Archive for the ‘Social Commentary’ Category

Terry Thompson of Ohio released his exotic animals into the community before killing himself which then caused the unfortunate deaths of 49 of those animals. The question is “Should any private citizen have the right to purchase and keep exotic animals?

Now, I understand that there is a myriad of wild animals, birds, fish and reptiles that qualify under that category but how far do we need to go to protect those animals and protect communities from this type of captivity? Private ownership I believe should not be aloud especially when we are talking about tigers, lions, monkeys and other types of animals that require vast roaming areas, need specialized care and are potentially lethal to anyone who comes in contact with them.

I’m not an expert on this stuff but I just don’t know why any person who is not directly involved in the conservation or rehabilitation of an animal should be allowed to keep these creatures. If plain logic doesn’t prevail then there should be strong regulations in place, animal protection agencies in constant contact and when a law is broken be swift with punishment. That is always in our ideal world but that is precisely why no state should allow private ownership. There simply is not enough funds available, boots on the ground and eyes on these compounds to ensure compliance.

Here’s another question “Why does private ownership exist?”

* Human interest in possessing a non-native or rare creature

* Financial gain from the use or viewing of these animals

* Status

I think this incident was tragic due to the loss of so many beautiful animals who were not living the life they were designed to live. It was scary for a community that was plunged into a chaotic situation that nobody could prepare or be trained for. There is accountability that is needed at top levels to find out why the state did not see the value in banning such ownership. It is the chance to see the bigger picture that there was no justification for keeping these creatures and little compassion granted until they laid dead. (except for the efforts of some to deal previously with animal abuse complaints)

Jack Hanna mentioned on a news broadcast that the wife of Mr. Thompson was devastated that “her children” were taken or killed. That right there, is a statement that for me outlines our unhealthy relationship with wild animals. They are not our children, they are not even ours to keep. They are not best served by being kept in cages or peering from behind glass enclosures. By transferring our human feelings and needs to wild animals we lose sight of their purpose for living. A purpose that never once was to collide with ours; but it does and it has.

What is your opinion? Should private ownership of exotic animals exist? If not…Why? If so…Why? and Is there specific animals that should be banned from that ownership?

As Canada celebrates the death of one serial killer, Clifford Robert Olson and as British Columbia continues its inquiry into the handling of the case against serial killer Robert Pickton we are now hearing about another alleged killer in our midst. Cody Alan Legebokoff is 21 years of age and has been charged with the deaths of four women in the Prince George area. A total of 18 women have been missing between the Prince George and Prince Rupert communities (the highway of tears) and it is quite possible that this individual may have contributed to more disappearances and murders. However,again it must be said at this time Legebokoff has only been charged not convicted of the deaths of four women.

For all intense and purposes this guy didn’t stand out in any way to family or community. In fact, he seemed to have a very average young mans lifestyle; he had family, friends, worked and played sports. Legebokoff had traveled between both BC and Alberta for employment and raised no red flags as far as we the public have been told. However, isn’t that always the case. Men who abuse women, buy women, torture and kill women can not easily be singled out of the crowd. They often become suspects only by a miscalculation on their part or a witness coming forward. Before that occurred, they were just somebodies son, brother or  husband.

Behind the shock of a community is the unimaginable suffering that befalls his family. What if you truly didn’t know that your son, as in the potential case of Cody, was a killer? How do you as a parent come to terms with what is happening? How do you reconcile the emotion with facts? Where do you go from here? I have sympathy for the secondary victims in cases such as these. Cases in which a family or spouse had no inclination that their loved one participated in such horrific crimes. With Olson (I am reluctant to even keep saying his name) I was incensed with the money his wife received as a result of his confession; I truly believe she should have given that to the victims families. Having said that, it is hard to ever know how these families cope.

When I think too about the family of these women, my heart aches. I can only hope that many people continue to surround them with support and speak their daughters names with the respect they deserve. If  Cody Legebokoff is found responsible we need to stand in solidarity with them to see this killer never makes it out of prison. My hope is that our system does not make the mistake in the future of allowing anyone to profit from confessions; no bargains should be made with the devil.

There still is so much work to be done to address the violence against girls and women; in particular aboriginal women. Prostituted women and those whose lives have been affected by drugs and child sexual abuse need the most protection from these types of predators. Our mentality must change, that we see all women as precious not dispensable.

