LETTER

Dealing with the past

 With the latest news on the political forum, nothing surprises me anymore. I lived half a century in Canada among the many great people of different skin tones, and I worked for and with them, out of respect for each other. Of course there were a few bottom dwellers. But the great ones were among us in the lower, productive areas, working with responsible behaviour. Unfortunately, there were a very few spoiled apples across the spectrum in institutions of importance, in political influence and even in responsible journalism. 

I write this from personal experience. Years ago, someone might have noticed the voice of my “Multiple Sculpture” (read “Sculptor...takes your all” by Jenny Bergin, Page 36, Oct. 28, 1972, Ottawa Citizen), which has been swept under the carpet, among other issues like “soft” racism and sexism, plus racism by thought, by design, etc. ... even racism by disrespect  of the professionalism and honourable standing of Jody Wilson-Raybould, Dr. Jane Philpott – or, on a personal level, when I was cooperating with Slovak Embassy to honour the life of Danica Betakova and her sacrifices for the most progressive thinking viz. Betakova - Hlavina Art Collection (see Bulletin d’Aylmer, 8-08 2018, Page 7 “How far does meddling reach?”). I did the work, the art, but it was her all-out support which facilitated its success on the world stage.

All these are just a few issues we will have to deal with in the near future; I agree with Jagmeet Singh that it will be painful, difficult - but necessary: we have to deal with our past.

Rasto Hlavina, 

Pontiac