Smugly Woke

 

"Hate, racism and xenophobia are not 'opinions' that should be gathered through consultation." 

"The hallmarks of a democratic public education system should be that we serve all students well, especially those with the least power."

Waterloo (Ontario) District Region School Board

 

"While we acknowledge the celebration of Valentine's Day, and are mindful of the popularity of that day, it is not celebrated by all students/families in our community."

"It is essential that all students feel welcomed and reflected at school, and that our celebrations do not negatively impact our families and students."

Jean Steckle Public School

In 2021, the school banned the bringing of paper valentines onto school property on the grounds that they were “non-essential materials” that could act as a vector for infectious disease. For this year, however, it was reasons of health and equity that inspired a similar order. Photo by Getty

There was a time, not that long ago, when immigrants to a new country thought it their civic obligation to blend their inherited cultural values with those of the welcoming country. The idea was to become an equal citizen of the new country, one that celebrated its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural heritage, one that officially recognized the backgrounds of newcomers, inviting them to adapt to Canadian values, culture and system of equality. 

There was a time long ago when colonizers of a country set about destroying the values, heritage memories and culture of a country they had occupied to make their own, establishing a series of laws making it mandatory for the colonized indigenous population to learn a new language, practise new customs, obey different laws. That is something that prevails to the present time under the guidance of 'benevolent' dictators.

Well, surprise, the new woke theology that now consumes the civilized world has decided to turn these customs upside down and inside-out; receiving countries must now abrogate their customary values and customs, making them subservient to the presumed needs of incoming citizens who originate elsewhere bringing with them customs and traditions different and occasionally in opposition to Canada's. But the newly introduced-by-immigration values and customs are to be given priority.

It is all explained in the mantra of 'Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity". Which, evidently, though a noble enough goal, cannot be attained without the subjugation of the prevailing system which must, for DIE to be achieved, consider itself outdated, impotent and harmful to the extent that anyone considered "White" must agree that they are unreasonably privileged and prepare themselves to shed that privilege in the greater interests of elevating Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.

And this is what has captured the intentions of governments of all levels, of public institutions, of universities and schools and corporate boards of directors. No one wants to be labelled "racist" or "homophobic", "bigoted" or an "imperialist of White entitlement". It is the age of cancellations; of ethically and morally reprehensible speakers whose values are other than 'woke'. Cancellations of heroic-statues standing in public squares, of building and street names, and of public holidays.

Now it's St.Valentine's Day's turn. So sad. Hallowe'en may be next. And after that, Christmas? The Steckle family, one of whose members the name of the school honours, was a white pioneering family who lived in the area. They were a farming family; the first white child born in the area was of the Steckle family. Never might it have occurred to any of them that their family name would be associated with a school whose board would consider them White settlers who oppressed the Indigenous population of the time.

The 750 students of the elementary school have long been accustomed to celebrating Valentine's Day on the 14th of February even to a Valentine's Day dance organized by the school for their grades seven and eight students back in 2015. But in 2021 paper valentines became the target of "non-essential materials" with the potential of spreading infectious disease. This year carried the distaste for an originally Christian festival, forward, to ban Valentine's Day cards and treats.

Valentine's Day imposes a "financial strain" on families urged to "purchase cards or sweets" by custom, and promoting candy represented aw "inconsistent with the Healthy Schools approach" dilemma, since the point is to "decrease health inequities among the student population". The Waterloo Region District School Board has appeared in the news for other events.

Teacher Carolyn Burjoski was given a "stay-at-home" order because she raised concerns about illustrated storybooks in school libraries dismissing medical side effects of gender transitioning, implying a lack of sexual thoughts may be a sign of an asexual gender identity. "Maybe Rick [the book protagonist) doesn't have sexual feelings yet because he is a child", she said.

When parents objected to the cancellation of Valentine's Day, school parents were sent a lengthy open letter that inferred hate and transphobic bigotry had motivated a delegation of concerned parents to a recent board meeting. The concern parents wanted to air was a student census explicitly asking young students of their ethnic background and sexual orientation, along with a school policy of instantly accommodating a child's wish for gender transition without informing guardians.

The board's only Black trustee, Mike Ramsay, was censured when he objected to lesson plans encouraging Caucasian students to recognize their "white privilege". "Most trustees see me as the wrong kind of Black man", wrote Mr. Ramsay in an op-ed for the Waterloo Region Record newspaper. In the world of Islam, observations of Valentine's Day are banned for their presumed promotion of immorality and indecency.

Pexels/Kaboompics)

"Due to the disparity traditional Valentine's Day activities may highlight for some families, several of our schools will forgo the exchange of Valentine's Day cards this year,"

"Instead, students will learn about caring and kindness on Valentine's Day, while educators continue to focus on our commitment to equity."

Peel District School Board, Peel Region, Ontario