HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-11-09, Page 4PAG +i _GODERICU SIGNALATAR, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, I
DAVE
SYFCES
cir
4'
If there was a theme or buys word'tilat
would capture the flavour of the 19900 and
probably 19905, It would have to be equality.
The word equality is fairly representativee
of the struggles of many groups, plop
minorities.
However, equality has gained notoriety
for its flagrant misuse by the female
population at large. Equality, they suggest,
els sadly
in hie for met. in
just don't
take thein seriously.
In part, women have just cause to cry
"foul" and point an accusing finger. They
should be treated as equal partners, be
allotted equal pay for equal work and clean
the house, watch the kids and the do the
dishes and laundry on the weekend. Let's be
fair about this arrangement gentlemen.
To tell you the truth, these days I'm not
sure whether or not social customs dictate
that I open doors for women, treat them with
respect, lay my coat down over muddy
puddles and place ray fragile bod in front of
speeding vehicles.
At one time, women -expected that sort of
preferred treatment.
Now, I may be labelled a sentimental
sexist for -engaging in such outdated social
practices. Is equality to mean that women
can open their own doors; they can stomp in
puddles in opentoed shoes if that is their
desire and generally they can function in the
world on equal terms without preferential
treatment.
Quite Often, sexism is an inherent trait,
passed on down from father to son through
the role model process,. Mothers tended to
play their role mode] as homemakers and
mothers and similar behaviour was ex-
pected
apected of daughters. Sons were, therefore,
expected to act like their fathers, or
someone elses father, depending on the
circtunstance.
Fids grew up with role models and certain
behaviour was expected of a child depen-
ding on their sex. But now, researchers say
that little boys are less sexist than girls.
That's right. We're changing with the
times, baby while girls are having problems
breaking the mold They continue to play
with dolls and play hpuse and other boring
things.
But these days, boys between the ages of 3
and 5 aremuch more liberated than girls.
Girls' play choices have not varied over
the years and researchers found they do the
same things -get involved with art projects
and play house or dolls.
Boys, however, have expanded their
horizons and are experiencing new things.
Aside from the traditional male past times
of playing with building blocks, playing with
sand and mudanti pia with toy care they
are ala° dabbling in p y.ing. house and dolls.
Art projects are Still on the outs with boys.
The boys have altered their behaviour by
the age of three and that is probably.dlrectly
related to the equality issue. More women
are in the work force and boys are more
likely to see their father shopping, doing the
dashers and helping out with the house work.
Little girls do not play with trucks and
blocks because they rarely see their mother
engaged in such activity.
Isn't it blatantly obvious that amen are
much more resilient and receptive of
change. Historically, boys have been
regarded as the noisier, more active and
boisterous sex. But, alas, our roles are
changing in society and we accept that
change with much glee and resignation.
We are expanding our horizons and we
shall be better persons for it.
THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT
SINCE 1848
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number 0716
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1983
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Is the service necessary
The annual Remembrance Day service is indeed very
necessary. How else would people, like myself, who were
born aft the World Wars and the Korean War be made
aware of and understand the sacrifices made on our
behalf. Especially at these services we remember with
gratitude all those who have laid down their .lives in
service of their country. "They shall grow not old as we
that are left grow old" is often quoted at Remembrance
Day services. It's English author, Lawrence Binyon, was
disillusioned with human society by the outbreak of World
War I. Yet he lived to see the world plunged into the
maelstrom of World War II.
Today, with the huge build-up of armaments, especially
of nuclear weapons, it is so easy to despair of the future.
Our Canada is benevolent and intelligent, yet there is still
corruption and crime and unfairness. We have it
presented to us daily through our news media. I'm sure all
surviving veterans remain deeply perplexed why this
modern era is so filled with their rebellion and lack of
forgivness and, above all, the unwillingness to understand
that in the past our nation was required to make the
personal sacrifice it did.
We must remember always that we rob our honoured
The poppy - a
When I was younger, 1 did not realize what the poppy
represented. I thought it was simply something you wort:
to celebrate a special holiday. Before long I found out it is
a symbol of peace and courage, a symbol to remind us of
the heroes of our country who died to give us the freedom
we have today.
The poppy also brings to mind Flanders Fields where
this flower blooms and gently sways in the breeze, while
standing guard over the graves of the soldiers buried
there. It quietly salutes the 100,000 Canadians who never
returned from the wars because they gave up the precious
gift of life so that we might enjoy peace in our country.
The bright red colour of the poppy is a silent reminder of
the young blood that was spilled in the battlefields in the
giving of this gift.
The poppy not only reminds me of the ones who died, but
also of the ones who came back with the sad memories of a
cruel war. It also helps me think of the wives and children
who somehow had to go on living without a husband or
father.
