Rant clarified
Vancouver Sun
Published: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
BRUCE ALLEN CLARIFIES EDITORIAL COMMENT OF SEPTEMBER 13
LISTEN HERE:
http://www.cknw.com/shows/realityche...l.wma&wids=300
Today at 12:15pm, CKNW commentator Bruce Allen issued the following clarification of his Sept. 13 "Reality Check." The full text of the editorial is below and can be heard online at
www.cknw.com.
I wasn't going to talk about my rant of September 13th ever again. It was over with. 90 seconds out of my life. A few complaint letters. Same old. Same old.
But then something happened. That rant began to take on a life of its own-where one week later-one week-a couple of politically motivated individuals decided that they could take this rant, and twist it into something more controversial.
The rant of Sept 13th was the opposite of what others in our province are pinning their political objectives on. First of all, if anyone really heard what I was saying, instead of just focusing on the phrase "shut up and fit in", they would have heard this-so I'll say it slowly this time.
Quote.
"If I didn't know better, it would seem that there has been a lot of immigrant bashing going on these past few months."
End quote.
I then proceeded to cite three examples of how I perceived two immigrant groups were being bashed. This offended me.
The first example had to do with Sikh children being denied passport photos because of what they were wearing on their head. I called this religious headgear a "handkerchief". This is incorrect. It is not a handkerchief. It is a patka. Or a turban. Like I said on the Christy Clark show, and I'm saying it again today, if I offended anyone, I apologize.
But where did the "handkerchief" word come from? Oh, surprise, surprise - The Vancouver Sun in an article written by Kelly Sinoski on Aug. 17. I didn't hear Kelly Sinoski being labelled a racist or that the Vancouver Sun was promoting hatred.
Next thing the agitators focused on was the mispronunciation on my part of the name Kaur. At the time I pronounced it as Khan, due to a typo. Khan is a Muslim name. Not a Sikh name. The name came up when I ridiculed the Immigration Department for considering making those with the surnames of Singh or Kaur change them to avoid administrative mistakes. I find this idea to be ridiculous and, if imposed, would be race bashing.
The idea of burka covered Muslim women possibly not being allowed to vote was the next example of race-bashing that I cited. In 2007, the very idea that this could ever be considered is absurd. And to me, would be race bashing.
These were all stories covered in the national press from coast-to-coast.
From there, I went on to cite a 10-year-old, but long settled, dispute as to whether turbans should be allowed to be worn as a Mountie, and another old one where a motorcyclist wanted to be able to ride his bike without a helmet, because he couldn't fit one over his turban.
Let me make it perfectly clear. These disputes have been settled. And I agree how they were settled. I have no problem with Sikhs wearing turbans in the RCMP.
We all read about it. Old news? Yes. Played to the hilt in the media? Yes. Racial? No.
So then I talked about the laws in this country. How they were spelled out-and easy to get hold of, and that if you want to come to this country, or any other country, as a visitor or an immigrant, you should respect them. I should know, my grandparents immigrated to this country.
And then that phrase that some people are focusing on. The quote was "But if you choose to come to a place like Canada, then shut up and fit in."
Too harsh? OK. At worst, the wrong choice of words.
My mail tells me that most Canadians support immigration, want the multicultural experience, but also want their new neighbours to respect the customs and laws of Canada. Most people who immigrate to Canada come here because they left their homeland to search out a better life.
The rules of Canada will be ever-changing, as they should be. And our new arrivals will and should have a say in how they evolve. So imagine my surprise and shock when I opened my door to get the Sunday paper, and
see a copy of the Province with the headline, "Furor Erupts After Radio Comments."
What furor?
Because the media needed a story so they fabricated one? Because this radio station and their high-paid talk show hosts dragged this story out, so for once they had something controversial to talk about, and didn't have to climb off the fence to create it?
Because politicians who were currently out of favor, now had something to twist around to hopefully help them move up the food chain?
And so it goes. Once again, people are listening and not hearing. Those with an agenda prey upon that, and feed the uninformed.
I am the product of immigrants. Most of us are. Canada would not be the great country it is without immigration. That's a given. But when the media misquotes, and is being fuelled by malcontents, we stir up a situation where only the media benefits. This story should have been stillborn. And for a week it was. But when politics entered the picture, the gloves were off.
I go back to the first line of the piece. "If I didn't know better, it would seem that there has been a lot of immigrant bashing going on these past few months."
People heard, but didn't listen. The "furor" has been manufactured for political gain.
The only good thing coming out of this is the subsequent dialogue. People are talking. Many are talking to me, and I have learned a great deal. As long as we talk with an open mind, Canada will be a better place. We cannot let the politicians play their games at our expense. I'm sick of the misinformation. The obvious promotion of political agendas. And the words racist and hate mongering being used to describe my commentary.
And so it dragged on, with calls for my job, both at CKNW and VANOC. That's really good.
I don't like your opinion so you should lose your job.
I don't like your opinion so I'm going to threaten your life.
I don't like your opinion so I'm going to vilify you.
You are allowed to disagree, but at least get your facts right.
Give your head a shake! Stop and take time to listen to the entire comment.
"If I didn't know better, it would seem that there has been a lot of immigrant bashing going on these past few months."
I agree with you Allen! Every word of it!
And I must say, in recent years the Province has increasingly produced more and more spin on its front cover headlines....it's disgusting.
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