They call it the War on Christmas, but in reality it is just an opportunity for a few people to get apoplectic, or is it apocalyptic, about the fact that some people acknowledge that many holidays are celebrated at this time of year. Proponents of the theory like to claim
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THE FIFTH COLUMN: Christmas – Whose Holiday is it Anyway
It is time for the annual discussions about the “War on Christmas” and putting “Christ Back in Christmas”, but whose holiday is it anyway. The Christians claim it as theirs because, well, it has “Christ” in the name and celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. But yet they chose the
Continue reading52 Ideas: Maxime Bernier should walk in other people’s shoes before he accuses anyone of racism
In the 1970s, Lincoln Alexander fought the caucus of the Progressive Conservative Party. Mr. Alexander fought them because as a Black man, he wanted to support anti-hate speech legislation. His party, the Progressive Conservative Party, didn’t like the legislation because they felt it would curtain both the concept of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: UPDATED: What The Racists Ignore
I realize that it is essentially pointless to try to argue against those Canadians who harbour fear or hatred of ‘the other.’ The latest iteration of that debased mental and moral condition is, of course, reflected in demonstrations and hate crimes against the Muslim community, with some pretty vile declarations
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: What The Racists Ignore
I realize that it is essentially pointless to try to argue against those Canadians who harbour fear or hatred of ‘the other.’ The latest iteration of that debased mental and moral condition is, of course, reflected in demonstrations and hate crimes against the Muslim community, with some pretty vile declarations
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- Mark Karlin interviews Richard Wolff about the relationship between unfettered capitalism and poverty:How is poverty an inevitable by-product of capitalism? Doesn’t this make all these charitable drives “to …
Continue readingTerahertz: Multiculturalism, interculturalism and secularism
I want to promise this won’t become a habit but sometimes it seems easier to just Tweet a bunch of random thoughts about an issue that I can collate and publish as a Storify. So here’s my latest. [View the story "Multiculturalism, interculturalism and Secularism" on Storify]
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: In Vancouver, Canada’s first annual Charter of Rights and Freedoms march
Canada’s first annual Rights and Freedoms March, a celebration of the anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, launches in Vancouver on April 17. The post In Vancouver, Canada’s first annual Charter of Rights and Freedoms march appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: John McCallum visits Brantford-Brant to talk immigration/cultural issues
This past Thursday evening, John McCallum, Liberal MP from Markham-Unionville and the LPC’s critic for Immigration/Multiculturalism/ Seniors visited Brantford-Brant to meet with Liberal candidate Danielle Takacs and leaders of Brantford-Brant’s various cultural communities. Mr. McCallum is the 4th Liberal MP to visit Brantford-Brant in the span of less than 3
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Identifying the adversary
Not surprisingly, Charles Taylor’s keynote address and discussion on political inclusion has neatly highlighted both the importance of finding commonalities at the personal level, and the dangers of government fomenting prejudice toward minority groups. But I’d think it’s worth drawing a distinction between the problems being addressed at the personal
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On dividing lines
For the most part, Joan Bryden’s report signals that there isn’t much controversy left arising out of Alexandre Boulerice’s comments about niqabs in the civil service. But it’s worth asking whether the trial balloon floated by Boulerice serves any purpose whatsoever: Martin added that he has no problem with Boulerice’s
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: The DWR Sunday Religious Disservice – The Judge and the Hijab
I’m always impressed with La Belle Province and her ability to serve up controversy. Recently a judge in Quebec decided that a hijab was considered not to be suitable attire for her courtroom and dismissed a case when the litigant refused to comply with her request. The judge’s words courtesy
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: I Believe In Multiculturalism But…
As far as I’m concerned, this goes far beyond anything that most people would deem reasonable accommodation: Recommend this Post
Continue readingLeDaro: Harper’s Conservatives Further Damaging Canada
Are Harper’s CONs completely out of touch? Don’t they realize this is a multicultural country? Harper’s CONs seem to have no use for Muslims, given statements by Harper’s Chief of Communications towards a leading Canadian Muslim group, the National Council of Canadian Muslims, deriding them as a group with “terrorist”
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Dean Baker discusses the strong relationship between union organization and the elimination of poverty: A simple regression shows that a 10 percentage point increase in the percentage of workers covered by a union contract is associated with a 0.7 percentage point drop in
Continue readingMusings on Canadian Politics: Soccer, Sikhs and multiculturalism in Quebec
Quebec’s Soccer Federation is going into hiding. The names and contact information of its board of directors have been pulled from the federation’s website. They’re refusing to talk to the media. Are they being accused of embezzlement? Did they steal children’s money? No, they’re refusing to allow Sikh kids to
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: The Impacts of the Neighbourhood Immigrant Settlement Worker In Canada
She Fixes So Many Problems By: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: The Neighbourhood Immigrant Settlement Worker (NISW) is one of the programs established by the Province of Manitoba to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada. The program is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Manitoba Immigration and Multiculturalism,
Continue readingMelissa Fong: This is what is wrong with Liberals: Christy Clark and vain Multiculturalism policy
I tend to stay away from commenting on Provincial politics because I don’t feel too well-versed in it. However, I AM well versed in racism and the ways in which White supremacy is very relevant to Canadian politics. I can’t help myself… BC Premier Christy Clark is barely out of
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Black hockey players, aboriginals, gays nixed from Canada’s new bills
“The Bank of Canada considered celebrating gay marriages, black hockey players, and turban-wearing RCMP officers on its new plastic bank notes” By Obert Madondo | The Canadian Progressive, Feb. 11, 2013: And so the Harper Conservative-inspired whitewashing of Canada continues. Last summer, we learned that the Bank of Canada had nixed the image of
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: An Atheist Celebrates a Secular Christmas in a Multicultural Canada
So why would a non-Christian celebrate Christmas. Well first of all from a religious point of view Jesus Christ is not just the Christian Messiah but also considered to be an important prophet amongst both Muslims and Jews so there is no reason they cannot celebrate his birth, while not
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