The worst crime of all, of course, is to take the life of another person.
Close on the heels of murder, is denigration of others because of their race, religion, ethnic background, physical appearance or anything else that is meant to degrade or humiliate someone.
When it comes to anti-Semitism, as with all racist behaviour, we must all be vigilant. (No expression of racism should go un-noticed).
N.P. Knocks B'nai B'rith
The National Post criticizes a B’nai B’rith Report, which says that during the year 2009, there was an increase in acts of anti-Semitism. Here’s what the N.P. said in an article on the subject:
“If B’nai Brith wants Canadians to appreciate the importance of the information in its 28-year-old census of anti-Jewish attacks, it has to stop using this one-size-fits-all approach, and begin highlighting the relatively small number of truly alarming assaults. Raising the hue and cry over the desecration of a cemetery is sensible. Raising the hue and cry because adolescent classmates haze each other with juvenile religious taunts is not.”
The National Post is charging that the anti-Semitism survey is misleading, because it conflates minor incidents with major ones. But what is a “major” incident? It seems to me that any act of racism is wrong and needs to be examined. And then we – as a society – need to examine our behaviour and ask the obvious question.
Why are any of these things happening?
Why is any racial, religious or ethnic group victimized?
- Is it because our education system is deficient?
- Is it because some event occurred that caused certain individuals to commit acts of vandalism and/or harassment?
- These and many other questions should be asked and explored.
It’s unfortunate that The National Post editorial neither asks the questions, nor does it offer any answers.
