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Intolerance

post #1 of 16
4/6/05 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 
I was just watching our local news, and I am sorry I cannot find a link, most news here never has a link unless Calgary picks it up... If they do I will post that here.

A bit of background~
I live in a small city of about 60,000 whose citizens are predominently white.
"Shootings" are unheard of here, maybe 1 every couple of years. Maybe I should add that we have the lovely title of "Senior Citizen Capital of Canada" That could explain the VERY low crime rate... Anyway...

Today someone (unknown) shot at the new home of an Asian couple 9 times and also threw a brick (a brick?!?!?!) through the front window with a note that basically stated, "Go back to your own country... Let this be a warning to all others that shouldn't be here"

That shouldn't be here? So I guess I shouldn't be here. I was born in Canada as were my parents but my Granparents weren't and my Mother has dual citizen ship with Italy.

Now our police are saying its open and shut. There is no evidence (I find that hard to believe) and that unless it happens again it should be, from the mouth of our head of police, "A NON-Story" Excuse me?!?!?! The sad thing is, most here will agree... I will not be surprised if in tomorrows paper, this will get 3rd page at best

I am ANGRY! To say the least!


My whole point in telling you this?

Am I the only one who is sick of any of the (fill in the blank) -isms?

This has just got to end!!!
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post #2 of 16
4/7/05 at 4:11am
Ashley,

How sad. The human race has made some good strides, but has a long way to go. Hopefully the people in your town will be vocal about it and take action - sending the message that this type of behavior is not welcome in your town.
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post #3 of 16
4/7/05 at 4:16am
This makes me sad.
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post #4 of 16
4/7/05 at 7:54am
If I am not wrong there is currently a case pending in the Canadian Supreme Court with regards to hate crime.

When such hate crimes occur especially in a small city, it would do wonders if someone could organise a march in protest of the actions and to support the fellow neighbor's right to live life without fear. There a good opportunity for one to organise not just because of that incident but also because of the focus on the issue of hate crime on the national level due to the current pending case. Or instead of a march, try to get people to drop some flowers off at the place of the incident with words of support. I am sure you can contact the various Canadian organisations that fight against hate crime and discrimination

If the person is caught then obviously a prosecution with regards to hate crime should be brought. One potential problem is that the previous big hate crime case in Canada, set quite a high level of requirements before a successful prosecution for hate crime is possible.
http://www.lexum.umontreal.ca/csc-sc...scr3_0697.html
That case related to a teacher in Alberta who "taught" his students anti-Semitic propaganda and expected the students to produce it in exams.
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post #5 of 16
4/7/05 at 8:44am
I can see why the police and others might want to play it down to prevent copycat crimes. But that does not excuse it. One hting I hope is that someone, somewhere in your town, is organising something nice to do for the poor people who were the victims - it is only by showing solidarity on a personal level that people will understand that this is not acceptable.
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post #6 of 16
4/7/05 at 8:55am
don't get all riled up about this. sad truth is, it's probably a drunk or somebody who was not in their 'right mind' at the time, or maybe a rowdy teenager. they don't mean any harm, the only and main purpose to is to scare you, that's it.

If you feel threatened, stay active, you can call newspapers, local police to voice your opinion
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post #7 of 16
4/7/05 at 12:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RarePuss
don't get all riled up about this. sad truth is, it's probably a drunk or somebody who was not in their 'right mind' at the time, or maybe a rowdy teenager. they don't mean any harm, the only and main purpose to is to scare you, that's it.

