The 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