Heroes and villains as we rethink history
Letter writers (April 25 and 28) have been discussing whether, instead of removing the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald, it would have been better to place a statue of Mowachaht Chief Maquinna alongside it.
In fact, there is already a statue of Maquinna in Victoria: it is one of the 14 statues — the only Indigenous one — that surround the exterior walls of the Legislative Library of British Columbia.
Maquinna’s stationary companions include Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, Simon Fraser and 11 others.
One writer objected to installing a statue of Maquinna because he was a slave holder — which indeed he was. Given that there is already such a statue, this objection comes a little late. And perspectives differ.
In an article entitled, “My Nigerian great-grandfather sold slaves,” in BBC News online, journalist and novelist Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani argues that it is unfair to judge a 19th century man by 21st century principles.
“Assessing the people of Africa’s past by today’s standards,” she argues, “would compel us to cast the majority of our heroes as villains.”
Heroes and villains. But, of course, it is usually more complicated than that — which, I think, is her point.
Hamar Foster, KC
Professor emeritus
University of Victoria
If there was murder, give us the evidence
Re: “When it comes to residential schools, listen to survivors,” column, April 23.
I am disappointed that Charla Huber used the term “murder” to describe what she believes happened to some of the children buried at the former St. Augustine’s Residential School in Sechelt.
If she has evidence of this, would she be willing to share that with her readers?
As a retired pediatrician, I know first-hand the causes of death or persistent disease in children.
Yes, the loss of one child is one too many. It has been estimated that as many as 25 per cent of children died of rampant tuberculosis on the reserves and in the dormitories.
Many died of other infectious diseases, such as measles or meningitis. Accidents such as fires killed many others. Both physical and sexual abuse occurred.
However, I could not find any mention of murder in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Perhaps if Huber had used the term homicide, I would not have been triggered to respond. However, her admonition that this is the story of the shíshálh Nation of Sechelt, not the reader’s story to ask, triggered a sense of frustration.
I am retired, and I have no job to lose. Truth and justice are everybody’s responsibility. If there is ever to be meaningful reconciliation with this school’s survivors, it must begin with the truth.
P.M. MacLeod FRCPC (ret)
Victoria
Insurance coverage in a problem building
The insurance industry’s stance that they don’t need to pay out on the mandatory renters’ insurance required at RidgeView Place because there was a “pre-existing condition” is problematic.
If allowed to stand, it means there will never be a renters’ insurance policy that protects the renters where there has been “a previous or pre-existing condition” such as an engineering issue — what about a fire or any other structural event?
The issuing of a new occupancy permit will never mitigate matters? It’s only because of the scarcity of alternatives that anyone at all will ever occupy RidgeView again, or whatever they call it next time.
So, should all us who have renters’ or condo insurance be checking with our insurers about the possibility of “pre-existing conditions” in our homes?
Will it matter which agent or which insurer? Will we have to take out the equivalent of “uninsured motorist” coverage to get protection? Will I ever have confidence in the insurance industry again?
Elaine Anderson
Victoria
Improve alternatives to move us along
Re: “A friendly wager in favour of bikeways,” commentary, April 29.
The writer is assuming an ideal situation. Not everyone is able-bodied, never mind fit. Not all trips are short. Not all roads are flat. Not all days are sunny and warm.
The way to gain support is not to hinder present modes of transportation but to improve the alternatives.
But if people must walk several blocks to a bus stop, wait up to half an hour for a packed bus on which they have to stand, then wait again and pay a second fare for another bus, which drops them several blocks from their destination, all taking them twice as long, they won’t be inclined to give up their cars.
You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Alanne Gibson
Victoria
Commercial dog walkers do not cause problems
Re: “Saanich, what about commercial dog walkers?” letter, April 29.
I do not agree with the letter. My family and I walk Mount Douglas almost daily.
Yes, there are a few commercial dogs walkers but they do not “release the dogs into the forest.” All that we have met have been very respectful of any persons on paths.
Dogs are leashed, those that aren’t are obviously trained well and stick with the walker. The worker always pulls to the side of the path to let anyone go by.
We have never witnessed them “wreaking havoc” in the forest.
Sue Iverson
Saanich
What drives us to quit? Fear of the health risks
Re: “U.S. adult cigarette smoking rate hits all-time low,” April 28.
The recent report on smoking in the United States omits a major reason for quitting smoking: Concern about health.
A Gallup survey in 1958 found that only 44 percent of Americans believed smoking caused cancer.
But the U.S. Surgeon General’s report in early 1964 revealed undeniable proof. Millions quit. I was one of them — although for years I missed the seductive lure of that scarlet DuMaurier package.
By 1968, 78 per cent of Americans believed the link between smoking and cancer.
So to credit expense and legislation for the drop in smoking denies the smoker’s main concern: Fear of health effects.
Our challenge now is to persuade teenagers that E-cigarettes (vaping) can be almost as hazardous.
Anne Moon
Victoria
The best way to describe the Surrey police issue
Re: “Province dangles financial carrots if Surrey goes with local policing,” April 29.
Literally, a cop-out of epic proportions, one way or another.
