“Here are the two brightest statements I have heard about racism.
Martin
Luther King: “I dream of the day when children will not be judged by the
color of their skin, but by their character. “
Morgan
Freeman: “The best way to fight racism is to stop talking about it. I
will not tell you that you are a white man, and I will ask you to stop saying
that I am a black man. “
RACE EVERYWHERE
Before, when the virus of political correctness and identity politics had not yet infected people, and when universities encouraged debate instead of protecting “little rabbits” [this is how Mr. Martineau calls/teases the Millennials” in his texts] from “bad thoughts”, anti-racists dreamed of a world where race didn’t matter.
A white man was like a black man and a black man was like a white man.
Today, some anti-racists have elevated race to the rank of a supreme identity marker.
Not only do these activists see race everywhere, but they only see that.
Race, race, race.
For them, race explains everything. It is the be-all and end-all of our identity.
It determines whom we are.
Unlike Martin Luther King, they do not judge people by their character, actions or ideas, but by the colour of their skin.
There would be a black way of thinking. A black way of viewing the world. A black way to vote. A black way of loving [Bambi will allow herself to add her own voice to the text here: as if there was one single group of blacks and they all have to think the same].
It’s funny, that’s exactly what some racists think: that there is a black “essence” that distinguishes blacks from whites.
Unlike the anti-racists of my youth, these new anti-racists do not want to abolish the concept of race. They want to magnify it, celebrate it, sublimate it.
Make it essential. Expand it until it takes up all the space.
I vote for someone because she is black. I listen to another person’s records because he is black, etc.
A TRAITOR TO HER RACE?
This week, on the QUB radio show (called “We don’t have to agree”), Varda said that, for her, the idea that black people should encourage black-owned businesses does not seem like the best way to fight racism.
Result: she was harshly attacked by activists on social media.
As if she were a “traitor to her race”.
As if there was only one way to be black!
As if black people should all think the same, all vote on the same side, etc.!
I’m sure Morgan Freeman would shake his head with sadness when he will hear these anti-racists speak. He would find their speech absurd, ridiculous.
Because Freeman does not consider himself a “good black actor”. But a “good actor, period”.
A HUMAN
George Floyd was killed because he was black. When his killer looked at him, that’s what he saw. Not an individual, but a black.
Now, when we saw Floyd being murdered in the middle of the street, we saw a human being dying before our eyes.
Mr. Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada (+ a couple
of his peers, Federal Ministers who behave more like a Council of junior high
school students sometimes), participated in an “anti-racist” demonstration in
Ottawa this afternoon.
Here is just one of the many media articles about this
story, in addition to Mr. Trudeau’s own official Tweeter account:
The picture above, which will surely soon tour the
world, speaks volume about the self-righteousness of our political elites.
It is also sadly a prelude to the dark years ahead of
us, both as a country and as a world full of radicalism and lack of substance.
Mr. Trudeau is just the symptom of where we are at in Canada
today and in our world.
He was at a demonstration organized by radicalized (not just “racialized”) groups. With his presence and theatre, he is encouraging the radicalization of our youth ☹.
Once again, this is no longer about Mr. George Floyd,
sadly ☹.
Some forces (unclear whom) have been politically using
this tragic story of police lynching to weaken our neighbouring country, Bambi
is afraid.
Mr. Trudeau with his theatre of silence, the other day, and posture today is shamelessly encouraging these forces.
At that demonstration, we can hear in the videos circulating
in the mainstream media people chanting anti-American (i.e. precisely anti-Trump)
slogans. He was there and his presence appeared to endorse.
When he knelt to the ground, was this genuine? Or just
another political drama?
Does he realize the meaning of his words, silences,
and postures?
Does he realize that whatever forces are trying to destabilize the United States to make it fall, Canada will fall with it (+ the Western world)?
We are doomed if he realizes it and does it on
purpose.
We are doomed if he does not realize it.
Mr. Trudeau, during the railway crisis, Bambi posted that, even if she has voted for you the first time (and historically almost always for your party), she thinks that you are perhaps the worst PM of Canada. Well, today, you have proved her wrong.
Mr. Ouellette was “a real joker, a handy man, a
good dancer, and a go-to man”, as his son Michel said.
