Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Canadian Multiculturalism- sucking and blowing at the same time.

It’s World Cup time, and one can’t help but think about multiculturalism. We Canadians love to pride ourselves on our multicultural mosaic. Here in Toronto, we have taken to thinking of ourselves as Canada’s multicultural mecca. In many ways, World Cup soccer can be understood as a metaphor for Canadian multiculturalism; dozens of different cultures coming together, tolerant of each other’s differences, exhibiting cosmopolitan sportsman-like behaviour as fans toot their horns and wave their flags in appreciation.

The thing is, we Canadians haven’t been doing so well in the multicultural department of late. Subsequent to the arrests of 17 alleged Muslim terror suspects, our politicians and pundits have been preoccupied with the task of trying to understand what motivated a group of Canadians to do such a thing. Angry Canadians are demanding to know how and why fundamentalist and extremist attitudes have taken root in our society. Funny thing is, the Canadian Islamic Congress has been trying to determine the same thing; three years ago they requested (and were denied) federal funding to answer this very same question. It seems that while we demand that our Canadian multicultural values be adhered to, we don’t care to support the kind of research that might offer insight into why some groups reject this most treasured Canadian value. For all the hot air being spent condemning the alleged terror plot (and the communities who supposedly allow such extremism to foster), the government’s decision not to support the Muslim community’s research proposal seems all the more ironic. As the great philosopher Bart Simpson remarked, “I didn’t think it was possible for something to suck and blow at the same time”.

Which brings me back to soccer and our preoccupation with (the illusion of?) our Canadian multicultural paradise. I live in little Portugal, and it seems that amidst all the jovial celebrations after Sunday’s game (the horns were honking for 6 hours), 30 to 40 of these happy Canadian Portugal fans broke into a massive fight and several people were stabbed.

If indeed World Cup soccer stands as a metaphor for multiculturalism, perhaps Canada is the soccer hooligan. Posted by Picasa

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Elmasry is trying to place the blame elsewhere. He claims that:

"The Canadian Muslim community is law-abiding and loyal, but we have been up front in recognizing that no group is without problems"

Problems? Schoolyard bullying is a problem. Chronic drug use is a problem. Allegedly planning to slaughter hundreds of people and cut off the head of the elected leader of this country is not a problem. It's a premeditated attack on our countries values. Our choice of allies, our history, our multiculturalism. Unthinkable mass murder.

So Emma, a lack of research funding is to blame for a groups decision to carry out mass murder? Perhaps these individuals should be looking at themselves before blaming others.

I'm particularly skeptical of a statement like this coming from Elmasry, and the CIC in general. Canadian Islamic Congress spokesperson Dr. Mohamed Elmasry is also noted for saying on Canadian television that all Israelis are legitimate targets for suicide bombers. I can see the direction this line of thought is heading, and i'm starting to feel unsafe.

I wonder whether your thoughts would have changed if they succeeded in their plot.

14 June, 2006  
Blogger Emma Jo Aiken-Klar, PhD said...

dear "two down, one to go",
i don't agree that elmasry is trying to place the blame elswhere. the request for funding demonstrates his understanding that the muslim community needs to take some action towards understanding how and why extremism is fostered.

and no, lack of research funding is certainly not responsible for causing the alleged terrorist plot. (if you got that from my post, you got it wrong). my point is that demanding adherence to multicultural values while at the same time denying funding for research into multiculturalism is a contradictory act. (somewhat akin to trying to blow and suck at the same time)

14 June, 2006  
Blogger Charlie Tee said...

I think that in general people need to clean up under their own chairs, before realizing the dirt under others.
Meaning that everyone everywhere needs to see that the problems plaguing all of our societies come about because we refuse to step back and take stock in the people who are trying to live lives in peace.
I'm Muslim, but I don't agree with fanaticism of any kind.
I could point fingers at other religions and say that they're just as bad, but I don't because I'm trying to change the vibe in my own community by being the type of example that causes people to see the good in us.
I'm married to a women who is Jewish, she's also White, and I think that we have been a good example that exemplifies how people can work together.
I also play in a band which is composed of a Baptist, a Methodist, a Jewish man, and me, and we've made strong forays at changing many peoples vibes. We've done this mainly through Alchemy, and so far it seems to work, because many of our fans have begun to get into dialogues with us...stepping back.
Multiculturalism can work, we just need to do one at a time.
Stop look and listen is the way to go.

20 June, 2006  

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