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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-20, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1994. Spring blooms Photo by Janice Becker HlCitizens P 0. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M1H0 Phone 523-47! FAX 523-9140 The North Huron CNA P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1 HO Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Sales Representatives, Jeannette McNeil and Julie Mitchell r<tO The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year ($19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.) for local; $31.03/year ($29.00 plus $2.03 G.S.T.) for local letter carrier in Goderich, Hanover, Listowel, etc. and out-of-area (40 miles from Brussels); $60.00/year for U.S.A, and Foreign. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Publications Mail Registration No. 6968 Racism knows no colour Arnold Minors, a member of the police services board in Toronto and a Canadian of African descent, said a wise thing early this week when he said that "The whole community shouldn't be criminalized by the actions of a few." Mr. Minors was speaking about the guilt some in the city's black community feel after a series of highly publicized murders in the city, particularly the senseless killing of a woman in the robbery of Just Desserts, a classy restaurant. But then Mr. Minors went on to say things that showed much less wisdom. Calling for black people to stand together he said, "If we’re not united together, they will pick us off one by one. They have done it before. And I'll let you figure out who they are." In a later interview he said they were "any people who behave with the power and privilege of the dominant group in this society," that the dominant group in this society is composed of white, able-bodied males. Il's comforting, in troubled times, to be able Lo turn the world into "us" and "them". There was the sense, in the aftermath of the Just Desserts murder, that the middle class population of Toronto was afraid that they, the criminal element, in this case the black criminal element, had invaded their backyard. There's little doubt the fact the criminals, whose photos were captured by a security camera, were black caused much of the fear that gripped the city. There is no reason that the peaceful majority of black Torontonians should feel guilt over the actions of a few. There is no reason they should feel they are suspects just because of the colour of their skins. Those who see all blacks as suspicious because of the actions of a few are wrong. But neither should all white people be asked to bear the guilt of a few bigoted racists. That was what Mr. Minors was suggesting. That is what minority groups of all colours, languages and shapes have been pushing for the past several years. All men should feel guilt for those who arc violent to women. All English speaking people should feel guilt for the way people who don't speak the language have been treated. All pale skinned people bear the shared blame for those who have mistreated black people, Asian people or natives. We have worked very hard, often with government support, to turn our society into a disadvantaged us victimized by an all-powerful them. We must get back to being a society of individuals: individuals who do good things, individuals who do bad things but mostly individuals who do good and bad things both. Those who fight racism by saying racist things do no service to anyone. — KR Time to be tough There could be rough times ahead for Canadians as our government faces a showdown with the U.S. over various nagging trade complaints, but it's lime to stand up for ourselves and accept the pain if we must. After the breakdown of negotiations last week that would have limited exports of Canadian wheat to the U.S. the Americans are making threats of unilateral trade action to punish Canada. It's the latest in a long line of complaints the Americans have about Canadian trade. Time after time the Americans have imposed tariffs on Canadian pork entering the U.S., only to lose when the complaints were sent to a hearing. They would immediately appeal that decision and if they lost that trade action, start a new one. The same thing happens in the export ot softwood lumber to the U.S. If the Americans lose in the courts that have been set up to hear such disputes, they simply ignore the ruling. There is no doubt the amount of Canadian wheat heading south has increased. It's up 250 per cent from 1991. The only reason wheat is flowing south, however, is that the U.S., through its Export Enhancement subsidies, has been selling so much wheat abroad that there isn't enough American wheat left to fill its own needs. Much of that subsidized exported wheat went to countries that formerly bought Canadian wheat. The U.S. has always been unhappy with our supply management system which limits imports, yet it allows only 2.5 per cent of its market for milk and dairy products to be filled by imports, and most of that allocation goes-to countries like Jamaica which produce no dairy products. But there arc those who urge Canada to back off and not fight. "It's risky to be overly successful in the United States," said one trade specialist. But isn't that the reason we were told we should embrace free trade? Canadians have given up a lol of things in the name of free trade. We must now be willing to fight for what's right. — KR Looking Back Through the Years TWENTY YEARS AGO April 17,1974 A twister hit the Seaforth-Dublin area, knocking out power to much of Huron and Perth Counties, including Blyth. The tornado uprooted trees, destroyed barns and overturned a mobile home. The estimate of damage to the power lines was $250,000 to $500,000. MPP for Huron Jack Riddell expressed concern about the Ontario Hydro rumours regarding the construction of a nuclear power plant south of Goderich. The Huron-Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board proposed offering Grade 7 and 8 students a family life course. Some of the areas to be covered were puberty, mother and father­ hood, personality, emotions, pos­ ture, grooming, alcohol, smoking, drugs and the meaning and quality of love. GICs could be bought with a nine percent interest rate. Blyth bowlers took two lop prizes in the Clinton-Blyth Bowl­ ing League. Winners were Mary Davey and Theresa Machan. Men's knit pants could be pur­ chased for $ 11.97 and sports shirts and sweaters for $6.97 at The Base Factory Outlet in Vanastra. A 1973 Buick Century was sell­ ing for $3,395 and a '73 Astre Hatchback, with all the options, could be had for $2,995. FIFTY YEARS AGO April 19,1944 A local man, Scott Fairservice was pictured with the RCAF Over­ seas hockey team which had won the championship. Other members of the team included Milt Schmidt and Bobby Bauer of the famous "Kraut" line on the Boston Bruins. Huron County Warden Fred Wat­ son appealed lo the residents of the county to do their part in the pur­ chase of the Sixth Victory Loans to reach the $2,900,000 quota. The East Wawanosh Farm Forum held a concert and dance at Memo­ rial Hall with all proceeds going to the "Milk for Britain Fund". The Red Cross and St. John Soci­ eties shipped 14,000 musical instruments to prisoners of war. Rumours circulated that Charles Lindbergh had received yellow fever immunization shots in prepa­ ration for an out-of-country mis­ sion. The Navy would not confirm the report. Cary Grant and John Garfield starred in Destination Tokyo at the Lyceum Theatre in Wingham. Number one Timothy seed sold for $4.75 per bushel. Letters Writer seeks info on Grey school THE EDITOR, I am compiling a history of School Section No. 1 Grey. I would be pleased to receive school memories of past students, teachers or those concerned. Thank you. Eleanor Hemingway RR 3, Brussels, Ontario. NOG 1H0 887-6887.