He also seems to have had a good taste in hockey: a fan
of the Montreal Canadiens, as per the lovely screenshot picture above.
Bambi cannot help not to think of Henri, her friend Rita’s beloved uncle who lost his battle to covid-19 in Montreal in April (he was also in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease).
Bambi has dedicated a short dance video produced by the famous Caracalla Lebanese dance group during the lockdown to him, as a tribute from his country of birth. The latter also had a tough day with 50 new cases of covid-19 (after just a couple here and there), 42 cases in the same village infected by a repatriated expatriate who did not follow the health authorities’ instructions (quarantined herself for just 7 days only):
Today, if she may, Bambi would like to dedicate the following beautiful hockey moment to Mr. Ouellette. Bambi does not know if his favourite team had won this game. However, she recalls having enjoyed hearing Mme Ginette Reno singing our national anthem. Well, for you Mr. Ouellette, she will imagine that the Canadians had won following this nice singing moment!
May you rest in peace/“Que votre âme repose en paix”.
If this is Ms. Mohammad’s second visit to Sackville only, perhaps she should not be so self-righteous about our community?
Had she looked just across the street, she would have seen the delicious pizza place owned and managed by a Lebanese-Canadian family.
Around the corner, we have other delicious restaurants with ethnic food (South Korean, Italian, Japanese, Chinese a little bit further down, etc.).
Had she driven by the Bridge Street exist, she would have come across the business of a big entrepreneur in town also of Lebanese origins. This without mentioning the university’s, hospital’s, and schools’ own diversity.
As per the title of this post, everyone is busy earning a living or helping sustain the economy in pandemics. This even if everyone also and naturally wants our world to be free of violence, respectful, and welcoming to all.
Bambi does not know about others but she also hopes to keep seeing our community free of the coronavirus. Despite masks, are demonstrations across towns the wisest idea now?
The last time Bambi checked, climate change was the
hot topic in our town/country.
Today, it seems to be “systematic” racism.
Who is funding these demonstrations across our country?
Bambi’s own hypothesis is that all this may not be about the brutality to Mr.
Floyd at all, sadly ☹.
It may not be about Canada even. Just like climate change radicalism maybe, but
that’s her own personal hypothesis.
Anyhow, Bambi is not talking about the well-meaning
folks on the streets of Sackville for sure. However, without realizing it, all
these demonstrations are tools serving other purposes.
Who gains from politically using a tragedy like the torture/death
of Mr. Floyd ☹?
Or is it the long confinement and boredom that is pushing
people on the streets?
Who is with torture/brutality? Who is all for racism?
Do you know anyone who would be?
Why are we radicalizing our thoughts/ourselves like
that then, bringing the American issues to us?
The New Wark Times article refers to Ms. Robyn
Maynard. Bambi has expressed her thoughts about Ms. Maynard last year: For her,
this speaker was not the wisest choice made. She was not of high calibre like
the other much stronger speakers.
Ms. Maynard lectured us on “our” racism whilst she is a
stranger to the Maritimes and to our small town.
She knows nothing about our provincial social development
sector, our health sector, our schools, our police services, etc.
It is no secret to anyone that Bambi is not “local”,
even if she considers herself a proud Maritimer and surely a proud Canadian.
Although we are far from being perfect (no country, no
entity, and no human beings are), we are NOT systematically racist. Saying the
opposite would be delusional… or we would be once again emptying words from
their meaning.
We do not have systematic racist regulations (based on
race, etc.). We do not systematically discriminate, as Mr. Trudeau has unwisely
said.
Yes, some individuals here and there may be racist but this is not institutionalized.
In order to state something like that, perhaps our PM must assess it first and not repeat silly clichés or force his cliché into our brains. If he does not measure his soc-called systematic racism, perhaps it would be wiser to refrain from lecturing us about it.
To come back to Ms. Maynard, contrary to her, Bambi knows the attitude and the relations of Canadians/Maritimers with her own family members. For instance, she is involved in 2-3 different cultural or multicultural associations. She has diversity under her own roof and in her own/larger family (with over 8 different religions, some historically not getting along well). So, please give us a break Ms. Maynard and Ms. Lerch.
Bambi also knows how welcoming New Brunswickers are for
having been, with her spouse, foster parents for youth from all backgrounds,
including the African continent. They have also acted as host parents too.
