This week was International Women’s Week and the class attended two seminars concerning the experiences of Indigenous women and Muslim women in face of racism and discrimination.
The first seminar was on March 2nd and was titled “Climate Change, Pipelines and Violence Against Women” where Lucy Everett and Jen Gobby spoke about the changes in Canada: the installation of the controversial pipeline and its affects on the surrounding Indigenous communities. They mention that not is the land considered for the pipeline project inhabited by Indigenous Communities but it actually belongs to them and is supposed to be protected by law. But somehow the Canadian government has decided it’s its prerogative to do with it as they please, ignoring the promise they made to the Indigenous communities to protect their land and ensure that they do not endure what their past has experienced. They also mention the missing and murdered Indigenous women and how their cases are most of time closed before even being investigated, another way they break their promise to help protect the communities. With quiet protests constantly being shut down, like the ‘Red Dress’ where the red dresses hung from strings meant to commemorate the women are being taken down by very eager police officers, with some even smiling for pictures. They also mention that climate change affects those who are the least responsible for it the most. How the rich fossil fuel and polluting businesses have the ability to afford food and safe housing as well as access to fresh water allows them to not suffer from the effects like someone who lives in poverty.
The second seminar was on March 4th and was titled “Living in the Shadow of Law 21” where Nadia Naqvi and Laity Fary Ndiaye spoke about how Law 21 has affected them and the women around them. For context, Law 21 is the ban of all religious symbols for workers in the public domain such as teachers and police officers. We first hear from Nadia Naqvi, a high school science teacher who has known nothing but being Canadian. She speaks about the discrimination she witnessed her parents endure while she grew up and the discrimination she then faced as well. Discrimination by students and even collegues of hers. She is advocate for Muslim women and has even spoken at meetings and court appearances about overthrowing Law 21. She spoke about how although she is currently immune to the bill under the grandfather clause but is unable to move up in the ranks of her profession due to the bill. We then hear from Laity Fary Ndiaye who is community organizer and a lecturer as well as an advocate for Muslim women. She actively promotes for a more inclusive space for muslim women to be able to thrive. She speaks about how she as a non visible Muslim is affected by criticism she overhears in her life and the surprise others are filled with when they discover she is in fact Muslim.
Both seminars were very fascinating, as a climate change advocate myself, it was extremely interesting to hear about such current issues in such a well spoken presentation. Ms. Everett presented a very eloquent and expressive presentation on the numerous effects of climate change on the planet and the population. I learned a lot about the situation from an entirely different view point and how it’s not only an environmental issue, it’s a culture and political issue too. As for the second seminar, I learned a very important thing: how the grandfather clause has a very small window of coverage. It only applies to those who say in the exact same spot in their career, which no one does, everyone moves up in their professional lives and knowing that so many people are going to be halted for the simple fact that their religion comes with aesthetic guidelines. What’s even more appalling is that this bill is supposed to protect religious minorities from discrimination but it only protects those who are doing the discriminating. Both women made some very crucial points; one being that we should put a stop to the ones holding prejudiced views, not the ones going about their day acting harmless. And how we need to acknowledge how misogynistic this bill actually is. Although it does affect men who wear visible religious symbols, it is very clear that this bill is directed towards women who wear hijabs and other Muslim clothing items.
I’ve learned a lot over the course of the week that just passed, about the Indigenous communities, religious minorities and the Canadian government. These seminars have given me real life testimonies that allow me to understand the privilege I and so many others are given while so many people suffer the consequences of not filling the mold.
Lovers and Fighters | Section 22 