The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-07-08, Page 7I�l pin'®n a nada has own racial barriers, reaer sasays s Dear )Editor : We ai e always quick to criticize and judge other people but we are often most unwilling to.look at our own actions. Why? Is it guilt we find when we engage in this soul-searching? Is it something we aren't prepared or willing to admit? Or is it . something- society is trying to prevent us from acknowledging? I am writing in response to the "CALLS FOR BAN ON S. AFRICA" article Karen Roberts submitted to the paper. I am not about to profess any new philosophies or theories on life, but I've been taught to try to see things from botI% perspectives. My sociology course this year at WI.0 really instilled this rule in me. I was clearly. shown time and time again how ethnocen- tric our western society is and can be. (Simply put, ethnocentricity is aerm sociologists use when one society places its beliefs, morals and standards above or s'hperior to those of another society. ) I do not condone the actions of the South African government and their system of apartheid. But who are we to run about, wave our posters and shout angry words against another country's "racial" policies? Shouldn't we first take a - good look around ourselves before we make all these accusations? We might even be sur- prised to, find that we too have our sordid history of racial prejudism. Until last winter, I never REALLY knew about the way the Canadian government treated the Japanese Canadians in the 1940's. Due merely to their ethnic origin, these people were condemned to work camps - their families painfully separated, their material assets taken away. In essence, their livelihoods were taken away from them for fear they would betray Canada. Many, of these families were already several generations in Canada. Our native people tell a similar story. Our history books speak of white "vic- tories"- and of Indian "massacres" - a vivid example of prejudism. To make life easier - and more profitable = the "white man" placed the Indian "race" in reserves. There, they have little or no self - .government. To compete in today's 7 economic market (and to subsequently make a living), the Indian people must learn both English andthe ways of the "white" man. One often depicts our native LETTERS people as being a bunch of lazy alcoholics. This negative portrayal is quickly carried over in the job market scene. True, changes are being made but these,,changes are few and far between. The only major difference between" racism here in North America and racial segregation in South Africa is that it is legalized in the latter country, We frown upon such unjust "occurrences" here but do little else to prevent its continuation. Court cases, newspaper and magazine reports, and fining of persons caught exer- cising racial discrimination are common, enough, but have things really changed? We offer "minority groups" financial pay-offs, a few kind words, or we may even throw in a hint of a promise of improve- ment, but the problem usually goes unsolv- ed. We've only succeeded in postponing it - a course of action our Canadian society does so well. When dealing with such social dilemnas, Canada tends to prefer playing the follower rather than the leader. Are we. really doing them a favour in South Africa in banning the sale of their products here in Canada? Blacks as well as whites work in S. African factories, in- dustries, mines and fields. Our actions. af- fect both parties. Neither group can come out a clear winner in their struggle for peace, power and freedom. I'm glad P.M. Thatcher chose not to give in to the "peer pressure" to which our own P.M. Mulreagan (alias Mulroney) was such an easy victim. I'm not attempting to provide any solu- tions to our world-wide racial problems because I lack the knowledge of their ap- plications and amplications. The problem is too complex forsuch a simple solution as banning. I hope I may have opened a few eyes to seeing the problem from a•different light. We all belong, after all, to the same race - the humap race. All other divisions are merely social constructs. Thank -you for your time. Please' write back if you have a different point of view. .Heidi Wick Reader upset with announcements Dear editor, I ain fed up. Last week, commercial advertising in Goderich hit an all-time low. I had just staggered in the door after finishing a long work shift, (Saturday nights are always long) and was just nicely snuggled up to my pillow preparing td spend eight hours swapping spit with my Sealy when a loudspeaker on a car blared out something about where to go for a pancake breakfast and roast beef later on for din din. With all due respect to the Lions Club this is in very poor taste. There are many u rer ways. quiter means of getting your mess across. Please think of the sick and elderly people, and me. I was so startled I bit .into my pillow and got a mouthful of feathers. Please Lions, have a little consideration and pride. ' Now I must commend everyone who con- tributed to our wonderful Canada bay celebrations: Unfortunately, there was only one minor slip up in the parade and this was the lacement of a flatbed trailer loaded witlstudents