Blemished Apprehensions

There's something fundamentally wrong with a society quick to pounce on any perceived slurs directed against its values, presence, imperatives, language and demands upon the larger society of which it is an integral part, yet which exercises no sensitivity toward the needs of others to be treated with the dignity to which they are deserving.

Here is Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair referring to people of Asian origin in a manner which is so clearly insulting as to take one's breath away. Despite which, he insists that there is nothing at all wrong with his use of language deleterious to the image of another group of people. An expression as nasty as "slant-eyes" to describe Asians is considered by this man to be perfectly reasonable.

It is an expression, he maintains, very often used in the French language to describe Asians. The very commonality of its use gains it respectability, as far as Mr. Boisclair is concerned. And the truly troubling aspect of his argument is that he appears to have the support of other Quebecers.

In a mind-boggling lack of sensibility Quebec Premier Jean Charest defends the expression, indicating it needn't be faulted. Action democratique leader Mario Dumont also indicated he feels Mr. Boisclair's use of such language is not insulting. What on earth is the matter with these people?

This nasty expression is used by Mr. Boisclair in the most casual of manner, addressing individuals of Asian origin as "slant-eyes". Not Chinese, not Japanese, not Korean, or others of like origin, but people whose distinguishing feature is that their eyes are shaped differently.

I am insulted for Asians, I am utterly disgusted, I am aghast that any purportedly intelligent individual could resort to such derogatory racial epithets in the guise of common language and consider it perfectly all right. Not only does Mr. Boisler consider the use of such descriptives as normal and acceptable, but when approached by an individual of Asian origin who took exception to the use, he was summarily dismissed.

During a number of campaign speeches where Mr. Boisclair casually insulted Asian physical appearance by his crudely inappropriate language, reporters covering the events took up the issue, the result being public attention was focused on it. Amazingly, none of those to whom the speech was addressed appeared to find fault with the language.

Giving full credence to Mr. Boisclair's assertion that the insulting descriptive is in common everyday use in the province. The executive director of the Montreal-based Centre for Research Action on Race Relations, Fo Niemi, himself of Asian origin, called the party to complain about the insult-laden language.

For his troubles he was informed by Mr. Boisclair's communications director that "it is people like you who see racism in this", denying that the descriptive was "racially offensive". Adding insult to injury is a fine way to explain one's lack of sensitivity toward others. Those very people whose appearance is described in such a manifestly slanderous manner are informed they are reacting inappropriately, not the reverse.

But, as Mr. Boisclair angrily asserts, he has been using the expression for years and in his mind he has said nothing wrong. He is not about to start playing games of semantics, he adds. "I regularly, frequently use this expression and have absolutely no intention of apologizing", Mr. Boisclair informed a news conference.

More than adequately demonstrating the mettle of the man, illustrative of those who take instant offence when they feel their dignity has somehow been called into question by the lack of proper respect evinced by others toward them, yet who seem functionally incapable of comprehending when their own manner toward others goes beyond offensive.

Fittingly, points out Colleen Hua, council president of the Chinese Canadian National Council, this is Action Week Against Racism in Quebec.