Copyright (c) 1997 - Ingrid A. Rimland
". . . the policy of the Government of Canada that all federal institutions shall ensure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity to . . . promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the ability of individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Canada;
(...) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the understanding of and respect for the diversity of the members of Canadian society; (and) generally,
carry on their activities in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada."
Need I point out that of course that includes the rights of Germans and German-Canadians, the third largest minority on Canada?
Furthermore, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act declares it to be the policy of the Government of Canada under s.3(1)(a) to:
(a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage;
(b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada's future;
(c) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation;
(d) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development;
(e) ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity;
(f) encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural character;
(g) promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins;
(h) foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures;
The purpose of the Act is set out in section 2 as follows:
(...) to extend the laws in Canada to give effect, within the purview of matters coming within the legislative authority of Parliament, to the principle that every individual should have an equal opportunity with other individuals to make for himself or herself the life that he or she is able and wishes to have, consistent with his or her duties and obligations as a member of society, without being hindered in or prevented from doing so by discriminatory practices based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, disability or conviction for an offence for which a pardon has been granted."
Well, we maintain that this is tailor-made for us. It fits the Germans and
German-Canadians to a "t" - especially the the ones, such as Ernst
Zundel, who have not had, so far, an opportunity to have their side be heard
in full as it pertains to recent history.
Toward that end, as you will remember, the Zundel-Haus has offered to participate
in B'nai Brith's upcoming symposium on "Hate on the Internet"
to help dispel a few misconceptions about the Zundelsite that hinder us
in our endeavors to have our side of the historical debate and issues be
heard.
A few days ago, I received a reply - not from "B'nai Brith", mind
you - but guess from whom: Annie Alpert, one of the Nizkorites.
Her e-mail is a masterpiece of erudition and cross-cultural good-will:
"Who (sic) are you kidding, Ingrid? -- You are such a famous speaker, yet you don't know that plenarary (sic) sessions panalists (sic) at academic symposiums are never reinbursed (sic) by the organizers of the affair. And GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES? Sheesh! If you want to be on a panel at an academic symposium, get your academic or professional sponsor to pay your expenses, or pay your own way, like the REST of us do.
If you are INVITED to be a speaker, (which you were not) you may get a stipend, but in this case, Zundel offered his services to present a panel. YOU were not invited -- you're just a volunteer, girl."
To which I am compelled to point out:
1. B'nai Brith is a murky, heavily government-supported non-profit lobby outfit and hardly an 'academic institution' -
2. A one-sided hate fest put on by the Tribe hardly qualifies as an "academic symposium", although we are willing to turn it into one with our constructive presence so as to advance the worthy cause of fair and equitable multicultural dialogue -
3. Academic institutions as a rule do not have to pay presenters, fueled as the latter are by the "publish or perish" dictum. Academic presenters have no choice but to participate in plenary sessions for free. Non-profits, on the other hand, while always on the lookout for suckers, WILL pay their illustrious speakers because that's how they draw the crowds - by name recognition! It will not hurt B'nai Brith's symposium attendance one bit to have a Zundel-panel add much-needed multicultural color and, at the very least, a modicum of window dressing balance -
4. Whether we are talking "fee" or "stipend" is moot. I'll take either, and so will Annie Alpert - provided that she is invited, which I assume she is -
5. Am I holding my breath about being invited by B'nai Brith as well? Not really. But wonders never cease -
6. How interesting that a Nizkorite needs to add sneers to a matter that concerns ONLY B'nai Brith and the Zundel-Haus. I always thought that Nizkorites vociferously insisted they were independent of B'nai Brith - and largely just a bunch of eager beaver super-goys -
7. May I respectfully request that Ms. Annie Alpert not call me "girl" and address me by the title I have acquired by the sweat of my exalted Aryan brow - in my sixth language, at that? My spelling isn't always perfect either, but then, in our sappy world - who's perfect? Some of us strive harder than others to rise above the crowd.
In summary: No official notice to the Zundel-Haus as yet on our offer to
help B'nai Brith ". . . carry on activities in a manner that is sensitive
and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada" - by giving
OUR side on who WE think is busy hating and subverting society in Canada
and elsewhere.
Ingrid
Thought for the Day:
"Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor's noisy party than being there."
(Franklin P. Jones)