But above all, this red symbol makes me aware of the
wonderful gift "Canada" has been to me. When I arrived
from Vietnam, my new country welcomed me with a gift
of freedom, without the worry about war. I now have the
dead and surviving veterans of victory unless we carry on
the race, pursue the struggle and do what they would have
done to make this a better world so that the seeds that
breed new wars will find no fertile ground.
Joining veterans in attendance at Remembrance ser-
vices is a tangible way of expressing our thankfulness,
gratitude and appreciation for the peace and freedom so
many take for granted.
Remembrance Day should not become just another
holiday, but must remain a day of memorial, a day of
meeting, an opportunity for us to examine our own lives to
find out whether we are worthy of the sacrifices made on
our behalf and to determine our own commitment to world
peace.
Attending a Remembrance service may jog our
memory and help rekindle in us the sense of unity the
wartime Canadians knew. At this time, when everyone
wears a poppy and stands in silence, it is like "thank you"
to those who fought and died for us. We honour their
memory and cherish the freedom they bought so dearly.
Remembrance is a golden chain,
Death tries to break but all in vain.
Icy morn'
By Dave Sykes.
,. . .. - , -, w,
DEAR READERS
SHIRLEY FELLER
peace symbol
of
freedom to enjoy all the good things I received. I can go to
school to learn what I choose, and not just what the
government tells me I must learn. I can now go to the
church of my choice and worship without fear. I have the
security now that I will not be conscripted into the army
when I am of age. I can look forward to a bright and
successful future.
As a new Canadian I proudly wear my poppy on
Remembrance Day and take a little time, along with the
other Canadians, to say "thank you", with a prayer that
this freedom will last forever. This poppy reminds me to
work to guard this peace and freedom, because the men
who died so we could live freely, would not want even one
person to die in a war again. It calls me to develop a sense
of responsibility, to work for understanding and good will
everywhere, so there will be a better future for all. In this
way we can add our voices to those of the veterans and
say:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Luu Ngo-Estevan, Saskatchewan.
Reading the daily paper each morning can be a
dreadful experience, especially for folks who live
in pretty, peaceful Goderich. Here I am, at home
having my second cup of coffee, preparing my
heart and mind for a day at work. I'm reading
The London Free Press for Tuesday, November
8.
Right there in the bottom left hand corner is a
photo of Cardinal G. Emmett Carter of the
Roman Catholic Church. He's been challenged
by 14 Roman Catholic Liberal and New
Democratic Party MPPs for his involvement in a
major fund-raising dinner for Premier William
Davis.
Cardinal Carter wasn't available for comment
on the whole affair - in fact, he's away and hasn't
seen the letter as yet. Chances are though, that
the outspoken Carter will have some plausible
explanation for his presence at the Tory dinner
. other than political affiliation. Everyone
knows, doesn't everyone, that the entire Roman
Catholic population is Liberal? It's written in the
British North America Act or soinething I think.
Also I see that the British Columbia public
school teachers are on strike this day, throwing
as many as 460,000 students into the streets. The
issues are job security and seniority.
And it's only the beginning. Sounds like
employees of crown corporations, hospital
workers and others will follow suit. Premier
William Bennett's Social Credit government has
riled the public sector where the government
plans to cut back.
Do you wonder who will win out? So do 1. I'm
willing to wager the real winner won't be known
for a day or two on this one.
And the United States is assembling a navy
war force off the coast of Lebanon. Quite natural -
ly, Yasser Arafat isn't impressed. He's vowed a
fight to the death.
I'm reminded now of the two sides here in
Canada - the one saying it's criminal that we let
the USA fight all our battles for us like a bunch of
wimps; the other saying the USA is a war
mongering nation liking nothing better than to
push its weight around where it is not invited.
Sometimes I wonder exactly where I fit in. But
most days I just read it ... and forget it. Lebanon
is a long way from Goderich, isn't it?
Things are in a real mess in Grenada too. Peo-
ple I know who have been to that island simply
can't believe the strife there ... much less the
story about a mass grave containing the bodies
of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and up to 150
other victims of a military coup. What kind of a
world do we live in?
I note that while welfare benefits are to be
bumped by five percent as of January 1, 1984, the
minimum wage ruling is expected to be no in-
crease from the $3.50 per hour until at least
March ... and maybe later than that.
Wait a minute here. At $3.50 per hour fot 40
hours, someone working his tail off five days a
week makes $140 per week or $560 per month?
Welfare benefits, according to many who seem
to know, are reported to be on a par ... and rising.