The mindset of these men are the extreme versions of what is intrinsic in our culture. Lack of empathy, distorted views about male and female relationships and misinformation about women/girls in general that fuel a misogynistic fire. There is no respect or dignity in half of what we see projected about the lives of women and their value in our world. In a sick mind this is compounded ten fold. If you are a women who has been marginalized, commodified and ostracized by community you are very vulnerable. This must stop!

We all need to take a long, hard look at how we participate in the acceptance of abuse against women. How we continue to raise sons in a way that still accepts an outdated “boys will be boys” attitude, that is not substantiated by science but more so cultural influence. How we turn a blind eye to our prostituted sisters because we can’t see that they feel, breathe and bleed as we do. That our laws still protect money better than they protect human life.

We may not be able to eradicate the existence of serial killers, torturers and abusers but we sure as hell can turn our attitude and laws around to move towards protection, prevention, compassion and healing for those who are marked as prey.

With peace and remembrance for Loren Dawn Leslie (15 years old), Cynthia Frances Maas, Natasha Lynn Montgomery, Jill Stacey Stuchenko.

Somewhere in the Peace Arch Hospital’s Residential Care Pavilion is a woman waiting to die. She is a ward of the Province which means her care is subsidized but she didn’t have to be. Let me tell you a short story about who she was, how she came to this place and just who put her there.

Wendy (name has been changed for this post) had lead an active life with her husband; they were inseparable. They enjoyed many interests including love of travel and square dancing. They had a modest home on a corner double lot in New Westminster BC which they enjoyed for many, many years. What was nice about being in that neighbourhood was the proximity to amenities and wonderful neighbours who helped them maintain their garden as it became difficult in the senior years. They had no plans to move just grow old in their home surrounded by the things that had become familiar and well loved.

It was less than five years ago when Wendy’s husband became ill and died. He had lived a long life but still it was tragic for Wendy after a long marriage, two children and a lifetime of memories. How was she to go on? On top of all this she had been slowly losing her eye sight. However, being in her home she knew where everything was and tried her best to go about life in her ever darkening world. Her neighbours were still helpful, a housekeeper would come in to clean up, she had meals-on-wheels provided for her and other friends were happy to stay in touch.

There came a day when her daughter, who had been travelling back and forth to check in on her mother, decided that maybe having her mother in a care facility would make better sense. Her brother, who was also involved in this idea, agreed. Despite their mothers reservations with such an idea they went ahead and set in motion her move to a semi-independent living facility. At first it was challenging for Wendy but at least there were things to do and people to see.

One day Wendy took a fall that required her to go to hospital it was there she remained for months to come. She was visited by her daughter, (when she wasn’t traveling the globe or golfing) received calls/visits from her grandson and had some minimal contact with her son but she desperately did not want to stay in the Peace Arch Hospital. This wing of the hospital seemed to hold a lot of people who looked as though they were never going to leave and she felt like a prisoner. The therapy to repair her injury, by her account, was not consistent nor helping. She feared this was her last stop.

Meanwhile, her house and large subdiviable lot was sold and given its location would fetch a substantial amount of money…estimated upwards of $500,000 – $700,000. Money that she would not see a dime of, as little did she know, she was already a ward of the Province. Her assets had been signed over to her daughter and son. I’m sure both Wendy and her late husband believed their children would take good care of handling such matters of their care and use the  money wisely to that end. In a conversation with one of Wendy’s friends it became clear that they were afraid that paying for her care out of that money would mean over time there would be nothing left for them. So, instead they turned her over for tax payers to subsidize.

Astonishingly, besides what appears to be utter disrespect for their mother, is that these individuals don’t even need the money. Both have been highly successful and live extremely well. In fact, the daughter lives in a beautiful home overlooking the ocean in the prestigious White Rock, BC area and the son owns both a house and recreational property. Suffice-to-say, they soon grew tired of their mothers insistence that living this way was not for her. She wanted to go home! The unfortunate reality is there was no home to call her own anymore.

She was eventually moved from her hospital bed to the pavillion where she prays every week to die. She has her faculties about her with only periodic confusion most likely set about by her lack of stimulation and possible medication. She feels particulary frustrated by her inability to change this situation. Wendy hates being dependent on others especially having to use a wheelchair and finds it extremely embarassing to need people to handle her hygiene requirements. She has on several occassions been in a position where no attendant came to her aid despite pressing the button and Wendy soiled herself. This is all too much for her, she feels unwanted and alone.

