Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 17:39:29 +0200
From: LFontaine <LFontaine-AT-teaser.fr>
Subject: Re: maybe not zionist... but definitely bigoted


>Immigrants in Quebec are not treated like the rest of the population, 
>period. 

OK.  But I was replying to a previous message that suggested that past immigration practices should be applicable today. Recall:

>>a foreign language that they brought with
>>them when the emigrated from france to canada? so it's
>>okay that they have an immigration past but anyone who
>>comes in now, 'oh they're not as good as we were.'
>>very progressive indeed.

And, I am simply saying that I don't agree. I don't think it's reasonable to suggest that what was appropriate (or perhaps it wasn't even, but that's not the point) for first settlers should be appropriate for present immigrants. 

I would like to ask anyone to name a country or region where immigrants *are* treated like the rest of the population (I'm sincere).

>You can read the 
>statistics about that here: 
>http://www.petitiononline.com/rrjme321
>I know you won't sign it of course.

I fail to see how voicing my opinion (and I deliberately tried to make it clear that it was my opinion!) should open the door for you to insult me.  It's OK, I mean, I'm not so easily offended.  You have no idea what I will or will not sign, and if you were so certain why bother mention it unless you simply wanted to agressively challenge me in public.  I decline.  I don't live in Quebec and I never have.  However, I do support preserving languages.  

>All of these practices are being justified in the name of protecting the 
>French language. 

You can look at it from two views (and likely more), but I'm just not qualified to comment on this one.  For me it seems a bit like the chicken/egg thing.  If we remove the specific context and think of an un-named one, is it possible to "protect" a language, without seeming nationalistic? I don't know the answer to this question.

> It is easy to philophise 
>about the necessity for protecting languages, but visible minorities are 
>on the other end of these protective measures.

Apparently it is, and I admit that it's probably more due to a personal issue for me than any deep political reflection. I just don't truly understand what the consequences are of protecting a language, nor do I fully understand the consequences of *not* doing so.  

>the numbers of Ph.D's driving taxis because they happen not to be white 
>and then tell me about the "necessity of preservation'. All of those 
>measures for protecting the French language are turning into an excuse 
>to justify privilege. 

I just feel - and I am the first to admit that I could be completely and totally *wrong*! - that there are two issues deeply intertwined and they shouldn't be.  I do believe that in a given region there should be one or more common languages, and that newcomers to this region (whether through immigration or a simple move across the country) should learn the common language.  I think that languages at risk should be consciously monitored.  I do not believe that this should necessarily mean that racist practices should be justified through this.

I think that very few people care about the French outside Quebec, as I mentioned in my last message.  But as someone with the name Lise Fontaine who doesn't speak French... let me just say that I have seen my entire family's language and culture disappear with my generation and this is a very common case in (certain communities in) Ontario.  And if you want racism, go to Northern Ontario!  (yikes)  On top of that the only reason I am an English speaker is because of oppressive political forces demanding it.  I am now an immigrant in France.  I'm a PhD student and I'm not driving a taxi, but ... : ( 
So I'm not a visible minority here, and often I can "pass" until I open my mouth, but most people can still tell just by looking at me.  I could describe racist practices here against me and my children, but it isn't the point.

It almost sound as though the opinions are that since the French Quebec population is racist, the French language does not deserve to be preserved.  This is a point I would like to get cleared up, if anyone would like to clarify in a sincere way.

best wishes,

Lise Fontaine




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