Playing Devil's Advocate at the Witch Hunt
Okay. Admit it. Did you have any idea that Aboriginal kids involved in modern ceremonial dancing activities had to grow their hair long?
Now, I've read and seen the little bit that's actually been made public about Haircutgate and I just have to ask, "Is everybody off their meds?" I mean, did my eyes deceive me or did I see Phil Fontaine on CBC somehow managing to tie in the story of some clued out teacher's aide (whatever that is) cutting an Aboriginal child's hair because she seemed to think she was solving a vision problem - with insulting an entire culture? What if the kid had just been growing his hair because he wanted to have long hair? Would her actions have been any less/more in error? I don't see how, personally. But, uh, I'm Scottish Presbyterian - so, of course, I would say that, wouldn't I.
Geez Louise, and what's with the "hang 'er high" crowd of racism spotters, anyway. It is not racist to be clued out, people, and without any indication that this woman intended to do harm, it's pretty lynch-mob-reactionary to be calling for charges to be laid, don't you think? Sure, fire her - assuming teacher's aide is a paying position. Her judgement is terrible. Although, I hope if she's fired it's on more than the word of a seven year old kid.
The Internet: reaction feeding on reaction.
Official Disclaimer: The Indian Act is an abomination, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs is an abomination, the government's official right hand apology to Residential School victims was completely negated by government official left hand apologist to the Reform Grassroots of the New Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, and Aboriginal people in Canada continue to suffer injustice as a direct result of the Canadian government's failure to honour legal land claim agreements.
Addendum: And what's with the media protecting the identity of the mom who has obtained legal representation by Julian Falconer (what? we don't have any Aboriginal lawyers in this country?) to take this incident to the wall, meanwhile tarring the accused with the allegation of having racist intent in her actions - as if this is a pre-meditated hate crime of some sort?