This is a sad story and one that doesn’t have a good ending. Wendy remains languishing in her own personal hell, a prisoner in place she need not be. There was money and care facilities that could have been perfect for Wendy. A place where she could have her medical needs met while still providing a modicum of independence. More vibrant facilities that are upscale in design and amenities. However, Wendy was not provided those luxuries with her own money instead she was sent away by the very people she cared for most of her life. The very people whose lives are as rich as they are because their parents raised them well enough to survive and thrive in this world.

For some people they have no choice but to place their senior family member in subsidized care and that is why it must exist. However, there are Wendy’s out there and they should be given options. They don’t want to be treated like a child and need to feel like they still matter. To some the elderly become a burden and the money seems more appealing than caring for their parent.  Is this case elder abuse and a misuse of our subsidized system? I think so.

Can you really win the war on drugs?

In 2010 the US Department of Justice released its National Drug Threat Assessment. “Seizures of illegal drugs in transit exceeded 1,626 metric tons” this includes all manner of drugs such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine and other concoctions like methamphetamines and ecstasy (MDMA).

North of the border, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police website offers more stats about the prevalence of drugs in North America. “Marijuana… remains the top domestically produced drug in Canada, comprising approximately 75 percent of all drugs seized in 2008.” However, all the drugs I listed above are also produced and trafficked in both large and small scale across Canada.

It seems that despite the US spending over $15 billion dollars in 2010 alone and Canada injecting its own dollars and manpower, North Americans are not truly ready to stop using. Trying to change the prevalence of drugs in our communities is an ongoing, uphill battle. Though laws, penalties and drug awareness campaigns have increased, people are still unwilling to get the message that drugs are bad for self and society.

No matter how far back we go in history or what culture you study people always found a way to get high. Whether for youthful experimentation, recreational purposes or to ease pain, the need to delve into an alternate reality remains firmly intact.  There are also those that purchase and use drugs as a way to harm others; which is a category of buyers that should be flagged by public and agencies alike.

Growth in prescription drug use is also a problem with narcotics, stimulants, sedatives and tranquilizers making their way from the medicine cabinet to the streets. Gained either from natural sources or pharmaceutically derived, drugs are in the hands of millions of people worldwide whose sole goal is to change the way they feel.

There is no disputing that it kills people, causes widespread problems in communities, damages families and drains systems. The demand also creates a thriving business for the scum of our society who have a vested interest in keeping addicts wanting more.  But will any of that ever change?

Year after year, generation after generation, country to country we have been unable to stop the need for drugs. Those that want it find ways to get it, those that don’t use simply don’t buy.  If one finds themselves addicted and wants treatment it is apparently hard to find a program available that can take them in. Why? Lack of funding.  I wonder how far the scale tips when looking at funding the war on drugs vs. treatment programs.

Here is another thing to consider: With almost all other consumer driven products available on the market we offer choice. Why? So that not one business or entity can take over and gain full monopoly.  What we have for drug users is no other alternative but to become a criminal, gain access to low level gangs or go to high level cartels to purchase the product.

I’m really not sure what the answer is, truly I don’t know what is right anymore. However, when someone can go to prison and still die of a drug overdose, when so many people admit to smoking marijuana, when kids despite numerous ad campaigns still find another drug to use at a party, when prescription drugs are as easy to buy as a candy bar then I would say demand is far exceeding the capabilities of any law enforcement agency.   How do you win a war against something so many are still supporting? Such a challenge with seemingly no easy answer.

“Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.“  ~ Albert Schweitzer

A video clip of the 2001 Emmy Award winning documentary The Urban Elephant was forwarded to me and after watching it I cried; overcome with great joy and sadness. Two elephants that had lived out most of their life in captivity, performing in circuses or on display at the zoo, were reunited after many years of separation. What followed was nothing short of beautiful and heart-wrenching as the elephants Jenny and Shirley began a new chapter together.

What was evident in their reunion was that elephants never forget and they are outstandingly similar to humans in their need for family and connection. Their emotion is not expressed in words but in sounds and behaviour. It was amazing to catch a glimpse of this through these clips. They have the capacity to be joyful, playful, satisfied, courageous, happy, sad, angry, determined, disciplined, peaceful, compassionate and caring. Elephants celebrate with birth and express great sadness with the passing of a loved one. Everything they do is with thought, purpose and remembrance.  So many emotions plus attributes are related to humans but still it astounds me that we can’t quite get past our sense of superiority.

