Canada’s Debate

I’ve always regarded the “Letters to the Editor” section of the newspaper (any newspaper) in much the same way that people look at car wrecks. Beyond the fact that the sub-human blithering frequently bolsters me when I begin to doubt my own meagre insights of the human condition, it is extremely enjoyable to watch the delicate high-wire act that people engage in to demonstrate their own rationalism, artfully rendering a given story in an entirely unrealistic manner so as to provide the foundation for what seems like a sensible argument. In fact, I can think of no better example than the letters I’m seeing in response to the “Native Day of Protest” issue which is making the rounds. Lets take a look at this gem from the Toronto Star:

The natives have every right to be upset about the repeated delays in settling their land claims. However, the legal system should not tolerate the repeated disruptions to highways and rail lines. If your average citizen decided to organize a blockade of a highway, or any road for that matter, would the police just stand by and let it happen? It’s time for the government to address the natives’ concerns, while at the same time arresting anyone who inconveniences the public with their illegal blockades.

What do you want to bet this guy throws out a parking ticket as soon as he finds it on his windshield, or “refuses to leave” after he receives sub-par service at a retail store? As a society on whole and as individuals we regularly inconvenience each other while attempting to satisfy ourselves; we double-park, cut in line, etc. It is easy to dismiss these actions because everyone does it, and our brain has a built in hypocrisy “bypass circuit.” However, blockades and occupations are generally only pursued by one group in Canada, natives… and it is easy to instead attack them for it; we do not inconvenience each other (or don’t perceive to)… they are inconveniencing us. Racism? I don’t know… but it’s pretty ridiculous.

All of which brings me back to the letter. The author suggests that First Nations protesters should be patient and work within the laws. These claims are not exactly new… Many of them are over a century old and almost all of them pre-date the writers of these letters. Anyone who has “asked to speak to a manager” after waiting on hold with Rogers or Bell for an hour would do well to consider what they would do if instead of telephone-service trouble that goes unresolved for several hours, someone took their home and didn’t give it back for 100 years. Would you be patient in that scenario? I doubt I would… So is this letter (and it’s ilk) then a rationalization for a subconsciously-held double standard? I don’t think so. No, it is quite simply a feeble effort by some poor schmuck (Marc Rodgers) to demonstrate his own superiority by providing a “rational” solution to an irrational problem.

Funny how everyone forgets that justice delayed is justice denied until they are amongst the aggrieved.