When you think about it, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with national myths. They seek to convey something special about one's country. For example, there is the American myth about being a country where anyone can become anything by dint of hard work. In Canada, there is the myth that we are a peace-loving, accepting nation that stands in sharp contrast to our southern neighbours. The problems begin when we take those myths too literally and too seriously, allowing us to don blinders to our national faults.
Like many Canadians, I have frequently taken much comfort in feelings of superiority to the United States in so many areas, not the least of which is racism. However, our sad history of mistreatment of Indigenous people, as well as at least a passing acquaintance with the news, should quickly disabuse us of the notion that we are free of such taint, leaving us only with the cold comfort of knowing we are not as bad as the United States.
But our domestic racism cannot be ignored, lest it be allowed to fester. A recent report, for example, tells of widespread Islamophobia uncovered by a Senate committee investigating the problem.
Last month, figures released by Statistics Canada indicated police-reported hate crimes targeting Muslims increased by 71 per cent from 2020 to 2021. The rate of the crimes was eight incidents per 100,000 members of the Muslim population, based on census figures.
Among the committee’s findings is an observation that attacks against Muslims often appear to happen out on the streets and appear to be more violent than those targeting other religious groups, [committee chair Senator Salma] Ataullahjan said.
The committee's final reported, expected in July, will likely disturb many.
Analysts and experts interviewed by the Senate committee said the rise of far-right hate groups and anti-Muslim groups are among the factors driving attacks against Muslims, Ataullahjan said.
The committee looked at the cases of Black Muslim women in Edmonton who were violently assaulted in recent years.
“Some of them sat in front of us and everyone was getting teary-eyed because it’s not easy to tell your story especially where you’ve been hurt,” she said.
The 2017 shooting at a Quebec mosque when a gunman opened fire, killing six worshippers and injuring several others, is another example of violent Islamophobia, she said.
The Senate committee’s report will also address recent violence against Muslims, including an alleged assault outside a Markham, Ont., mosque where witnesses told police a man tore up a Qur’an, yelled racial slurs, and tried to ram a car into congregants.
The committee will also detail day-to-day aggression against Muslim Canadians, including accounts from hijab-wearing girls in schools who don’t feel comfortable reporting instances of Islamophobia to police, Ataullahjan said.
Raising public awareness of this shameful behaviour is only part of the solution. of course.
The National Council of Muslim Canadians also hopes the report will help Canadians familiarize themselves with the Muslim community.
“We want to address hate,” [spokesman Steven Zhou] said. “But also it’s about building bridges. For people to learn about Islam, for people to learn about what this religion is actually about, how the community works."
I don't know what it is to live a life framed by fear, suspicion and averted gazes. It would seem that far too many people, however, do.
In the 19th century, it was religion, not language, that divided Canadians, Lorne. It seems that we have devolved.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Owen, we have not lived up to our potential.
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