Words Matter

I need to preface this post with the following: this article has been edited by people who have graciously offered their advice. The circumstances do not primarily affect a white, middle-aged male who has been as privileged as I’ve been. I do have an obligation though, to counter hurtful and divisive language that affects our society and those that are harmed from such language.
For this reason, I’ve consulted with those who are, and have been hurt by recent events. I’ve also consulted BIPOC USHR’s recent post located here. I urge you to read it.
Earlier this week, a public Facebook post entitled “Xenophobia has its place” by a prominent Island historian and writer was made. To start, a title like that should not even be uttered or written. There is no place for xenophobia. Period. Full stop.
Unfortunately the article kept going. Within the article, reference was made to “being wary/suspicious of newcomers bearing gifts” as being a survival/coping mechanism. He then went on to equate immigrants (who have to come here through proper immigration channels), to that of European colonizers, who (as history has shown us) committed one of the worst genocides in history.
The article’s assumption that immigrants “who come with suitcases of money in the trunks of their cars” are to be scrutinized, is divisive, damaging and demeaning to BIPOC individuals.
To quote directly from the aforementioned BIPOC article:
Racialized immigrants face immense racism in this country. They/we are humiliated on a daily basis, from having their/our accents, food, and clothing mocked, to being infantilized, to being assumed to be dangerous, to being seen with suspicion. They/we are constantly dehumanized.
So fear based suspicion (xenophobia) for any supposed reason is 100% unequivocally unwarranted, and Island New Democrats stand opposed to these damaging words.
Multiple Indigenous members have attempted to educate in these public posts. As a former educator himself, I for one sincerely hope he connects, and most importantly listens to those of the BIPOC community, to learn and change.
Support Island New Democrats
As the true progressive party representing Islanders from tip to tip, we rely on your support to stand up for policies that matter to Prince Edward Island. Health, education, agriculture, environmental, women's, BIPOC and SOGI issues need New Democratic voices in the legislature.
Please donate below to support that fight
Donation
Tax credit on contributions
You can claim a tax credit on contributions made to recognized Prince Edward Island political parties, and to candidates who were officially nominated under the Elections Act of Prince Edward Island. The annual maximum credit is $500 and is calculated as follows:
- First $100 contributed - 75%
- Next $450 contributed - 50%
- Next $600 contributed - 33 1/3%