Jenny and Shirley’s story sparked so many unanswered questions for me. Knowing what we know about animal intelligence and in particular these magnificent creatures how does anyone justify their captivity? How can we feel OK about snatching infants away from mothers who clearly fight for their off-spring, separate siblings and friends for no other purpose than to entertain our own families? With all the data that fully supports an elephants knowledge and memory how do we set that aside and think because it can’t say anything that we will speak for it. We assume it is enjoying itself, happy to perform even as it is chained up in a zoo or following the commands at a loud circus full of people. We will make accuses like “Oh, its probably better off here than in the wild” or “Its not being mistreated so what’s the big deal?”

The big deal is that we are not living with compassion. Generation after generation takes an insensitive, self-centered and often callous approach to this matter. Our stewardship is not evident when we add one more species to the endangered list. Our sanity is questionable when we make up ridiculous claims of health benefits that result from the  slaughter of an animal for body parts or decorative home ornaments. We are not demonstrating tenderness when we spend huge dollars to build and maintain zoos to house our captives? We lack sympathy if we care more about our happy child’s face while abandoning compassion for this living, breathing, thinking creature before us?

It occurred to me in the midst of watching these clips that we are simply not the superior species. More often than not we don’t prepare our young for healthy survival. We kill more than we need to eat and we waste more than we should; neither of which happens in the wild. We strip clean our own land so that it can no longer sustain us properly; something nature constantly tries to replenish. We pollute our waters and push our atmosphere  to greater imbalance. Worst of all we enslave each other and any other living thing that can serve our purpose.

Other than those who rescue, rehabilitate, support organizations and reintegrate animals back into their natural habitats, the rest of the humans are simply consumers. So, I agree with Albert Schweitzer – without compassion for all living things we will not find peace. In my brief introduction to these elephants I watched with empathy, felt their plight, noticed the scars and became thankful for their resilience and everlasting friendship. Unfortunately, their years together were somewhat short-lived but no doubt far better than the many years spent elsewhere.

Check out the video links below to learn more about this film and the elephants Jenny and Shirley. A link to the Elephant Sanctuary will also be placed on my Charity’s page.

The Urban Elephant Part 1

The Urban Elephant Part 2

What happened to Jenny and Shirley?

Definition of Celebrity: (from The Free Dictionary)

a widely known person ~ a person of enduring fame ~ a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events ~ a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after) ~ a celebrity who is an inspiration to others ~ a person of considerable prominence ~ a celebrity who receives much acclaim and attention ~ the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed.

Wow! It all sounds so good, doesn’t it? Sought after, inspiring, prominence, honored. Its too bad many so called celebrities are far from what we should emulate, honor or even respect.

You don’t even have to have talent to become a widely known celebrity. Just by saying “Yes” to the latest ‘unreality’ TV show you too can attain instant fame, red carpet appearances, book deals and maybe even a record deal just for being…well, I’m not sure what but what ever it is intelligence and skill is not a prerequisite. Enduring fame is something celebs reach for until someone else comes along to knock them off their pedestal or they end up in rehab.

Some celebrities actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events; look at those unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions that keep coming up for so many FEMALE celebs. Nipplegate, brought on by Janet Jackson’s untimely exposure, changed who performs and how they perform at the Superbowl. I’m sure other measures have been put in place for other live events too; it’s hard to find a good costume designer or seamstress these days.

Having an opinion that is worth listening to is a rarity, celebrity stupid quotes are easy to find on the Internet. Then there are those that have a legitimate opinion but get slammed for having one. It’s probably not a good thing to actually have a brain in some cases because their fans might not be well versed in logic. To speak or not to speak?…that is the question.

A celebrity who is lionized (much sought after) can also have a melt down if someone gets too close. Being sought after is not what its cracked up to be. Speaking of crack ups…think of Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan. Being an inspiration to others is not even on their to do list. When it comes to healthy life choices these three wouldn’t even come close to self care status. Unless, narcissism and substance abuse is now considered self care.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, celebrity turned politician turned back again to celebrity, is a person of considerable prominence who now holds the distinction of being a huge liar. (among other things) One thing that helps celebs are the people who try to do their best to keep the messes from becoming public. That’s the really big messy stuff (like having a love child with your housekeeper) not the kinda thing that gets you on every talk show or on YouTube that’s called “Keeping your name in the spotlight.” Releasing the sex tape to the media is now in the job description of some handlers.

