Infanteer said:
I wasn't referring to anyone in specific (so no, you don't get your yellow card yet
) - the general tone of the thread seems to be taking a rather nasty edge as people get (justifiably) worked up.
Just trying to keep things civil.
Cheers,
Infanteer
Infanteer,
actually, if you knew me you would know that considering the subject matter, I was being civil. :warstory: However, I must say that I do have a problem with individuals of any ilk who have sworn an oath, under the Constitution, and then condemn parts of said Constitution that do not suit their fancy. In this respect, I see no differance between them and the yoof protesters who burn the Canadian flag.
I will make this pledge, from this point on, to remain the utmost of gentlemen. Honest Injun.(I'm just asking for it, aren't I?)
Unfortunately, Canuck_25s post went through while I was typing, so will amend this post. I fear however, that lock-down is imminent.
Canuck,
Fact -- Canadians of native heritage have better opportunites to gain goverment jobs based on their race. Proof- Look at a CF recruiting form.
True, as do many other minorities. Has it gone too far. Maybe. Again, as mentioned, I'm no fan of the fluffy-bunny-slippers society we currently live in.
Well, i know a few hard working Canadians who are of Native heritage. All of them live off reserve
Won't even touch this one.
Native Canadians can enter post secondary institutions with lower grades. It's true, even a court battle has been fought over it, and the non native lost.
Not familiar with the case, but I can add, that this is NOT an across the board policy of Universities. If a school chooses to do so, they can fill their boots.
Calling someone racist because they disagree with a system that is based on race, **** off.
I also disagree with the system, which I've stated. But the comments were not geared at the system, but at a group of people.
With regards to individuals wishing to live in the past, well that is unrealistic. As you've stated yourself, this is not limited to aboriginal peoples, so your point is really moot, wouldn't you say? However, the term insane would seem somewhat inappropriate and harsh. If people see no future, they feel the answers may be in the past. And believe me, many aboriginal youth feel they have no future. Do I agree with them. Absolutely not,but that is what institutionalization does.
If you can show me any place where aboriginal people really had any choice in being put on reserves, I'd love to know about it. Fact is, anyone who refused immediately had their heritage stripped from them by the Government. Reserves, dear sir, were not our idea.
If anything, the goverment and the native people are racist.
While I concur, somewhat, with the first, I would like clarification as to how you feel reserves make native people racist. Honest question, not baiting you. Simple fact is, there are as many racist native people as there are racists of other skin-tones. However, rules which can be construed as being racist on-reserve, are government rules enacted by various Canadian governments.
Stole my land? Nope. My ancestors had their asses roundly whipped by the Mohawk and Seneca. They msitakenly supported the French, when the Dutch and English were clearly the power brokers. Live and learn, eh? However, having been deeded land,
in perpetuity they found their agents, at government request, selling off these same lands illegally. That is the system which still remains.
Well, my ancestors (black Irish) were forced from Ireland by English landlords. Should I go claim the land that is entiltled to my family?
Had it not been by force, but by way of legally binding contracts (Treaties), then absolutely. To do anything less would be considered criminal by your descendants. Unfortunately, the Irish were not given that option, nor were the Scots.
hold a grudge over 100 years of history,
What you are not grasping, is that we are not just talking of 100, 200, 400 years of history. We are talking about yesterday, and last week, and 5 years ago. This is not ancient stuff, but current events.
What I can say in regards to the whole issue of racism in this country(or in the UK), is that I was never, ever, faced with the issue from other members whilst in uniform. Never. As one young guy said in a previous post (Native kid, I believe): we are all green (or bleed green. Sorry, don't want to lose this to check.) In my case, light blue. The uiniform is the big equalizer. At least, it is meant to be.
Infanteer, please keep this going. I believe that it is an eye-opener for all, including myself. No pain, no gain.