Abid Jan

The reporter says at minute 4:50 that one of the issues is to try to identify individuals with racist beliefs and root them out.

Rooting out might not be the solution. Some of the planners behind the “Freedom Convoy” were folks from the intelligence, law enforcement and armed forces. Root them out of the military, and they will strengthen the extremist movements.

We need to counsel them, educate them, make them aware, and remove their misunderstandings and fears and misperceptions. Undoubtedly, that is possible. That will set them free. This reminds me of the James Baldwin, who many years ago (in 1963) explained as if he was anticipating this moment:

“…Any real change implies the breakup of the world as one has always known it, the loss of all that gave one an identity, the end of safety. And at such a moment, unable to see and not daring to imagine what the future will now bring forth, one clings to what one knew, or dreamed that one possessed. Yet, it is only when a man is able, without bitterness or self-pity, to surrender a dream he has long cherished or a privilege he has long possessed that he is set free—he has set himself free—for higher dreams, for greater privileges.” (James Baldwin, Nobody Knows My Name (Dell Publishing, 1963).

videoPlayer

CTVNews