not belong to you and I alone. Our institutions of society, from church to governments fed us as skewed view of the truth. Yes, Sir John A was the father of Canada and forged our place in the world. He also gave license to some very corrupt people to build the national railway. At his feet we also lay the shame of the residential school system. There are a host of bad actors that got themselves a name plaque or statue. The question is not, should they have the honor, or a statue.
The question is, how do we tell the whole truth in our school system? How do we make all those living in today’s Canada aware of the truth about the characters in our nations historical binders?
We must all ask those hard questions and acknowledge these things were done. Ask ourselves how it is that we are silent or in a few words brush off what was done while at the same time knowing full well we would be denouncing such acts today.
No we should not rewrite history, we have already done that, what we need to do is write the truth. As for the statues and monuments we should debate their fate. They may in the end serve an educational purpose.
Fred Steele
john young says
it is very easy to look back and criticise the the past from our 21st century social standards but our ancestors actions must be judged by the standards of the time when they were made, not to make an excuse for the actions but to understand the why of the actions.
Mr steeles version of events has the benefit of hindsight and is acceptable by the socials mores of the early 21st century but would be seen as ridiculous (sp) at any other time.
Publisher: Red – do agree – but what I think Fred is really saying is – the history must be accurate and by that – I mean – the actions of the past have had some very negative results – but at the same time a class of people in Canada (white settlers and their heirs) have benefitted. They must be called to account and at the barest minimum accept some responsibility and I also mean the churches used as agents for the governments of the day.
Fred Steele says
My ancestors were among those who benefitted. The problem is not going back it’s acknowledging. What is wrong now was wrong then.
Fred Steele says
I agree that racism takes many forms. It is not just one sided. The point is regardless of background we should be aware of it acknowledge it and work to correct it. People should know their history. They should Lao expect to know the history they learn is honest
Pat Hampson says
Destruction of statues will eventually remove all visible evidence of our cruelty and destruction from the past but where do we stop? Images of the past are one method of reminding some of us that we still have a long way to go with regard to racial injustice, cruelty, etc. Destroying these reminders will merely serve to anger those who disagree with removal; it will do nothing to prevent attitudes. Those whose idealogy encompasses racial injustice will still attempt to indoctrinate their offspring and others to their way of thinking.
Religious persecution was rampant during the Crusades, the Infidel was to be destroyed and only the red Cross of St George was displayed as evidence of the Righteous path mandated by the Roman Catholic Church. Christianity was mandated by Roman Emperor Constantine who abandoned pagan beliefs and idolatry by following the teachings of St. Paul. Was his decision to mandate changing how Romans prayed and to which deity they must give their allegiance reason enough to be considered religious persecution by the Romans who worshipped several Gods? I imagine this created considerable unrest within the Roman Empire.
Henry the Eighth banned Catholicism because the Roman Catholic Church dictated banned his attempts to divorce a wife.
If we are to erase the past we must destroy all statues, paintings and literature starting with the first written records, statues and paintings. Only an attitude can be changed and the person who champions the Cause will be remembered with a statue, painting, or a book.
Carolyn Tipler says
Add to that 900+ Jews who were refused entry to Canada and had to return to Europe where many perished in camps. Unfortunately it is not just Canada it is all of the Commonwealth Countries as well as the Colonies of many other European countries where the native people were displaced and often mistreated and exploited. Colonisation was only ever good for the coloniser rarely for the colonisee. The truth needs to be taught so that generations to come get the true picture. Very heartening to hear the BC Minister of education ask that more history of Black people in BC be added to the curriculum by September of this year. The history of our indigenous people and their treatment is much more truthful now then it was when my daughters were in school – there is still more to do. Thanks again for yet another great Steele Report.
bob barker says
Ok, I had a coffee and read Fred. Then I needed a shot of something stronger. I tried mouthwash.
Fact: two big world storys – Covid not gone yet
Both Canadian and US police officers need sensitivity training. Because a person goes to a store for smokes or sits in his car drunk – are not good reasons to kill them.
Now back to Fred who must be running for something if not for Pope Fred the first.
Take the statue in Oliver of a man named Oliver who people in Oliver honour.
What do we know about him, his family, his views on “indigenous” people, persons of colour from India, Chinese, Germans, Italians, Doukabors, the Japanese…. all part of the great west coast BC history??
With a thorough investigation done maybe we should take it down. If every statute of every historical figure is taken down – we would be left with Jesus or some of the saints.
I agree with Fred – we cannot change history but we can be honest about it.
Is their racism in the world today. Yes – but it is not just white directed to non white. I do not point fingers ….
Folks we have to change – there is much to change but I really doubt we are close to a revolution. Take the USA – the dems are so much like the repubs – people are confused.
In Canada we have the Tories, Libs, socialists, greenies and separatists (yup) no matter what ya say – Quebec wants more or it will leave and then we in the ROC can get on with life.
Now back to the mouthwash
John Hack says
Great words, great work, great empathy, Good job, thank you.
Terry Beddome says
I admire your writing, Fred. Logical, truthful and thoughtful. You force us to look back, good or bad, and come to terms with our feelings. Hopefully we will make it right. Thank you and keep up the good work.
Robin Hopkins says
Well said Fred. This is fascism, whereby govts and corporations benefit financially by acts of division, persuading a majority of those in society that it is OK for them to benefit by sacrificing a minority group, who apparently have only themselves to blame for their disenfranchisement and are not victims. Time for us to realize and take responsibility for what is a systemic policy problem, and not use the poor of the world as scapegoats.