Accept Canadian equality Dear Editor: Having read Zap! writer Taleeb _Noormohamed’s article’ ‘‘Ques- tioning Collins’ idea!’’ in the July 3 Nerth Shore News, [ was shocked and disgusted by many implications drawn towards Doug Collins’ views and towards white people in general. Being a 20-year-old white Ca- nadian male, | am-hurt by many. things Mr. Noormohamed wrote. - First of all, 2 abhor any im- plication of Doug Collins being a Nazi or even a Nazi sympathizer. it rnaust be known that Mr. Collins ‘dutifully served in the British Armed Forces during the Second World War to fight off the Nazi forces in Europe. He was actually a prisoner of war in a Nazi prison camp! Were you in the Second World ‘War, Mr. Noormechamed? Neither was {, which is why ! think we should be thanking Mr. Collins . for his efforis to keep Canada the free, safe and desirable nation it is today. . Secondly, no, white people are not any better than other races; however, Mr. Noormohamed, Bains case. they are not any worse. Being of Swedish and German descent, | am hurt to see my white heritage constantly being slashed apart and labelled the ‘‘oppressive mass’ that has been and is still mostly responsible for the ‘‘evils of socie- ty.” This is Canada, Taleeb, a sup- posedly multicultural society in which all people of all races and creeds are said to have equal rights. Lately, i haven’t been able to agree with that at-all. What I am constantly being fed by the media is that particular minority groups are somchow be- ing unfairly treated and that the white-based majority is to blame. In turn, our white-based govern: ment panics and decides to say “We're sorry!’’ by hurriedly dige- ing into my and the rest of Canada’s white-cotton pockets to shell out an “‘appropriate’’ com- pensation. { thought that all Canadians were equal! I don’t feel equal! I was confused by yuur refer- ences to convicted murderer Dar- ren Huenenmann and the Jamie You mentioned that Learn how to create art out of recycled materials SE°M BORED, there’s ‘nothing to do.” Need. an answer to this common _/summertime complaint? Here’s an :. ,answer that's fun and helps young * people learn: about the environ- . ment. “The Seymour Art Gallery and :Mazeppa. Art Entertainment’ are + offering, low-cost summer re-art “workshops for young people. “Mark. Mazeppa, featured on “YTV’s Yake Part, will show ‘young people how to create their own fun ‘making magical monsters THE QUESTION last week - was whether you agree with toy guns being banned from schools. - I’m sure there sre many who would disagree with this and say that it's aa over-reaction. i myself on first reading thought that it was a hit extreme; how- ever, i. can ste her rationale. Violent crimes are going up evea in elementary schools and behavior like that does train young children that it’s OK to do gua shoeting and thai sort of thing when they're older and it mnight result in increasing .vi- alent crimes when these children are. older. 1 would have to say that I do agree with it. What good do the water pistols do for the kids out of papier mache and recyclable objects. Mazeppa is host of Marke’s Recycle Cycle Site, in which he demonstrates how to create toys and art from things you find around the house. - Workshop dates are July 21 to 24 and July 28 to 31. Classes for eight to 10-year-olds are 11 a.m. to 12:36 and for 11 to 14-year- olds 1:30 to 3 p.m. The workshop costs $30 and preregistration takes place on July ‘10. Cali 929-5744 or 987-5283 to register. anyway? They should just get rid of them. if children grow up with a gun in their hands, obviously they won't know the difference between right and wrong with « gun in their hands when they're adults, I think this woman is absolutely correct. How can we be telling our children that it’s all right to go around shooting pretend guns and then it’s net all right to be shooting zeal guns? Children are smart, bui they’re uot that smart. 1 think she has a point, it does encourage gun shooting, but I don’t think they should go so far as ta ban them cuz that’s dumb. Little kids aren't going to think, ‘Oh, there’s a gun, let’s go yet a real one and | shoot someone,’ like older people might do. I don’t think there's really much point to it. i think heving a high- powered water gun isn’t right. Any water gun could shoot kids in the eye and blind them, Banning isn't the right way to solve it. I have a water gun and } think they’re a great way to have fun. i do not agree. minorities are taught the ways of their forefathers to keep “‘minori- ty children from committing crimes like hiring friends to kill! their families.” Just because two psychopaths happen to be white doesn’t mean that the entire white race is a completely insane race that is less educated than other races. (Even though rapper Sista Souljah would like to think so.) Another stab in the back for racial and social equality. Fourthly, it is true that our native Indians were the first peo- ple to come to Canada. However, we are not living in the 14th cen- tury. We are living today, in the year 1992, Our natives have pro- gressed with society and should not be observed as the lost culture from ancient times. Our very own: Capilano Indian band is statistically one of the wealthiest native bands in North America, let alone Canada. How- ever, they don’t pay any taxes! My hard-earned money more and more is slipping away from me so that the government can keep them happy. Am [ a lesser Canadia;? Are they more impor- tant than you and f? No. They are Canadian like you and I and should be so treated. No more, no jess. Let me say "this to you, Mr. Noormohamed, I, too, am here to stay. My white family and others like it are here to stay. We, too, are working to keep Canada successful, to keep it together, and to keep it the best, most friendly nation on Earth. However, if, you can’t accept that we are all equal here in Canada, and if you can’t come out from hiding behind the protective wall of racist accusations towards white people and the scapegoat- like comparisons of people - to Nazis then maybe you should leave, because if you can’t accept being an equal in Canada, then, Taleeb, you aren’t the ‘reat Cana- dian. Krister Kottmeier Wesi Vancouver AY MOM WANTS: MSE TO CLEAN UP MY ROOM, AND IM SCARED. ISO YOURE GIVING ME THE “SILENT_TREATMENT, EH? WHATS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, HUH? ; camp is held irom 9 a.m.-- AFTER its application for a youth club was rejected fast year, Sanc- tuary Investments Ltd. is now Proposing a new site for a youth dance club at the foot of LOnS: wuy, iB dale. NEWS photo Mixa Wakefield Léteé. Fre ranc ais - DUKING IT cut with baguettes are. ‘Neil. Desal. (eft): and Witte Fitzpatrick while in the background Renee Fisher. (left)' and David Thomas paint up a storm: The N. Shore YMCA French immersion progrem fs holding 2 summer camp. L’été Francais frem July 27-31 for children ages 9-12. ‘Instructor Katie Blancard will provide a week of co-operative activities for children who have been involved with French at school. The. 4 p.m. each day with a fee of $75 for the week. For more information phone the ¥ at 926-5541. MIGHT BE LINDER © ALL THAT STLIFF! SO WHAT iS IT, YOU JUST DON'T SAY ANYTHING? IS THAT {T? HUH? YOURE NOT GOING To TALK TO ME? AROUND NOT SI THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? 18 THAT WHAT THIS STUPID “SILENT TREATMENT THING 1S? AP UWA? Uieeted Peatute Synen ate He