trying hard to play musical in- struments. What's wrong with that you ask? -Absolutely nothing; except directly behind this float 'was an old steam 'engine com- peting with about 22 different whistles. Talk about competition for the ears. Poor plann- ing, poor students and poor spectators try- ing to. listen. Now I must go and take something for my throbbing head: I have been having terrible nightmares and last night I dreamt I swallowed a giant marshmallow and when I awoke, my pillow was gone. 1 just don't understand. ' GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1987—PAGE 7 THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVAL ASSOCIATIN proudly presents THE CODERICH ]60th ANNIVERSARY TIGER DUNLOP DAYS "GLUMDUB-DUB CO\1PETITION 99 (A Contest for Home. -Constructed Vessels) Saturday, August 1st at approximately 3:30 p.m. Town Beach, Goderich Contestants Please Note: Entries must be forwarded no Tater than Satur- day, July 25th to George Woodall, Secretary, RCNA Huron County, 30 Britannia Road E., Goderich, Ontario. For More Information phone 524-7568. UNICEF raises $1.7 million during fiscal year Pete Henry Dear Sir: On behalf of the Ontario UNICEF Cm- mittee and the hundreds of volunteers across the province who organize our year- ly programs, I would like to thankthe media, and the people of Ontario for their. very generous support during the past year. During the, fiscal year ended March, 1987, UNICEF Ontario raised a total of $1,700,000 through the efforts of the children who collected at Halloween, and adult supporters who purchased Unicef cards and gifts and made personal donations. 'These funds will go directly towards UNICEF's work providing health care, basic education, nutrition and clean drink- ing water to the world's most needy children and their families. The public support received in Ontario has enabled UNICEF to dramatically reduce -child mortality in many developing countries with nroerarns-.i.ncluding...child- SOMETHING NEW AND XCITING Is HAPPENING AT MURPHY'S! A �TIZERS �E � N1 tattuoas oNE 4 Au ppP��, - 63.89 / Goderich 160th Anniversary/Tiger Dunlop Days BABY/TODDLER' CONTEST CONTEST DEADLINE - ON OR BEFORE JULY 17, 1987 HOW TO ENTER: Drop off two recent photographs of your child at the Goderich Tourist Bureau, 59 Victoria St. S., along with the registration form below. Pictures must be of the child being entered in the contest only. There will not be a Twin Category this year but individual pic- tures of each baby can . be entered separately. The bureau is open 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. daily. CATEGORIES: 0-12 Months Girls, 0-12 MonthsBoy 1-3 years Girl, 1-3 Years Boy NAME AGE SEX. PARENTS PHONE ADDRESS HAIR COLOUR EYE COLOUR INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT BABY *There will also be Best Decorated riage Categories FOR MORE INFORMATION 524-2022 Sun Hat and Best Decorated Stroller/Car- PLEASE PHONE SUSAN STUART AFTER 5:00 PM immunization; oral rehydratapn therapy and the promotion of breast feeding. As we begin a new year we would like to impress upon the people of Ontario the im- portance of their . continued support. Our beautiful selection of year-round greeting cards and gift items are on sale now. They make wonderful gifts for graduation, bir- thdays and anniversaries, as well as car- rying a message of hope for the world's children. • Thank you, Onta.rio, for helping UNICEF to give the children a tomorrow" - If you would like to find out more about the work of UNICEF, becorne a volunteer or support our fund-raising programs, please contact the Ontario Unicef Committee, 333 Eglinton Avenue E., Toronto, Ontario, M4P 1L7 or call (41fi) 487-4153. • Sincerely yours, -1 Elizabeth Haig Provincial Chairman ( Volunteer ) Ontario•Unicef Committee A LITTLE MORE INTERNATIONAL A LOT MORE GOOD' ER Be the first on your block to sample our exciting new 8 page Lunch and Dinner Merriu. Now you're talking class! MURPHY'S PUB 360 Bayfield Rd., Goderich 524-2128 CHERRIES Pick You Own,,,. MONTMORENCY CHERRIES Great for Pies, Jams & Freezing CaII ahead for crop update and availability. "Bring your own containers" Our Own Fresh Sweet Corn Now Available. LASSALINE '.� Farm Market and Orchards 5.6 miles south of Goderich (Past the Drive -In) concession 3 & 4 of t ®derlch 'Rip. Follow t'he Signs 524-7772 Get Your Car Ready For Sutimer V;ajoh!irik 0%4foi Come See The BOSS! [kr EXHAUST r' ' RE -CORED RADIATORS Reg. $140. and up f i -SHOCKS, Cars Reg. $49.95 Trucks Reg. $59.95 H BRAKES, Rear Reg. $69.95 Front Reg. $64.95 most cars H° OIL, LUBE & FILTER Reg. $19.95 ifr?' FRONT END ['GET YOUR RAD FLUSHED Reg. 839.95 H RE -MANUFACTURED GAS TANKS Reg. $139.95 INSTALLED i fir COIL SPRINGS, Reg. $109.95 & up MUFFLERS, Reg. 842.40 & up f' `BEET' RUNNING BOARDS Reg. $200. INSTALLED SPRINGS, Coil & Leaf Reg. 5129.95 & up VACATION READINESS SPECIAL 10°'° OFF, STOREWIDE Offer Expires Friday, July 31st, 1987. f-.--014A,:rte w► PAI LIFETIME GUARANTEE WE'VE GOT THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS men ....._.....rnufftercentre 191Walnut Street, Goderich. 524-4200 Behind the New Suncoast Ford OPEN Monday - Friday 8 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday 8 am - 2 pm