Tuesday 16 July 2013

Don't you hate it when you're misunderstood?

Ok, apparently I have to clarify the following; I do not think all Francophones are separatists nor do I believe all Francophones hate English speakers. I am simply pointing out if anyone feels the need to suppress any language; you and I are going to have a problem.
As for the person who thinks I am comparing Anglos to Martin Luther King Jr., again, you are incorrect. I was simply giving examples of those who came before us and fought against any form of discrimination. They refused to stand for it, and I follow that way of thinking. I will not stand for it either.
And yes, I realize Rosa Parks was told to sit in a different section of a bus because of her race and the English are not forced to do so. (Someone actually thought that was what I was implying.) I am not trying to devalue in any way the bravery these heroes showed through the immense amount of suffering they endured. However, when you are on your local STM bus, on your way to your office, friend’s house, or your home, the signs that surround you are all in French. And should you find a sign that has English on it, such as the emergency exit, I guarantee that the font is at least half the size. Is that not discrimination? Do I, as an Anglophone, not deserve to be able to read the emergency exit instructions as well as Francophones? How is that fair? Or safe, for that matter? I am certain many, if not all Francophones will agree with me, on that one.

So for those out there, who misunderstood my message, I hope this clarifies things. I fight toward a Quebec that is non-discriminatory and multi-lingual, and where language police are just a distant memory. This is what I stand for, and I'm truly sorry and saddened if I made anyone think otherwise.
Ok, so that should settle things, hopefully!

2 comments:

  1. Hi Christina,

    I've read and re-read your Gazette Op-Ed, and quite frankly, you've got nothing to apologize for. The fact that a few people are riled up about it shows that you've hit a nerve and are forcing them to confront issues from a different perspective.

    Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., John Lennon were all considered radicals and even "extremists" in their day for standing up for what they believed in. Don't let small minds intimidate and silence you - that's what they want.

    BTW, if you haven't seen the Angryphone video about Quebec, Brent Tyler parallels Rosa Parks and the language struggle in Quebec brilliantly.

    I responded to an irate lady in your Gazette thread. Will gladly do it again - she's really ticked LOL!

    Good luck.

    Rahul

    P.S. Wish I knew ASL like you. I coached the Quebec deaf curling team for three years.

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    1. Thank you, Rahul. I appreciate you sticking up for me :) We all need to stand together in this. I felt the same way about hitting a nerve, but figured, I'll clarify what I meant and then anyone who still has issues with my article...well, obviously isn't looking at the big picture...or had blinders on! And regarding your wanting to learn ASL; it's actually not that difficult if you teach yourself a little bit at a time. I learned it while I was still in grade school, so we didn't have the internet to help tutor, but now, you can look up a whole bunch of youtube videos and websites that teach you step by step and day by day. Some of them even have daily lessons! Good luck!

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