Bill 21 in Quebec and Secularism of the State
Summary
A new bill was introduced in Quebec banning religious wear from places where public services are given such as public transportation or those working in healthcare. It is meant to be a way to eliminate discrimination while also removing facial coverings in an effort for public safety.
Modern Quebec Cabinet
The intention was to prevent discrimination but also to ensure public safety by removing the threat of people using facial coverings or masks. The bill therefore has no discriminatory tendencies at work that are putting any group ahead of others.
Religious Groups and Historians
Many people see this law as the beginning to a more discriminatory government that is less tolerant of religious clothing. By banning religious clothing of any kind it very nearly violates the charter. Historians also disagree with this bill as religion has long been a focus in Quebec's history as a province and many want to see that focus continue into modern times.
My Perspective
I see this bill as something that is the beginning of a way to increase tolerance yet in the wrong direction. It is a good intention yet lacks the social effectiveness of say creating more laws to protect public wearing of this appeal. I can also see why they would be wary of facial coverings in modern society as terrorism and terrorist actions present such a danger today.
Che Guevara and Authoritarianism in Cuba
Summary
Che Guevara was a communist radical from Cuba who was raised from a wealthy family and eventually led a group of revolutionaries to create communist uprisings in a number of African and South American countries before returning to his own and instituting a communist regime.
Cuba and the Socialist Rebels
Cuba was ruled at the time by an American backed dictator who ruled through force and tried to make Cuba a tourist destination for the elite. This was not well liked by the large majority of Cubans as it meant many lived in poverty. Therefore the coming of Che Guevara was well received and the Cubans welcomed communism with open arms as a way to better their country.
John F. Kennedy and Western Countries
America was wary of Communist Cuba as the revolution happened at the height of the Cold War when capitalist America and communist Russia were pressuring each other. The threat of a communist country so close to American soil was dangerous and ultimately America tried to overthrow the communist regime which ended in the Bay of Pigs invasion.
My Perspective
I think the communist regime was the greatest political movement that could have happened in Cuba to overthrow an elitist government that had little interest in the people it was intended to protect. In this sense I believe this radical movement was justified as a means of bettering the country even if it came with a strong militaristic presence and threat to democracy.
Red Paper and the Canadian Governments Response
Summary
The Red Paper was an agreement made by First Nations after the Canadian government created the White Paper. This was supposed to be a solution to the Indian Act that would reduce discrimination and promote First Nations yet was not accepted well by the First Nations as they had not been consulted in its making.
Canadian Government
The Canadian government lead by Pierre Trudeau was intending to solve issues of discrimination that had plagued First Nations for decades in Canadian Culture. It was not be conscious decision they did not include First Nations people on advisory but rather a fact that there were none in political power at the time.
Aboriginal and Affected Groups
The First Nations saw this as a clear reflection of the Canadian tendency to overlook First Nations relations as they perceived the government to still harness Eurocentric feelings. This was addressed when they constructed their own agreement as they wanted to construct and pursue their own agreement.
My Perspective
I see the Red Paper as an advancement of First Nations relations with the government as it allows them to take control of their future. I think that the White Paper was a good intention yet failed in providing what they needed most with that being self control.