Isn't something wrong in our system when it
makes better economic sense to sit home than to
work? But that's not news.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mila and Brian
Mulroney are spending a fortune on Stornoway
even though they don't intend to live there more
than a few months. They plan to move into the
Prime Minister's residence just as soon after the
next election as possible .... wouldn't you think
they'd be content to put up with a small bit of in-
convenience for a few months? And give the tax-
payers a break? Let the new Liberal opposition
leader get the bad press for renovating on
government funds.
Speaking of Liberals, I see Pierre Trudeau is
off on another peace mission, but he isn't too
hopeful. He's going to see six leaders 'of world
powers plus Pope John Paul in the Vatican.
Wonder what the bill will be for that little jaunt
... and if President Ronald Reagan, who is said to
heartily approve of PET's peace parade, is too
busy deploying fighting troops to the world's
trouble spots to lend much support.
A couple of speeches from the Canada Tomor-
row conference in Ottawa made the news ... the
dirty jokes of Independent Senator Ed Lawson
got almost as much ink as the dire warning of
Jean -Jacques Servan-Schreiber (that name'A
quite a multi -cultural banquet isn't it?) who says
if the world doesn't get ready for the impending
technological changes, we will be in crisis within
five years.
On the lighter side, charges have been laid
against the former operator at Three Mile Island
where there was a nuclear accident in 1979;
Peter Demeter, charged with counselling to
commit murder, arson and abduction, has been
denied bail; an Ottawa man was sentenced to
two years for drowning a two and a half year old
child; and a London woman was sentenced to 15
months for stealing $1,342 from her employer.
Now after all this, I'm expected to arrive at
work buoyant, positive and enthusiastic about
the future. I'm expected to write an insightful
column which shows a way out of the maze. I'm
expected to be creative and inspired.
It's a tall order. Even for someone from pretty,
peaceful Goderich.
When detergent or cereal is sold, the
advertising elaborates on what the product
will do for the consumer; it does not ask us
to buy because the manufacturer needs
more profit. When a real estate agent shows
a house to a prospective buyer, he em-
phasizes the features which are of special
attraction to the lifestyle of that particular
family; he does not implore the couple to
close the deal because the realtor needs the
commission or because successful sales
would be good for his ego.
When we buy a dress or a suit, the sales.
points out to us the good things the garment
does for us - how it slims the waistline or
goes nicely with the complexion or how its
givversatility stand lenjoyableylity of fabric will
wear.. Nobody in
give us long
his right mind would demand that we buy
the garment because the store owner has to
reduce his inventory.
We know how to advertise and sell
products and how to^create a market for new
tines. Why does this simple and so very
basic understanding leave us when it is a
question of selling the idea of learning a
language?
By creating an artificial atmosphere of
forced and instant bilingualism we are only
extending the national pastime of language
uproar, of arguing over demographic
figures, of repeated charges and coun-
tercharges of "bigotry", "loss of cultural
identity", creating "national unity", and all
such rhetoric so far removed from the living
rooms and kitchens of families across the
country.
How unrealistically silly it is to tell a
person in Goderich or Bayfield that he must
learn French because it is sure to make a
difference in Quebec electionss��
French vocabulary will
bute to
national unity - or that it is his patriotic duty
to worry about French grammar, in order to
preserve French culture.
Why not use the rational and tested
methods of selling detergents, real estate
and garments? When we encourage
students to go into computer technology
because there are future promises in the
field, everybody understands the ad-
vantages and the importance of such studies
for the students themselves, not for the
computers.
Why not develop a positive and solid
educational approach to learning another
language, in a realistic and meaningful way
throughout the school system? Such a
comprehensive language program would
leave all the other rhetoric, with linguistic
and cultural divisions, completely behind; it
would develop an understanding of the
advantages for the person who does the
learning and thus broadens his own culture
and outlook. If anyone's "cultural identity"
falls to bits because he adds another
language to his repertoire, it was not much
of a culture to start with.
I am taking this second look at the
philosophy of languages, because someone
read into my recent thoughts on
"allophones" indications that I do not take
the "importance of learning French in
Canada" suitably seriously. I trust
thatthe
person meant also the "importance
of
learning English in Canada".
It is entirely impossible for me to un-
derstand how someone would want to
belittle any language anywhere or why it is
necessary for individuals or groups of
people with different backgrounds. to turn
languages into battlegrounds dripping of
accusations which have nothing to do with
linguistic capabilities.
The endless arguments over "rights"
reduce the pleasure of learning a language
and cloud its importance in an educated
person's life. I dislike the tyranny of Bi11101
in Quebec as much as 1 am put off by the
artificially sustained "guilt" and sub-
mission to demagoguery elsewhere. I do
support and promote I he rink riches
es of
languages. That is why
we
should borrow from the methods of selling
detergents and real estate. It works.
ELSA HAYDON