RE: Hatred and vitriol, Sept. 2
Harvey Thomson’s letter states that “hatred, vitriol, bullying and intimidation” should have no place in a Canadian election campaign. He further states that he would expect this from right-wing extreme followers of Donald Trump.
I agree wholeheartedly. There should be no violence and harm caused to humans or animals and no vandalism to property.
This brought to mind a news story a few years back just after Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the American presidential election. The story described how a female student was sitting in a cafeteria at Guelph University and she was punched in the head, knocking her to the ground. Her crime? She was wearing a Trump “Make America Great Again” cap.
On the university’s Facebook page, a lot of posts appeared to agree with the assault, with posts like “good, she deserved it.” The student explained that her family had just moved from the States and her father supported Trump from a business and economics point of view.
Some of the people I was “debating” politics with appeared to have the same attitude. I then issued a challenge to them. I offered to wear a “I voted Hillary” T-shirt and they wear a red Trump hat. Just for a short period of time. Maybe, one week. No one responded, but the reasons they gave were amazingly creative. Now, if I was a mean, nasty person, I would have concluded they were all liars and/or cowards. But, I’m a reasonably kind person; I have been told. So I tried really hard not to make a judgement.
When one group of people regards themselves as intellectually and morally superior to another, it’s easier for the baser instincts of human nature to take over. Phrases like “clinging to their Bible and guns,” “basket of deplorables” and “smelly Walmart shoppers” are not conducive to a healthy, civilized debate. But it’s easy to blame America. Trouble is, it’s not only in America.
Jury Klymko,
Rockwood