Top 10 list: How not to respond to Indigenous experiences of racism in Canada

[Pono Aloha]

This could go on the comedy channel too, as it's pretty funny but oh so true.

http://rabble.ca/news/2013/09/top-10-list-how-not-to-respond-to-indigenous-experiences-racism-canada

Below, a summary of these knee-jerk responses that are always trotted out by the masses when indigenous Canadians describe their experiences of racism, and why you should not use them.

1. Don't bring up your own experiences of discrimination.

My favourite comment on the Nepean Redskins name debate comes from a man who proclaims that "my ancestors came right off the boat to Canada from Scotland however, they were badly discriminated against for many years," and then goes on to suggest that it's really the Indigenous people who are racist. Classy! Listen, we all know that everyone's ancestors were invaded by the British and so you too can lay claim to historic oppression! And everyone has at one point or another been insulted for some intrinsic quality, and it made them feel bad. But someone calling you an "evil ginger" on the playground is not the same as living in a society that tramples your human rights and dignity. And even if you think your experience is equally bad -- or even worse! -- the fact is that this particular conversation is not about you. You know that person who interrupts someone else's story to say, "Oh man, I have an even WORSE story about flying with Air Canada"? Everyone hates that person. Don't be that person.

[Ari]

This is intense:

http://rt.com/news/canadian-fracking-protest-erupts-violence-333/

[earthw7]

we pray for our people who stand at the front lines because we have to defend the earth!

Where are all the want to be Native people when we fight for what is right ???

[Defend the Sacred]

Journalist Miles Howe has been at the anti-fracking blockade since the beginning, and providing reliable coverage when everyone else was ignoring this. He's still the go-to reporter and he's come through for us again with this summation of yesterday's events, including the role of agent provacateurs in this struggle.

http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/story/rcmp-bring-60-drawn-guns-dogs-assault-rifles-serve/19358

The encampment has been peaceful. Yesterday they woke up to flaming police cars and guns in their faces. The man who threw the molotov cocktails is not a member of the Mi'kmaq blockade. He turned up shortly before the policed did, started the fires, and then walked out past the police line without being arrested. Draw your own conclusions.

[Defend the Sacred]

I've started a thread specifically about Elisipogtog in the News section:

http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=4209