When something is barbaric, call it barbaric
GLOBE EDITORIAL: FIRST TAKE
When something is barbaric, call it barbaric
The Globe and Mail
Published Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 9:16 AM EDT
Last updated Wednesday, Apr. 03 2013, 10:20 AM EDT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/when-something-is-barbaric-call-it-barbaric/article10713368/
Jason Kenney, the federal immigration minister, deserves congratulations for releasing an updated guide for newcomers that refers to certain unacceptable cultural practices as barbaric. Those practices include any that tolerate spousal abuse, honour killings, female genital mutilation, forced marriage or other gender-based violence. The term barbaric is strong, but it leaves no room for misinterpretation. That is the most important issue here.
There is no question that some will be offended by barbaric and its connotations of primitive cultures and a lack of sophistication. It is a provocative adjective to use in reference to another culture, especially in Canada, where it does not quite fit with our self-image of a multicultural, all-accepting country that embraces other peoples with open arms.
But there are three overriding points that justify the terms use. One, the most obvious, is that honour killings, spousal abuse, female genital mutilation and forced marriage are unjustifiable and savagely brutal acts that have no place in Canada. Mr. Kenney is absolutely right about that.
Secondly, these sorts of gender-based cruelties have no place in any country, and Canada is sending a strong message about it. Gender equality is a basic human right, and countries that embrace it as such tend to fare better economically than those that dont. Not that a basic human right needs economic justification, but Canada is a prosperous and safe place to live, and its attitudes about the rights of women and girls are a critical part of that success.
Ok, I'm just wondering why this hasn't been included all along. [IMG]
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