Comments on: Is Civility Just a Mask? http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/ Exploring urban life through word and photography Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:17:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Ian http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/comment-page-1/#comment-92561 Ian Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:14:44 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/#comment-92561 aj points out that "Outremontians" and the Hasidim will have to engage in dialogue to overcome a lack of cultural diversity... but I'd like to point out that this anti-semitic graf is in the heart of Mile-End, arguably one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in Montreal. This isn't just an "old school Francophone" issue, racism exists in every neighbourhood, and quite simply, the Hasidim are a visible minority and as such are an easy target. aj points out that “Outremontians” and the Hasidim will have to engage in dialogue to overcome a lack of cultural diversity… but I’d like to point out that this anti-semitic graf is in the heart of Mile-End, arguably one of the most culturally diverse neighbourhoods in Montreal. This isn’t just an “old school Francophone” issue, racism exists in every neighbourhood, and quite simply, the Hasidim are a visible minority and as such are an easy target.

]]> By: Zvi http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/comment-page-1/#comment-92437 Zvi Thu, 27 Sep 2007 02:38:04 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/#comment-92437 Certain Quebeckers seem to have replaced the old dogmatism of the Catholic Church with an equally dogmatic form of Secularism - any exhibit of religious belief is to be suppressed. And they think that this is enlightenment. On occasion I try to point out the fallacy of this approach. For example, during the Eruv debate in Outremont many people were against the idea because they proclaimed that we must maintain a complete separation of "church and state". I pointed out that they don't generally call the police when the church bells ring, so what exactly is the problem with allowing a symbolic string to encircle their block from existing wires? Anyway, I was discussing with a Quebecois neighbour the recent car-free day event and we both agreed that in order for this to really have an impact it needs to be a far more regular activity, for example every weekend. He suggested that we should close Hutchison/Durocher between Fairmount and Bernard every Shabat! He was serious. Granted he & I are more on the 'lunatic fringe' when it comes to transportation issues, but this could be a wonderful case of symbiotic accommodation. Certain Quebeckers seem to have replaced the old dogmatism of the Catholic Church with an equally dogmatic form of Secularism – any exhibit of religious belief is to be suppressed. And they think that this is enlightenment. On occasion I try to point out the fallacy of this approach. For example, during the Eruv debate in Outremont many people were against the idea because they proclaimed that we must maintain a complete separation of “church and state”. I pointed out that they don’t generally call the police when the church bells ring, so what exactly is the problem with allowing a symbolic string to encircle their block from existing wires?

Anyway, I was discussing with a Quebecois neighbour the recent car-free day event and we both agreed that in order for this to really have an impact it needs to be a far more regular activity, for example every weekend. He suggested that we should close Hutchison/Durocher between Fairmount and Bernard every Shabat! He was serious. Granted he & I are more on the ‘lunatic fringe’ when it comes to transportation issues, but this could be a wonderful case of symbiotic accommodation.

]]> By: Patrick Donovan http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/comment-page-1/#comment-92409 Patrick Donovan Wed, 26 Sep 2007 23:51:26 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/#comment-92409 I fear that these Bouchard-Taylor hearings will bring out the worst people from every region to vent their insignificant rage on "the other." Furthermore, the media is likely to focus solely on the nuttiest nuts because it makes for a more entertaining story. This exercise will lead to a warped perception of cultural relations in Quebec because it excludes the quiet majority who won't go to these hearings since they have nothing to complain about in the first place. The whole thing is counter-productive. I fear that these Bouchard-Taylor hearings will bring out the worst people from every region to vent their insignificant rage on “the other.” Furthermore, the media is likely to focus solely on the nuttiest nuts because it makes for a more entertaining story. This exercise will lead to a warped perception of cultural relations in Quebec because it excludes the quiet majority who won’t go to these hearings since they have nothing to complain about in the first place. The whole thing is counter-productive.

]]> By: aj http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/comment-page-1/#comment-92244 aj Wed, 26 Sep 2007 06:30:26 +0000 http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/09/25/is-civility-just-a-mask/#comment-92244 When I first saw the "side-curls-on-speed-bump" graffiti I thought it was of the "it's funny because it's true" school of humour, and a neat piece of détournement of an otherwise invisible piece of traffic signage. The one you show is hateful and hurtful. Compared to most neighborhoods in Montreal -- Westmount included -- Outremont would seem to be solidly old-school francophone. I might be wrong, but its level of diversity might be as low as Quebec's rural outposts. It's basic Star Trek philosophy to say that fear of the unknown is the greatest factor in human conflicts, and here we would seem to have not one, but two groups that essentially keep to themselves, engaged in a not-so-subtle turf war that's now going on 100 years old. I think it's time for some cultural dialogue to go on, but that would require some compromise -- the ultra-orthodox are going to have to become just a tad more worldly and acknowledge their neighbors, and the Outremontians are going to have to learn to negotiate ;) When I first saw the “side-curls-on-speed-bump” graffiti I thought it was of the “it’s funny because it’s true” school of humour, and a neat piece of détournement of an otherwise invisible piece of traffic signage. The one you show is hateful and hurtful.

Compared to most neighborhoods in Montreal — Westmount included — Outremont would seem to be solidly old-school francophone. I might be wrong, but its level of diversity might be as low as Quebec’s rural outposts.

It’s basic Star Trek philosophy to say that fear of the unknown is the greatest factor in human conflicts, and here we would seem to have not one, but two groups that essentially keep to themselves, engaged in a not-so-subtle turf war that’s now going on 100 years old. I think it’s time for some cultural dialogue to go on, but that would require some compromise — the ultra-orthodox are going to have to become just a tad more worldly and acknowledge their neighbors, and the Outremontians are going to have to learn to negotiate ;)

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