Sackville and Moncton (+ Amherst) are the MOST welcoming and generous regions of Canada. The latter is a wonderful country… but it is being ruined in front of our eyes ☹.
Last bur surely not the least, Bambi and surely Ms.
Marilyn Lerch, if the latter recalls from their encounter in the United Church at
the memorial for the deceased mother of a friend in town (newcomers, escaping
from the Middle East). All the attendants were from different villages/towns from
NB and NS. Most were observant Muslims (clearly from their conservative
outfit). Once again, Sackvillians, including Ms. Lerch herself, showed their tolerance,
generosity and loving care to Bambi’s new friends.
Of note, Sackville welcomed this beautiful family first.
Then, later, the uncle who thank God managed to join them. Sackville also welcomed
another family from Syria and at least two others from Africa. Is this systematic
racism? Is this unconscious bias? Is this a micro-aggressive act of racism?
Bambi is still in contact with one of our Syrian
families who left us to another province (she acted as a translator. Now she
calls herself a friend). This amazing family is FULL of gratitude for Sackville
and its people, churches, university/students, official town.
If Sackville and Canada were systematically racist,
would they be full of gratitude like that?
If they hear about this demonstration, they will be surprised
and they may find Canadians being ridiculous, just like Bambi.
Before concluding this post, we learned tonight that a
former politician resigned from the Board of Directors of Telus for having said
that there was no systematic racism in Canada:
We are collectively becoming insane Bambi is afraid,
not systematically racist.
So, no Mr. Ivan Okello and Ms. Lerch (or perhaps your favourite politicians too), there is NO systematic racism in Canada. Saying the opposite would be not only false or silly narrative, it would be a crime in the long-term, if we Lebanonize Canada ☹.
Doing this to ourselves is precisely what made Bambi
escape from when she immigrated to Canada…
His name is Dr. Elmer Melvin Tory (1928-2020), Professor Emeritus in mathematics and computer science
at Mount Allison University.
His grieving family members are his “son Kevin
(Christine), grandsons Pavel and Michael, and several nieces and nephews”. “He
was predeceased by his wife Audrey, sisters Marjorie Tory and Lucile Peacock,
brothers Alan and Cecil, and daughter Heather Austin”: https://www.jonesfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/146729
Whilst lighting a candle for him, the hearts of Bambi and her spouse go to his family members’ hearts… May he rest in peace.
To honour him, Mount
Allison University lowered its flag to half-mast today, thank you.
All those who have
known him in our town are sad today.
Dr. Tory has enriched his field of research (“sedimentation of polydisperse suspensions”, publishing scientific “articles into his 80s”). He taught and mentored generations of students. He also invested time and energy, contributing to make his beloved university the best workplace it can be. For instance, he served on several university committees and acted in many roles within the Mount Allison University’s community (as a university as well as in the union of professors, called the Mount Allison Faculty Association or MAFA). This in addition to also having acted as the President of the Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations.
All the above is a
source of inspiration, thank you Dr. Elmer Tory!
However, perhaps even more meaningful than all this fantastic professional legacy is the humanity of Dr. Tory…. The “Elmer” whom Bambi and her spouse met 10-12 years ago. He was their (MAFA) party friend, so to speak. Celebration after celebration, term after term, they spent time chatting with him and sometimes laughing :). Elmer had a beautiful sense of humour in addition to his sharp mind and gentle presence. He was fun and everyone was fond of him, including them.
Obviously, we are
all going where Elmer went on May 27, 2020. It is called death and it is an integral
part of life.
We die, for sure, but when we do so, it is our reputation that remains eternal, transcending death (through memory). It is the human part of Dr. Tory that will be missed perhaps the most… The next MAFA parties will not be the same without you Elmer ☹ .
Bambi recalls how you once joked after your last birthday, telling us “that you have relatives who lived beyond 100 years. So, perhaps you have those good genes (for longevity)”.
You surely had the
“genes” of humanity/sweetness, so to speak.
Thank you for whom
you have been… Rest in peace now, please.
