Sihk kirpan controversy in Quebec

[Lallans]

be da veva,

Thanks for chiming in, I was hoping that someone from Quebec might be able to put this in perspective.

Can you comment on how the kilt is treated in La Belle Provence, according to your experience? And in relation to the article, how about the sgian dubh?

I'm from QC too, altho a maudit anglais who had to leave or start doing bad things in the name of liberty (I left). Kilts are generally well received there, rarely even noticed in the larger cities- however are severely mocked if worn by married-into-the-family members. I have never had a prob with the sgian dubh anywhere but nowadays would certainly be expected to hand it in while inside a Canadian or QC gov't building- if it was noticed. The visiting Sikhs were offered that, but of course had to refuse for religious reasons since that's why they had them on view in the first place.

[BoldHighlander]

I don't know about that. I use to work with some Sikhs, and they were bad @ss mofos! Just ask Indira Gandhi, she found out the hard way!

And the Axis Powers in WWII...

Indeed Todd!

Yes and the Sikhs have been responsible for some pretty spectacular killings in Canada, including but far from limited to the 1985 bombing of an Air India airliner that killed 329 people (including 280 Canadian citizens) off the coast of Ireland. They are far from being a pacifist group but I personally still don't see that the kirpans worn by average Sikhs are a huge security risk.

Nor was I implying they were (the kirpans that is...or the Sikhs for that matter). Just replying to the post (from my own personal experience) that implied that getting into a tussle with the Sikhs was "like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi." That's all.

[NorCalPiper]

What about the famous Lord Singh? I've heard he is kilted 100% of the time except for religious functions-
http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=87&cat=8

[BoldHighlander]

Okay, it really has nothing to do with kilts or the kirpan, but ran across this brief news clip about the first two Sikh soldiers guarding Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

I thought some might find it of interest:

[Andy Proffitt]

Indeed Todd!



Nor was I implying they were (the kirpans that is...or the Sikhs for that matter). Just replying to the post (from my own personal experience) that implied that getting into a tussle with the Sikhs was "like getting in a fistfight with Gandhi." That's all.

Let me clear this one up real quick. I was saying that picking on Sikhs as a group, in the political and ideological arena, was a bit bullyish, not physically getting into it with them.

One of the times I got my bell wrung the worst was when I was fighting/sparring with one of my friends, who was a Sikh. He's the only man that ever landed a punch on me that took me off my feet, and we were only playing around.

I agree with you completely Terry, they are bad mofos.

[Jay]

Yes, it is wrong if a nation that pretends to be a friend to liberty is in the business of telling a peaceful person how to live his own life, or trying to make him fit a certain mold. That's not liberty.

The idea of keeping a nation culturally pure, racially pure, religiously pure, or any other kind of purity that's based on exclusivity, is an obsolete one that should conjure unpleasant memories of the past where they have been tried. The only way to truly enforce such 'purity' is through bloodshed.

Forced multiculturalism through law is abhorrent, but forced monoculturalism is just as bad. I can understand the desire for a culture to want to maintain its identity and traditions, and I even support that idea. But not when it takes a negative tone by actively denying the culture of others.

After all, would any of us want to be told that we cannot wear kilts because they don't fit in with mainstream culture wherever we happen to be? Or would we rather enjoy the liberty of proudly wearing the garb and accoutrements of our heritage?

We of Scots descent, of all people, should understand the idea of liberty and cultural tolerance.

With all due respect, friend, you are confusing English Canada with Quebec. Quebec never signed the 1982 Bill of Rights that essentially defined Canada as being a multi-cultural land of freedoms. That makes Quebec no different than France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Japan et al in saying "this is who we are and you accept that if you choose to live here"

As I said earlier, I believe in personal and religious freedoms and do agree with multiculturalism. However, I also agree that any individual culture reserves the right to decide if they wish to maintain this culture.

Cultural respect goes both ways. Sometimes people forget that. Multiculturalism is not about some cultures doing their own thing and expecting others to cave in to that. Its about 2 or more differing cultures taking the best of each and creating something bigger while still maintaining the original cultures.

[BoldHighlander]

Let me clear this one up real quick. I was saying that picking on Sikhs as a group, in the political and ideological arena, was a bit bullyish, not physically getting into it with them.

My apologies Andy if I misunderstood what you wrote.

I agree with you completely Terry, they are bad mofos.

[Dale Seago]

[off-topic]

What about the famous Lord Singh? I've heard he is kilted 100% of the time except for religious functions-
http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=87&cat=8

Thanks for posting that!!! I hadn't realized there is now a Singh tartan. We may now have yet another kilted warrior in my dojo as a result. One of my students is a Sikh, and he does happen to be a bad mo-fo as well as a wonderful human being.

[be da veva]

Cultural respect goes both ways. Sometimes people forget that. Multiculturalism is not about some cultures doing their own thing and expecting others to cave in to that. Its about 2 or more differing cultures taking the best of each and creating something bigger while still maintaining the original cultures.

Well said and pretty much how things are in Montreal and the sorrounding subburds.

[Lallans]

Well said and pretty much how things are in Montreal and the sorrounding subburds.

Oh yeah? You should have seen Montreal 30-40 years ago. It's a small town now, culturally and financially.