I hope to God something got lost in translation here because if the cops did this without a valid reason they should be fired. Really, how can you justify bullying citizens like this?
I don't normally do this here but I'm pretty sure racism (and over the years I can't tell you how many times I've heard Montreal's police force is racist. This assertion was further enhanced when confirmed by friends and family on the force who feel cultural sensitivity isn't their best attribute) was indeed a factor in this incident with Gilbert
Nshimiyumukiza. It's crazy how all these fines we never heard of magically come up.
I'm afraid you are dead on about this one. Unfortunately there is a rather long and bad track record on that score with many police corps in this country when it comes to visible minorities and Amerindians...and south of the border also. Europe to has a sorry attitude on the same topic. White suprmacy dies hard.
ReplyDeleteI remember a cop, a friend of my cousin, in casual conversation freely (and casually) admitted they racial profile all the time. He even justified it. I get it - up to a point. But look what happens when you go overboard.
ReplyDeleteHe even explained how job applications were processed. "French names to the top. We just started accepting Italians in the police force" he said. This was the 90s.
But you're right. It's not just a Quebec problem. Western Canada's record towards the Natives was shockingly disgusting. Remember in Saskatchewan when cops would go and take Natives and drop them off in the dead of night in the middle of winter? America has its problems and Europe too as you said.
Let's assume it was racism on the Metro. Isn't the problem with the Haitian gangs and Jamaican dealers? African blacks as far as I know, are far, far from problematic. They seem to be ready and willing to work, often are intelligent and educated and speak multiple languages.
The cops should be aware of the differences and not group them all.