Dear Editor,
The letter from the “white kid in Cache Creek” (“Letters to the Editor”, The Journal, April 19) makes some interesting points. It is encouraging to note that there are youths who take an interest and who have a desire to make positive changes in our conflicted world.
There are concerns regarding using the term “white privilege”, however. It is my understanding that this is being taught in schools, and it is to the staff that I offer my argument.
Perhaps it may be more helpful to use a term such as “majority privilege”, as this is actually what the issue is about. Since we know there can be unintended consequences from even the best intentions, one might be cautious regarding using the term “white privilege”, as it can so easily devolve into another racist slur over time.
Describing people as “uneducated” is also not exactly helpful. If the desired outcome is to sincerely enlighten, perhaps conversing with people regarding the challenges faced by minorities and immigrants may assist in reducing resistance.
This may ultimately prove to be more powerful than using terms that tend to enflame emotions, thereby preventing dialogue and any hope of achieving a degree of understanding and resolution.
Katherine Turmel
Clinton, B.C.
Dear Editor,
Imagine needlessly losing your child or grandchild to a completely preventable disease. Sound far-fetched? Not for millions of parents around the world who still lack access to immunization for their children.
Did you know that polio is 99.99 per cent eradicated, and that 80 per cent of the world’s population lives in regions certified as polio-free? This is an amazing accomplishment, yet as long as that tiny percentage of cases of polio is allowed to fall through the cracks, we are at risk of another polio epidemic.
Women are disproportionately affected, as they are the primary caretakers for ill children and parents. During the week of April 24 to 30, let’s remind the Canadian government that improving vaccine coverage and ensuring that 19.4 million more children are reached with vaccines is at the core of empowerment and equality of women and girls; a cause that should be near and dear to the current Federal Government’s heart.
Connie Lebeau
Victoria, B.C.
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