Dave Kirk
Nanaimo
Surrey got local control it wanted from Farnworth
The response from Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke to Solicitor General Mike Farnworth’s recommendation regarding policing in that city is a master class in logical fallacies and straw man arguments.
She acknowledges that a recommendation is the limit of Farnworth’s authority and then bemoans that he didn’t enforce a binding decision.
What gives? Locke accuses Farnworth of engaging in “politics” but I’m afraid that it is her selective memory that is political and indeed, disingenuous.
Throughout this process, Locke has maintained that the policing options decision for Surrey was solely for local government to make. This is exactly what Farnworth has confirmed.
If Surrey council ultimately decides to stay with the RCMP, that will be respected by the province; Farnworth could not have been more clear about that.
What he made equally clear is that the province could not allow Surrey to cannibalize other RCMP detachments so Locke could not entertain her personal hobby-horse.
I suggest she engage those former RCMP Officers who opted to join the Surrey Police to return to the RCMP.
The Surrey policing debacle was a cake baked entirely in Surrey and that city should figure out what it wants. It remains the responsibility of the Solicitor General to ensure that the needs of the rest of the province are protected.
Dan Rowe
Sidney
Let’s try other ways, the old ones don’t work
Re: “Compassion means helping people in need,” letter, April 28.
I totally agree with the letter about society’s failure to provide true compassion for those “living” on our public streets.
The evidence is out there on full display. An endless stream of excuses for unacceptable behaviour, minimal consequences for crime, free housing and an endless supply of addictive drugs has not achieved noticeable results.
The numbers are increasing and there is little evidence to suggest there is a reasonable level of success.
Statistically, how many people have managed to escape this sad existence and transition to having full and productive lives?
Compassion and tough love are not mutually exclusive. It’s time to try other ways to deal with these societal problems that are plaguing us all.
Maurice Lapierre
Qualicum Beach
No occupancy permit until renters made whole
While the RidgeView Place mess was completely avoidable much sooner than now, the City of Langford ought not issue any further occupancy permits until every dime that is owed to the victims of this shoddy build is paid in full.
Let it sit empty until every resident has been made whole.
I realize that during a housing crisis like this that those words are difficult to comprehend, but a lesson needs to be learned and this is a very teachable moment to those would-be developers — and, Centurion, the building’s owner, needs to cough up every cent owed.
Stu Shields
Victoria
Bouquets for the Fairmont Empress Hotel
Let’s please, take a moment to acknowledge the absolutely stunning display of tulips in the gardens of the Fairmont Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria.
For all of us who spend time in the Inner Harbour, watching the tulips bloom has been a total wonder.
I thank the gardeners at the Empress most profusely for the fabulous job they have done, creating so much beauty and so much unbelievable colour for all of us to enjoy.
Most definitely, viewing these gardens is worth a trip downtown. Thank you to the Fairmont Empress for providing these lovely gardens that benefit all of us in Victoria.
Sarah Cunningham
Victoria
Outstanding attention at the Royal Jubilee
I wish to add my praise for health-care workers at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
For the past 18 months, I have been receiving treatment for end-stage kidney disease at the B.C. Renal Unit.
The support that I’ve received is unsurpassed. I feel welcomed each time I attend for my sessions, from the warm greetings (and equally-warm blanket on a snowy day), to the gentle touch of the nurses as my catheter is hooked up for another session on the dialyzer.
Comfy bed or reclining position today? No problem. Concerns? No problem, a doctor is nearby for a chat later in the afternoon.
I have received outstanding care and attention throughout, and I give my sincere appreciation to the staff at B.C. Renal. I wouldn’t be alive and writing this thank-you letter if it weren’t for you.
Larry Westbrook
James Bay
Four stays at the ‘spa’ and delighted with staff
I agree that our health-care workers are amazing. I have had four stays at the “spa” (some people call it a hospital but that is less friendly) since last September, so to recall the names of all of the health-care workers with whom I had interaction would take pages.
But each and every one of them was cheerful, careful, kind and, over all, professional. I cannot say enough good things about our health-care workers.
They are astounding and deserve our appreciation.
Elizabeth Hanan
Victoria
Excellent care at Vic General Hospital
With all the negative comments made about the standard of care received at B.C. hospitals recently, I was happy to see the letter about the excellent care received by the heart attack patient at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
In my case, I was treated at the Victoria General Hospital on Thursday for a nasty gash on my leg I got after a fall.
After the doctor and two student doctors did an excellent job stitching my leg back together, I returned home the same day with 28 stitches in my leg.
All of the staff I was involved with at Vic General were kind and efficient and made sure I was getting the care I needed. Many thanks to all who provided such excellent health care.
Dorothy Mullen
Victoria
Many, many advantages to wearing black clothing
Re: “Questions about all that black clothing,” letter, April 28.
As to why folks dress in black clothing, there are both explanations and advantages.
Black provides excellent camouflage against night predators, it reduces time spent in anguishing over what to wear each day, it reduces significantly the faux pas of wearing mismatched socks, it’s appropriate when mourning one’s lost youth and it assists wearers to live out their “Zorro” and “Hopalong Cassidy” childhood fantasies.
Michael Rice
North Saanich
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