Ok, that was Rania in Beirut. Bambi will virtually jump to Dubai (United Arab Emirates) now to wish her nephew Michael a Happy Birthday! Yes, the latter was born on his aunty Rania’s birthday :). Bambi was blessed to see him at Christmas, right before the pandemic. She is proud of him big time! Below you can partly see why (article/interview featuring him). The other part is simply beyond words… This smart/talented young man is a beautiful soul with a BIG heart. He is humble, generous, down to earth, etc. Did Bambi forget anything about him? As you can notice below, he is handsome too :).
“Managing Expectations” (published by “Diaryforyourstory” on January 1, 2019)
Mr. Michael Doghlass
“Young. Enthusiast. Aspiring banker. Michael Doghlass, a corporate banker at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, thrives to keep climbing up the success ladder as a young man. Born and raised in Canada, Doghlass does not only consider himself a Canadian citizen but also a citizen of the world. “There is no geographical area that would limit me,” he says. He is a 24-year old adventurer who contemplates meeting people from different educational and cultural backgrounds: a benefit to his personal growth.
“I
decided to come to Dubai to discover what the corporate life is all about. I
fell in love with the city,” he reveals.
Doghlass
graduated from the Lebanese American University with a B.S. in Economics. He,
then, mastered in International Business at Grenoble Ecole de Management
University. Throughout his life, Doghlass always had the mentality of “I want
to keep learning”. For that, he decided to visit Dubai during that summer and
go for an internship at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
Being a
graduate from one of the top business schools in the world, he did not aim to
want it all at the beginning. “For me, planning your objectives and not setting
your expectations too high are two of the most important things”, he states.
One could say that managing the expectations of his parents, clients, and his
surroundings is one of Doghlass’s hobbies.
Expectations.
Expectations. Expectations.
Doghlass
is aware that he is in for a treat. With trying new places and learning new
cultures, one would assume that adapting would be hard. In this case, he took
his new experience one-step at a time, until adapting became a piece of cake.
Doghlass continues, “I am currently working in the Large Corporate Department.
I manage accounts that have a turnover of 500 million and above, some of the
biggest accounts in Dubai.” “This came in after the hard work and overtime
hours that I have put in to get to where I am,” he adds.
Expectations
is a word that people often tend to “look” at with high standards as they
believe that there is a minimum target one should fulfill. As this happens,
some might neglect the more important things in their own lives. It is always a
dilemma of setting own goals and objectives all while trying to hit the
expectations of bosses, parents, and surroundings.
“To me,
it is not about the goals or targets. It is about the expectations, just the
right amount of dosage,” states Doghlass. However, on another note, individuals
should not let all of their targeted roads be based on goals and objectives.
Expectations allow the mindset of a person to be at ease within himself and his
entourage. If expectations at work for a newbie were to complete tasks that seniors
are doing, then the management would have been disappointed. Doghlass says, “I
told myself that everything above my own expectations was an achievement to
myself.”
Doghlass’s
parents did not have expectations that he would get the job in Dubai. When he
got to Lebanon, he didn’t come back unhappy if he didn’t get the job. He wasn’t
even worried about what his close ones’ reaction would be. “All what I was
doing was a plus to my objectives and goals,” declares Doghlass.
“I
strategize my future one step at a time, I do not jump steps. If I jump, I will
not be setting myself firmly in the best way.”
Shifting
a little bit towards his educational period of time, Doghlass was asked to be
the valedictorian of his graduating class at Grenoble Ecole de Management
University. “When I knew that I was going to give the graduation speech, I was
very happy,” he states. He was hesitant at first since he was the only one
giving a speech out of around 200 students.
“I am
managing expectations,” says Doghlass firmly.
Steps
That Matter
When
asked “What’s next?” Doghlass stressed on the fact that it is important for him
to grow personally. He believes that if he stays in the same place, he will not
be able to grow in the way that he wants to. “I was introduced to the Head of Corporate
at the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank. I wanted to feel the vibe and learn more
about how the work flows”, he says.
At this
point, Doghlass gives credit to his boss. “Every day my boss used to take time
out of his work to thoroughly help me answer all of my concerns and develop
further my knowledge,” admits Doghlass.
He is
known to be a thorough observer. What helped him the most, it is the fact that
he used to take notes about everything his bosses used to say. “I wanted to
learn the best out of each senior,” tells Doghlass.
Doghlass
worked long-hard hours to prove himself and his capabilities. He created a need
for himself at the Bank. His dream was to stay there and he wanted to learn
more. The managing team found a loophole to have him among them.
