Those, who like Bambi, come from countries that have been torn by sectarianism know very well where modern forms of tribalism can lead.
Of note, Lebanon has a word for (institutionalized) sectarianism, called El Taifia, and it specifically applies to religious sects or affiliations/identities. However, the world is still not as upside down in Lebanon as it is in Canada (even though this country is sadly collapsing while struggling for its existence). Lebanese people lucidly know (when they do not want to forget…), deep inside of themselves, that El Taifia is destructive because it is socially toxic and potentially highly explosive.
After listening to the brilliant words of Dr. Pardy (thanks to his clever interviewer, Ms. Kate Wand), Bambi came to the conclusion that not only she doesn’t mind, but she is actually proud, to be called “racist” if it is by those who have endorsed distorted views of a concept as important as racism. She means by that the definition of this word or the new norm of the so-called anti-racism or anti-phobia (whichever its prefix), that perhaps comes down to an obsession with group identities or sub-identities (like colour/races/religions/sex/gender, etc.).
Stated differently, Bambi is convinced that respect of all (or humanity towards all) is the best antidote to racism and to any other form of discrimination or injustice in our world. Perhaps it all starts with a simple yet priceless ingredient called self-respect. The latter naturally extends to respecting others. Perhaps it is the same for love? And maybe also the same for peace?
For Bambi, each person she encounters in life is unique (she has been blessed to meet so many amazing people over the past 6/7 months that have enriched her life in one way or another. Thanks to each one of them). Before and beyond this period of her life, each character of each person [or other deer :)] she has meet or will meet in the future is unique. Each story of each character is also unique. Failing to see the richness of this uniqueness is a loss of a lifetime opportunity to learn from and grow with/through the experiences or relationships with others. In other terms, this can be a dead end to personal growth, to the joys of human love, and to opportunities of laughter in social interactions… and what is life without (genuine) love and a sense of humour?
To conclude with a touch of humour proving her point, and if your own sense of humour has not been surgically removed yet (with much political correctness), here is a potentially funny short video for you… Well, maybe not for you but it made Bambi laugh :). Thank you Marc & Nico in this Marc Hachem video on food and table manners between two friends in Montreal (entitled: ” What happens when you pit JAPAN against LEBANON? Clash of cultures or perfect match”?).
My habitual starting point is sympathy for the suffering (most of the time). And that would also include an effort to transform structures if they contribute to unnecessary suffering. But I also feel that there’s something wrong with so-called “woke” ideology and that there are destructive elements already built into the thought process. I believe Bambi is onto something here. I just can’t put my finger on it exactly yet. The devil is in the detail, as they used to say. For now, thank you, Bambi, for making me think.