Re: “Chilliwack mayor’s anti-racism words amount to ‘grovelling and self-flagellation”, Chilliwack Progress Letters, June 11, 2020 (online).
• READ MORE: LETTER: Chilliwack mayor’s anti-racism words amount to ‘grovelling and self-flagellation’
Thank you for publicizing your views. They are indicative of the problems we face here locally, where poisonous ideals and white privileges have been fostered and fed so well that they might be so articulately regurgitated by people like yourself.
It has been a problem in this town since my grandfather collonial-strolled into it more than 120 years ago.
This underbelly of outdated viewpoints, flawed since inception, has grown unchallenged due to the socioeconomic climate contained within. It’s bad for business, bad for politics, bad for safety to challenge or criticize the local extremist ideology and so it’s seldom done. When progression is ventured, as it was ever so mildly by Mayor Ken Popove, it is met with a white backlash only comparable to deep southern states or South Africa.
• READ MORE: Mayor of Chilliwack says it’s time to have ‘uncomfortable conversations’ about racism
You use several terms that indicate you have researched support for ideals and feelings that you already held. It is a tragic commonality to all of the well-articulated letters.
Your argument is so ridiculously outdated and ill-informed that trying to educate you on any of your points would be akin to explaining calculus to a seven-year-old. They must be intended to elicit the support of other local racist extremists.
Your letter is an abhorrent encapsulation of why we need leaders like Mayor Popove to take the small incremental steps this enclave of racism and homophobia will allow.
I implore co-operation and togetherness but there is no starting point for commentary like this. These views will never make this area a better part of Canada for our indigenous, minority or LGBTQ citizens. Citizens who contribute to the community equally but receive no equal regard. These views will never allow for sociological growth or social justice or rich diversity. These views are dangerous. These views are wrong.
Thank you Mayor Popove. At first I felt you didn’t say enough, now I remember why you couldn’t say more.
This might sound harsh but it’s said out of love. Love for the beauty of this geographic location and genuine love for the people of my community. But it’s time to grow up now Chilliwack and take a stand against the continued fostering of these tragic ideals.
Cary Britton
• Send your letter to the editor via email to editor@theprogress.com. Please include your first and last name, address, and phone number.