Canad ALMOST a year ago, I wrote a column in this space about the divi- siveness of multicultur- al policies. Since then not much has changed, and the hyphenated state-of-being cultivated by the policy of multiculturalism continues to be a source of divisions. Canada, it seems, is losing any overarching national creed it might have pos- sessed. The strong display of homegrown non-Canadian nationalism from Serbian- Canadians is the latest in a string of such displays. Canadian-Kurds preceded Serbians in a similar out- burst. And the Sikh commu- nity demonstrates perennially that imported faction fight- ing is alive and thriving in Vancouver. The Canadian multicul- tural landscape is in tatters — split into many conscious- nesses. As they rampaged through University Avenue in Toronto, inflicting injuries on Canadian police, setting alight and detacing the Maple Leaf with swastikas, Serbian-Canadians also expressed a strange senti- ment: outrage that their tax dollars were being spent to bomb their relatives. When asked to express an opinion on the role Canada was playing in the NATO offensive against Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, one Serbian woman made gagging sounds simulating the act of heaving. There was not much else she was capable of because she was unable to speak even a smattering of English; our immigration policies do not require that of her. All in all, Canadian citi- zenship comes with few strings attached: no need to know the languages, a new fealty in place of the old loyalties is not required, and old hates and biases can be comment sustained, What’s next? ‘Tax deduc- tions for thase who object to their new country’s foreign policies? Canada’s confused multi- cultural policy is still geared to making ethno-cultural communities part of the Canadian mosaic (which is a good thing) without requir- ing them to shed anv of their ethnic or cultural identities, orto assume the full com- mitment of citizenship (which is a bad thirg). “Unity in diversity” is one of the niceties used to describe this objective. This exuberant promotion of plu- ralism would be laudable if it was balanced with an acknowledgement of a core Canadian identity for which to strive. As it turns out, English Canada has been reduced to just one of many competing cultural outlooks. It has been posited that the reason Trudeau fashioned multiculturalism was to dis- abuse Quebec of its aspira- rmailbox tions for special recognition. If evervone was made a member of one or another cultural collective, then so could Quebec be treated like just another ethnic commu- nity clamouring for recogni- tion. At the same time that Quebee was placed on an equal ideological footing with other multicultural mor- tals, English Canada became what UBC Prof. Philip Resnick called “a nation that dare not speak its name. ‘Terms like imperialist, Eurocentric and phalocentric all became derogatory syn- onyms for mainstream English culture. True cultural relativists refuse to make any value judgment about what they call marginalized cultures. You will be hard-pressed to get the cultural relativist to condemn even a loathsome cultural practice like female genital mutilation. There is, seemingly, a complete lack of indignation in Canada over the cheapen- ing of her citizenship, as is evident by the broadcasting- media’s questions to Serbian- Canadians. “What is it like to live in a country that is bombing your home?” our multicultural- savvy media repeatedly asked Serb-Canadians. The same media described Albanian-Canadians as “liv- ing in Halifax and worrying about home.” Which begs the question where exactly is home fora Canadian passport holder? Evidently, multicultural- ism has niade all Canadians think of the visibly hyphenat- ed as guests in this land. Another goal of multicul- tural policy is the fight against racism. This fight, however, is mostly directed against main- stream Canada which is sup- posed to be infested with institutionalize racism. Rarely is chis effort direct- ed at educating ethnic com- munities about the Canadian values of tolerance for diver- sity, and about the imperative of not perpetuating home- grown hatreds on Canadian soil. : Ultimately what is most amusing about the language of multiculturalism is that its terminology is uniquely Western. Pluralism and tolerance for diversity are an extension of the Western tradition of human rights. Thus the ideas that form the edifice of muiticultural- ism would not exist if not for the Western tradition. At the same time this tra- dition is devalued by multi- cultural policies so that it is nothing more than another Family applauds police actions convinced that our city police are strong, accu- Dear Editor: We are deeply sad and heart-broken, and nothing can diminish our immense sorrow and suffering. However, we would like to mention that during the time of our son Elmir’s disap- pearaace and his being found subsequently, the nolize have fulfilled their duties, efficiently and admirably, They were very considerate, indeed, and at times, tolerated our impatience and answered our numerous and, not always logical ques- tions, with courtesy and understanding. After this event we have become even more rate, tolerant and meticulous in performing their duties, and helpful to the public. My wife and I would like to take this oppor- tunity to express our heart-felt chanks and grat- itude to you for afl the kindness and assistance you have extended to us during those very try- ing and distressing times, May we ask that you gratitude and kindly convey our fecling also to the higher echelon of the police as a small token of our sincere appreciation. Kobra and Azim Ebrahimi North Vancouver eratitude of north vancouver ° city THANK YOU Thank You to the residents in the area of 440 Brand Street for their cooperation North Vancouver City Fire and Rescue City of North Vancouver be beat off yous community during our live fire practice on March 18, 1999. The house used was donated by Noort Homes, and these types of practices are essential in our efforts to continue fast and efficient operation of Emergency Services in the City of North Vancouver. you can reach us| Mayor Jack E. Loucks Councillor john Braithwaite Councillor Stella Jo Dean Councillor Bob Fearnley Councillor Darrell Mussatto Councillor Barbara Perrault Councillor Barbara Sharp 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver BC V7M 1H9 Phone: 985-7761 Fax: 985-9417 Friday, April 9, 1999 — North Shore News — 7 julticultural ingredient in Canada’s multi- cultural pottage. That's sure- ly good for a laugh. Sadly, there will be no laughter for the Kosovars. I watched the endless pro- cessions of refugees from Kosovo streaming into the neighbouring countries, As they walk, women, children and older men (young men are ominously under-represented in the exodus), the tears stream down their sorrow-etched faces. “Our hearts are already broken,” said one ethnic Albanian. Their stories are consis- tent. The evidence is incon- trovertible: they were round- ed up, their identity docu- osai ments and the titles to their homes seized, their dwellings torched. They were then instructed to stare walking. Slobodan Milosevic’s eth- nic cleansing, which began insidiously prior to NATO’s actions, is now being execut- ed with a chilling resolve. At the time of writing, about 700,000 people had been dispossessed. NATO is responding to a moral imperative — an imperative created by the Holocaust and the Final Solution (Hitler’s unique plan to exterminate the Jews) atter the Second World War. Canada is part of that response. Hyphen or no hyphen, we can all be proud. — gnome@attcanadanet | Aa vervices ey 21 pt. Safety check, 15 minutes - FAST! 1 Includes up to 5 titres of 10w30 Quakerstate 13G2 Marine Drive 930-9715 Mon-Sat 8:00amn-6:00pm, Sun. 9:00am-5.00pm Expires Apr. 21/09 § MORTGAGES WHEN THE BANKS SAY “NO” 687-2020 i Oil, Lube & Fitter rl i Financiat ‘Services Ltd. VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.instafund.com Lender Broker fees may apply Imagine... 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