Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Letter: Canadians need to come to terms with the legacy of residential schools

It was an honour and a privilege to be present Thursday at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel where the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings were taking place. I want to thank everyone who is responsible for facilitating this event.

I am grateful that so many survivors of residential schooling showed up and bravely told their stories, shared with us “Canadians” the suffering that they endured. The legacy of our collective responsibility for this disaster is ongoing. We MUST raise the consciousness of every Canadian — this history needs to be taught.

It’s not only an apology that is necessary, it is support for a complete change in perspective and intention. Starting immediately.

This land is not OUR land. It is native land. It is time to respect that and all that it means. We absolutely must join together to talk about all the issues of the diverse communities that live on this land.

The heartbreak of the many many broken childhoods, threatened families and maligned communities should bring all of us to our knees in sadness and then spur us on to show human kindness and love. It really is time for Canadians to step up — eh?

Original Article
Source: montrealgazette.com
Author: The Gazette

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