Rainbow Coalition needed
Re: Lundar’s rainbow crosswalk defaced a third time (Aug. 2)
So now we’re dealing with Nazis, huh? Great.
News that the Lundar Pride crosswalk has been defaced yet again, this time with a swastika and homophobic language written in German, I think it’s time to admit that Lundar has a problem, as many interlake rural municipalities likely do, it’s not just Winkler anymore.
I’ll admit to be being taken aback, I can’t believe there are actually Manitoba citizens who must know the bare minimum of Canadian history that would then think it would OK to paint a swastika over a rainbow on a street, that is what society is coming to now.
In my previous letter on this issue, I called for those responsible to be publicly shamed, that opinion hasn’t wavered, it’s more important than ever that we expose actual nazis in our communities.
I will say though, I’m impressed how the Interlake stepped up, the reeves of Woodlands and St. Laurent both pledged their support to RM of Coldwell, this is the right attitude and the right action and I commend the councils of both RMs for doing what is right and supporting our friends and neighbours up the road in Lundar. We’re only as strong as we are united and we must be united in this, the rising tide of hate and bigotry must be countered in the strongest possible terms.
To those cowards who are continually defacing the crosswalk, you aren’t going to win, our resolve is stronger than yours, we stand together with our brothers and sisters and anyone else of any gender identity and orientation, all your doing is bringing more people to our side, raising our strength above what you can bring to bear.
I call on all Manitobans to reject hate and bigotry and join together to oppose it now, and at all times.
Will Jones
Winnipeg
Cops have challenging jobs
Re: Calling foul on playing host to contentious games (Think Tank, July 29)
This column by Rebecca Chambers evidences a significant disconnect with the harsh realities being faced by many Winnipeggers.
Her column critiques the proposed crime-control plan of the provincial government; complaining that the $10 million will be spent in areas “with some of the highest ethnic diversity and lowest incomes in the city.” This is an odd criticism. The money is being spent in those areas because that’s where crime is highest — isn’t that sort of the point? Dumping $10 million on crime prevention in affluent suburbs with lower crime rates wouldn’t make much sense.
Ms. Chambers also states that these crime control measures represent “…our intolerance of those who do not conform to colonial expectations…” What would those colonial expectations be exactly? I was not aware that the desire to prevent murder, violent assaults, and robbery was somehow a colonial construct.
Perhaps, rather than parroting anti-police propaganda, there can be more appreciation for the extremely challenging job that law enforcement currently officers face in Winnipeg. Painting police as the villains is a tremendous disservice to their attempts to control our spiralling crime wave that disproportionately affects people in the areas and communities for whom Ms. Chambers purports to advocate.
Steve Teller
Winnipeg
All relationships deserve respect
Re: Montana judge temporarily lifts ban on drag performances (July 29)
Some legislators seek to ban minors from attending “sexually oriented” performances. Their biased attitudes lead them to ignore the “sexually oriented” content that reaches children all the time.
Children learn that only certain relationships and people are “normal” from the world around them. From Romeo and Juliet to Barbie, high art and low art, children learn sexual expectations.
It is valuable for minors to learn that LGBTTQ+ people are “normal” people too, deserving respect.
Jane Enkin
Winnipeg
Women’s team deserves more
I feel badly for our Canadian Women’s Soccer team, who were eliminated far too early in this year’s World Cup. Clearly they were not as prepared and aligned as we would expect them to be, given their outstanding success at recent Olympics, and over the last decade plus. No team in the world has fared as good as our group over the last three Olympics, with a gold and two bronze medals to show for their preparation, hard work and execution.
What this tells me is that our team has overachieved, given the non-comparable amount of resources allotted to our team versus the United States and many others.
My real concern for our national team, and other sports competitors in this great country, has to do with the ongoing issues with sports governance within Canada. It has become a real concern, and is restricting many of our athletes from being the best they can be. That seemed very apparent at this World Cup, as the team was embroiled in discussion with Canada Soccer, and came into the tournament with insufficient practice/competition. They were not themselves and it showed up in the standings. Throw in a few key injuries, and the results begin to make sense.
For those who think it a waste to allocate appropriate funding and support for our athletes, I say try to have an open mind. Think of the value of winning medals, including gold, in the bigger landscape. The pride, the celebration, and most important, the inspiration for our youth, who believe in what Canadians can do, and are motivated to compete on the world stage. Think of the power of millions of young Canadians, believing in themselves and this nation! In that regard, our youth do believe. They are constantly being recognized for their achievements, in sports and other endeavours. And sports also provide them with ample opportunity to stay fit, and appreciate the importance of using their time and mindsets productively, and with good purpose.
It’s time to rethink our approach to sports. Sure, it’s not all about “the podium,” but I am OK with that goal, if it’s aligned with the proper financing, coaching and strategy. Let’s give our athletes what they deserve. The return on investment will easily justify the method. It’s hard to put a value on pride and loyalty, but estimations become more concrete when involving the health and well-being of our children and those who pursue a positive life in the sports world. This is a case of the right thing to do, and positive economics.
And as for our women’s team, I have nothing but good memories and deep respect, seeing them rise from a hopeful national team, to an amazing group of gold medalists. They have proven themselves in more ways than imaginable, and let’s hope that our governing bodies appreciate the importance of achievement, and the influence it has on all Canadians, especially the youth… who will take the lead sooner than we think.
Go Canada!
Dave Battistuzzi
Winnipeg
