Picture
In the recent tidings of an intercultural clash occurring between two rival groups at a Sikh gurudwara in Brampton, Ontario, and the occurrence of kirpans being pulled out during the fight, has led some noted Sikh members of the provincial parliament to speak out against multiculturalism and the potentially toxic environment that it fosters. What is actually being fostered by the hasty and feckless judgements of these politicians are public outcries with about as much sound proof, rationality, and judgement behind them, as that which was present in the mind of whoever swung the first blow.

Unmindful be those who take a specific circumstance/ situation and associate it as the norm for an entire culture. Stating that all kirpans should be banned due to an incident such as the one in question, or stating that the niqab should be banned due to a previous related incident where it proved to be an inconvenience, is just about as smart as saying that the baseball bat, the beer bottle, and the electrical cord should be banned. They’ve all been used as weapons several times, so why not?

“The political correctness” of multiculturalism apparently allows, “extremists the space to nurture old grudges brought from their homelands” (Dosanjh, 2010). If this were the case, with Toronto being a leading example of multiculturalism around the world, why isn’t the city plagued with socially and politically crippling levels of extremism? And if the allowance of multiculturalism really were the driving force behind the acquisition and nurturing of past grudges, then what would be the reason behind the British and the French packing up their grudges against one another and bringing them here to Canada years ago? One can be pretty sure that multiculturalism didn’t exist then. So then what?

Politicians, when attacking the concept of multiculturalism, must also be aware that they are concurrently attacking its mother: The Charter of Rights. And like a person with their deep-rooted culture, a mother with her child, is not willing to part that easily. So if these politicians are willing to change the basic foundation upon which this country was built upon, they better know what they’re getting themselves into… because when that day arrives, kirpans and niqabs are going to be the least of their worries when they see what comes knocking at their door.
Picture
 


Comments

Khaleeq

Sat, 01 May 2010 10:42:30 pm

Powerful article,good job.
In the case of multiculturalism being blamed for the open actions of "extremists", it seems to me that Dosanjh is trying to find a scapegoat for the problems rather than stating a clear thought out reason.
Personally I think that the problem shouldn't be blamed on a large concept, I believe the problems that are present and the negative events that do occur are the fault of single beings, or small groups of people who choose to partake in such actions, not on objects like the kirpan or the niqab or such large concepts like multiculturalism.

Anyway good article, you and the rest of the team are doing a fine job. Pictures with a wide range of colours carry a greater attraction.

 



Leave a Reply