APRIL 29, 2009

       There’s a lot of news stories that prompt fierce debate because of controversial subjects. Outrage is caused because people feel strongly for or against a certain topic.

       This week the Pope apologized for the treatment native Canadians received in church-run schools. While it’s great a religious figure is speaking out about this, I received many emails from people suggesting “native complaints need to stop already.”

       I wasn’t alive during the time of residential schools’ injustice but I have heard the stories and certainly don’t condone the actions towards students. While I’m neither here nor there on the Pope issue, the fact he expressed sympathy seems to be a good thing.

       Not so, according to a couple dozen readers I heard from later that day.

       “The native complaints need to stop already,” writes William. “Will we ever be able to get over the problems from decades ago, or am I and my kids going to have to suffer and continue to here (sic) about there (sic) gripes?”

       “As a white male I’m often considered racist because I don’t agree with special treatment aboriginals get,” writes Blaine. “I’m not the one mistreating them so I can’t comprehend having to continue doling out my tax dollars to say sorry for things that never involved me in the first place.”

       “Doesn’t the Pope have better things to do than acknowledge our waste of money by sending these whiners to see him?” asked Darrell.

       I can appreciate these opinions and, while they have valid points, it makes me wonder if it’s the complaining that’s the problem or the issue of race.

       Let’s shift the unfairness claim: Women and homosexuals were (and sometimes still are) discriminated against. Does this give an entire gender or sexual orientation a reason to ask for compensation and apologies for years to come?

       Scoff at the comparison as basic as it is, but they are both groups that was treated unfairly. Would we expect every female or every gay person to be compensated for actions from decades ago? Probably not. What makes it different when it’s a race?