Doghlass
states, “I want to build on my resume that I am a loyal employee. Here, I am
able to learn.”
He
believes that learning is the key to keep on growing and developing personally
and professionally. Since his Grenoble Ecole de Management graduation, Doghlass
did not stop to ameliorate himself. He is still studying to land a
certification in Investment Banking: Mergers and Acquisitions from the New York
Institute of Finance. He has already completed four out of six courses. He
reveals that the courses are very tough. In that context, Doghlass always tries
to find a few hours after work to study and sit for his exams. “This is what is
helping me grow,” he confirms.
Humorous
Insight
What
distinguishes the young generation from the old is the fact that they tend to
try to do it all. This upcoming era of individuals create humor and fun moments
from nothing. Imagine if your name coincides with a major famous actor: Michael
Doghlass! Well, what are the odds? According to Doghlass, this coincidence has
its perks. Some tend not to believe him until they are provided with proof.
Others assume that the actor’s team is speaking on his behalf.
Yet,
stereotyping strikes again! “They believe that my first name is Michael but
they do not believe that my family name is Doghlass,” he admits.
Doghlass
decided to take matters into his own hands and declare to people that they will
not be believing his name as he introduces himself. However, this has brought
him a lot of advantages. Doghlass affirms, “People tend to remember me more
because of my name. It will always ring a bell.”
With
everything happening around, all the work load, the convincing, the feeling of
being homesick, it is always refreshing to know that one has a caring family
back home. This two-way communication between children and parents is crucial
in a person’s everyday life. It gives both parties a kind of energy to keep on
going and look forward to the meeting point. Doghlass recalls, “Technology is
my best friend in such situations. It takes two seconds to send a message to
let my family know that I am okay.”
Passing
on the Torch
“If I
want to give advice to the younger generation, I would say do not set your
expectations too high. Go in with zero expectations and build yourselves from
there”, emphasizes Doghlass. With high expectations, people expect more of each
other and set certain standards to be achieved. Anything less would be
perceived as a low achievement. Senior managements or even one’s entourage
would be disappointed.
Entering his 3rd year working in the city of Dubai, Doghlass is mastering the
patience and understanding skill. Work problems and bad days happen, it is up
to the person to know how to react and handle such situations in the utmost
professional way.
Professionalism
is crucial to the workforce colleagues and bosses. “I was taught how to deal
with sensible work obstacles by my close family members through their own
unique humble experience,” he reveals. “I solve problems that I encounter with
a mix of both my own thinking and the advice he has given me”.
Doghlass says, “My advice to aspiring youngsters is start somewhere. No matter how little it is, you will grow and you will achieve. Do not stop studying and always try to get certifications from good places”.”
End of the interview published “Diaryforyourstory“.
To conclude this post, here is a song for you, Michael & Rania :). Bambi loves you and wishes you all the best! Be safe, have fun.
Below is a quick translation of this thoughtful text:
“There was an American demonstration in Montreal this Sunday.
Why this expression? Because pretty much all of the visible signs were in English.
I see two possible explanations for this.
English
Either the demonstrators take Québec for the United States, and therefore they identify with the United States to the point of adopting its language.
Either they know they are in Québec (and they claim that the American problems are also ours), but they don’t care about its language and its culture and, thus, show a great contempt for its identity. Let’s call this a linguistic colonialism disguised as anti-racism.
We must come down to earth.
We are all overwhelmed by the assassination of George Floyd in Minnesota. And no one will dispute the persistence of racism in the United States.
But whatever activists may say, involuntarily revealing their historic lack of culture, one cannot confuse Québec and the United States.
Obviously, there are racist individuals here as elsewhere, and that, in all communities. They are condemnable. Racism is abject.
But the Québec society has not been structured around racial categories. It has not institutionalized racism as a principle of social organization. There is no structural or systemic racism here, as long as we do not tamper with the meaning of words. This pseudo-sociological theory is wobbly.
Besides, the people of Québec were dominated at home. They did not have the means to discriminate against many people. We forget it today because we present them as “white” people.
Nation
A nation is not a race. A white cannot become a black, a black cannot become a white. Race is a suffocating identity.
But you can come from anywhere, have any skin colour, and become a Québecer, as long as you claim and assume this identity.
