Politics of division failing children

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2023 (750 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE recent rallies and counter-rallies about the school curriculum on gender education in schools — based on social media posts that have been circulating with strategic finesse meant to disinform, misinform and raise fears — has led the two most discriminated communities in Canada, the Muslim and LGBTTQ+, to become pawns in the hands of those with an insidious political agenda.

Lack of communication, anger, and fear are a deadly combination and an absence of civil leadership is adding to the fire of hate that is being stroked by political opportunists at the expense of our children.

The very-far-right agenda that has targeted both communities for decades has now co-opted the public arena and created “look at them” targets pushing Muslims, visible minorities and LGBTTQ+ communities into a cycle of mutual distrust.

Media, on the other hand, focuses on hijab-wearing and angry-banner-holding mothers with children in tow, and loud counter protesters with aggressive body postures promoting the very stereotypes that suit the far-right agenda. This depiction engenders further divisions and targeting of diverse communities, rather than bringing people together to voice their fears, concerns and apprehension as to what this gender curriculum is all about, how it will be implemented and that it does not become a tool to impose and dictate and divide, according to the personal leaning of any one teacher.

Diversity education is necessary. However, it must be age appropriate and one that promotes empathy and mutual respect. There must be safe space for diverse values conversations that honour human dignity and preserves the human right of each child regardless.

More importantly, parents should not be excluded when making education policy decisions, or from the process of their implementation. Creating spaces to educate and be educated, while also being aware of the mental health, emotional wellbeing and safety of each child — and making accommodations accordingly.

Four decades ago, when I first started presentations on Islam and Muslims in schools, letters would go out to parents informing them and asking permission if their children could attend. A few times, teachers apologized, saying that some parents have pulled their children out and thus there was small turnout.

Now we cannot keep up with the requests from schools. The mission should not be to proselytize and imposition of values and beliefs, but to share and know each other so we can be allies when needed by the other — and not become the other.

The younger generations of both communities must know that when Islamophobia and hate erupted in Winnipeg, the first communities who came to our defence were LGBTTQ+ and the Indigenous communities. We all knew our values differed in some beliefs and practices, but we were standing together for each other’s human rights. Not demanding that all should agree, but that all should have the right to disagree, be different and unique — while not being discriminated against and denied their human rights.

Unfortunately, today I am hearing from Muslim social workers and counsellors across the country that there is a rising number of cases of harassment of Muslim students by teachers and classmates as the aftermath of the rallies. Standing up for our rights to practise or not practise any faith is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and this should apply across the board equally and not selectively.

My request to our politicians and those running to be elected. PLEASE spare children of Manitoba from your partisanship. Stop playing one community and appeasing another with promises you will not deliver just to get votes from diverse communities.

Take your politics out of schools — you have no say in curriculum. Let the school boards and parents work this out. Running slogans from your platforms of “parental rights” is misleading. Canadian law does not spell out parent rights — it is very much silent on the topic.

My request to all: Please stop!

Children are hurting, regardless from which community. The Creator has placed them in our trust. Please learn to live and let live and stop imposing your fears on them. If not, we will see a flood of mental health challenges from internalized hate and fear — which are already starting to trickle in.

Shahina Siddiqui is the executive director of the Islamic Social Services Association.