If you feel threatened, stay active, you can call newspapers, local police to voice your opinion
Not trying to sound mean , but of COURSE they meant harm- they shot bullets (which are LETHAL) into an occupied home. That is attempted murder AND a hate crime.
Ash, I'm with you- more attention needs to be given to that story. How horrible that it is being brushed under the rug. Sounds like Canada could do with a bit more diversity in order for people to change their narrow minds!!!
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post #8 of 16
4/7/05 at 12:34pm
I completely agree. It's so upsetting when these crimes are underplayed in the media, let alone by the police!!!! I feel terrible for this poor couple. What a horrible welcome to a new house! It's disgusting how people think they can justify such behaviour because of a stupid, insignificant difference like race.
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post #9 of 16
4/7/05 at 3:12pm
I definately think that showing support for the family by leaving flowers or a note saying that you believe what was done is wrong and would like to work to keep it from happening again is a start. I can imagine this family is feeling very threatened and isolated and the community isn't doing anything to help this. Is there an organization in Canana like the Southern Poverty Law Center? Maybe some sort of national or local organization can provide suggestions and support. I do think it's important to make a community stand against racism, otherwise who knows what may come next.
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post #10 of 16
4/7/05 at 4:41pm
That's terrible...hopefully those responsible will be found and prosecuted. I never have understood people who heate others just becuase they look or sound different.

Some people aren't worth their constituent molecules....
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post #11 of 16
4/7/05 at 4:52pm
Obviously, this is my opinion but I truly feel that the people who DON'T believe that hate crimes exist, are white, male and straight. Please note, I do not mean all white straight males...but certainly a good portion of them.Anyone remember this...

In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up.
-Pastor Martin Niemoeller
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post #12 of 16
4/7/05 at 5:05pm
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post #13 of 16
4/8/05 at 2:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mom of Franz
Obviously, this is my opinion but I truly feel that the people who DON'T believe that hate crimes exist, are white, male and straight. Please note, I do not mean all white straight males...but certainly a good portion of them.Anyone remember this...

In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak up.
-Pastor Martin Niemoeller
Mom of Franz,

VERY WELL SAID! Thank you for that quote!

I agree with the statement about the white males. Sadly it seems to be true. Like you said, not all but more than there should be~

And like I thought- NOTHING! I went over today's and yesterday's paper inch by inch and not a thing was mentioned. They said it on the news on the radio, just saying that they don't think anyone will be charged

Though, and I have to say Im proud of my little city for this, all of a sudden there are posters, signs, things in windows saying along the lines of "Medicine Hat does not want Hate here!"
Its a little thing I know, but these are individuals doing it out of thier own hearts.

A local window company has replaced the windows of the Asian couple's home for free, and the couple said they are staying, that they won't be scared away.

Supposedly there are petitions going around for the government to get stricter laws. I haven't seen one myself yet, but I will sign it if I do.
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post #14 of 16
4/8/05 at 2:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ash_bct
Mom of Franz,

VERY WELL SAID! Thank you for that quote!

I agree with the statement about the white males. Sadly it seems to be true. Like you said, not all but more than there should be~

And like I thought- NOTHING! I went over today's and yesterday's paper inch by inch and not a thing was mentioned. They said it on the news on the radio, just saying that they don't think anyone will be charged

Though, and I have to say Im proud of my little city for this, all of a sudden there are posters, signs, things in windows saying along the lines of "Medicine Hat does not want Hate here!"
Its a little thing I know, but these are individuals doing it out of thier own hearts.

A local window company has replaced the windows of the Asian couple's home for free, and the couple said they are staying, that they won't be scared away.

Supposedly there are petitions going around for the government to get stricter laws. I haven't seen one myself yet, but I will sign it if I do.
Ashley, It is wonderful to see people in your town getting together on this. It gives you real faith in the human race!
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post #15 of 16
4/8/05 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ash_bct
...Though, and I have to say Im proud of my little city for this, all of a sudden there are posters, signs, things in windows saying along the lines of "Medicine Hat does not want Hate here!"
Its a little thing I know, but these are individuals doing it out of thier own hearts.
Not so little, IMO. When people make that effort on their own it grows.

Quote:
A local window company has replaced the windows of the Asian couple's home for free, and the couple said they are staying, that they won't be scared away. ...
That's the spirit!

And good on the glass company, too, for pitching in that way!
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post #16 of 16
4/9/05 at 4:30am
It is a shame that white people are so hateful. I know here in the USA, there are alot of good people, but alot of people are so hateful it is sad.
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