It is this definition of ourselves that we must hold on to.”
She just feels the urge to express that she is fed up
of hearing Mr. Trudeau and his peers, lecturing us, on how much we are systematically
racist as a country.
One, enough virtue signalling; Two, for once, show
some genuine compassion for your neighbouring country (not once we heard words
about that). Please stop saying nonsense to please we do not know whom or to show
us how much of good boys you are, better than folks south of our borders.
For God’s sake, do not import neither Somalia nor the
United States to Canada.
Bambi has never heard of Mr. Ammar who is cited in the
CBC before (even if he is of Lebanese origins too). He may have a point: Mr. Hussen
does not make much sense (hence her title). She will add, neither Mr. Trudeau,
with all due respect to both and to our actual government.
As for Mr. Trudeau’s “collection of racial data at Statistics Canada to fight against discrimination”, Bambi always omits those questions on purpose, as they get on her nerves. Sometimes, she answers whatever, choosing “other”. She refuses to be categorized in any group like that. She refuses that any of these groups would become a sort of protected group of “deer of Middle Eastern origins” or “deer who have ancestors of this religious background or that” or “deer of this colour or that”. She thinks that merit should be our only measure of excellence and respect to all a primary value.
Stated differently, Bambi’s background is no one’s business. She is against racism to anyone, period. Racism does not have any particular colour or religion or orientation or whatever. She is against torture and brutality to anyone.
Bambi is a Canadian deer, period. Canada is our country
all of us. Canada and the Canadian rule of law should be above us all equally,
period. Please do not Lebanonize Canada ☹.
In other terms, “all” lives matter, not just “deer
lives”.
From this article from a media from Québec (not even
in NB), Bambi learned that the clinic of the irresponsible physician in
question is on “Village Avenue” in Campbellton.
From a quick read of the media, we can learn that this
physician seemed to have lied to the authorities about his travel reason. Upon his
return from Québec, he did not respect a rule ALL the citizens are supposed to
respect upon returning from “essential” travels (14 days of self-isolation). This
physician completely forgot that, as a health professional, he should know all
this better than the rest of us. For whatever reason, he did not. Perhaps he
was too eager to return to his service. Perhaps he thought himself above the
virus (and the rules).
From the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick’s public website, when we search, we can find the following table:
If the table above is up-to-date and the physician is truly a “he”, as it has been referred to him in the media, he would be one of the following: Dr. Ngola Monzinga, Dr. Ahmad Khatib, or Dr. Fuzesi Gabor. If the physician is a female, the only name seems to be Dr. Catherine Benoit.
Bambi was curious to find
the name, hoping secretly the physician would not be of her same origins.
Luckily, he isn’t (even if he would be the one with the Arabic name).
NB has been doing an
outstanding job in the pandemic from Day 1 (if not, Day zero!). It is still doing
great now, thank you, except perhaps for the following: Too much political
correctness (especially in pandemic times) can literally kill.
As far as the nursing home that is infected is concerned, Bambi hopes they will learn from the experience of Québec in dealing with the patients (transporting the so-called “red” patients (those infected) elsewhere, which seems to have been done, bravo. In addition to this, the “orange” residents (those who could be infected) must not get in contact with the “green” ones (those clearly tested negative). Perhaps this is easier to implement in this nursing home due to is architecture.
People have all the right to be upset and to express their anger, whether in person or on social media. Mind you, Bambi is not on the latter but, from the article above, she understood that people may have circulated a picture of the physician and expressed their frustration. It is normal of municipal politicians to call for calm and remind people of the service of this physician to the community. However, people need to vent in life AND to share information that may have not been shared in the media or the authorities. Why making them feel guilty/badly for doing so?
We can also argue that we
should perhaps consider providing the name of the physician for the sake of the
other ones (his colleagues whose behaviour did not include the silly act).
Yes, the health authorities
will thoroughly help trace the contact of the physicians over two weeks. However,
wouldn’t it make more sense to make the information fully public, so no one may
be forgotten by inadvertence?
It is Bambi’s hope that
everyone will be safe at the end of this story, including the (suspended) physician
and his daughter, May this outbreak be successfully contained as much as
possible.
Best wishes to Restigouche/Campbellton
and all of NB!