The camera never lies and there are plenty of lenses to catch every misfits misstep along the way. Pandering to the poor suckers who have nothing better to do than to seek out the money shots that trashy celebs use to keep themselves relevant.  A celebrity who receives much acclaim and attention for poor taste, classless clothes and trash talk are a dime a dozen these days. It is true that being widely honored and acclaimed requires very little effort from today’s celeb. Status comes regardless of their actions and adoration is endless in sea of citizens who need to look outside of themselves to feel worthy, powerful and/or beautiful.

We may wonder why people think so little of themselves and each other. We may struggle to find ways to instill in our children a high self esteem. We may long for intelligent conversation. We may ask to laugh without it being at the expense of someones misfortune. We may wish for civility and faintly remember decency. But, you won’t find it in celebrities. They are not a true representation of anything; just manufactured, packaged, bought, sold, replaceable and unfortunately disposable.

It has been difficult to escape the madness that seems to be encircling our globe. With the recent riot in Tottenham over the police shooting of an alleged gangster named Mark Duggan, the mass murders in Norway by Anders Behring Breivik and anti-government protests in countries such as Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Greece, it can feel as if the world has gone mad! Even the United States of America seems to be imploding as the battle continues over how to stabilize the country from its economic meltdown. Worldwide legitimate peaceful protesters, political opportunists and angry anarchists are converging in the same arenas to have their message heard. Are we listening?

I’m having troubles listening over the screams, the flashing lights, breaking glass and fires in the streets. I can’t hear anyone’s point as they shout at each other or fully understand the merits of dogma that seems counter intuitive to land of the free and the home of the brave. I am picking up on a distinct negative energy that is associated with intense fear and an unwillingness to accept the necessity for change; as difficult as that change may be. I’m seeing people trying to continue to rest on the bosom that has fed them for so long without recognizing it can no longer sustain their appetite. So, I guess something is getting through…as convoluted as it may be.

There is a state of great crisis throughout the world that is predicated on the argument that only through violence, name-calling and even self destruction you will get what you want. That’s simply not so. It is as if the globe is spinning so fast that everyone is dizzy; they can’t quite get their bearings. With their focus blurred they are simply unable to determine what is right in front of them. There is vulnerability in this state that makes everyone susceptible to further government, financial and business mismanagement. Laying in the midst of all of this is mistrust and intolerance, each with their hands clasped around ankles in an effort to keep people on soiled ground.

Does anyone have the answers we need to improve relations, fix the debt, stop the violence, squash intolerance, rebuild justice and lead us to an agreeable route forward?

Is there a common denominator in all of this that has us running in circles?

Is there an antidote to this madness?

I wish I knew the answers.

Mad World by Tears For Fears

Shout by Tears For Fears

Next to raising children the hardest job must be educating them. That would explain why teachers have so many days off in a year.

I say that because most of us are likely to work between 232 – 246 days out of 52 weeks in a year. I’m sure some of you can’t remember your last day off or have become accustom to working more days and longer hours. The Standard School Calendar for British Columbia states teachers are in session somewhere between 192 and 194 days. (That doesn’t always mean they are instructing either)  Besides stat holidays and vacation time there are also Professional Development days. The Professional Development Calendar outlines for members upcoming conferences and includes information on Province-wide PSA Days. I’d be curious as to how many attend conferences in the summer months or for that matter how many take it upon themselves to upgrade on weekends, at night or during vacation; like the rest of us.

If class sizes are rising and more challenging students arrive every year, wouldn’t it make sense to work longer? I mean, if it is about the students quality of education (least that’s whats said by educators and their union) it would stand to reason that extending the school year will help weary teachers from trying to cram in too much in the measly hours they have. This love of educating our children should translate to longer school terms, not shorter.

While many workers benefits have been reduced or never existed, including those whose jobs could be deemed as dangerous, teachers are taken care of quite well. Health, disability, insurance, counseling, retirement plans, are all there to cushion the blow from the high pressure that accompanies all those days instructing children, preparing lessons and marking tests. I’m sure if we were a fly on the wall we would be able to see them working long into the night to complete that goal, but join the club. Least a teachers so called heavy workload tapers off several times a year.

I have to tell you something else. On several occasions I have had clients/students who have primarily considered the prestigious career of teaching because and I quote “I want the time off during the summer.” This is most commonly followed up by references to benefits and their ideas for spending time with family or traveling. Now, to be fair, this would be a small sampling over the last 15 years but none-the-less I’m sure I’m not the only one in my field or outside of it that has heard a similar statement.

Here’s my bottom line:

I support a longer school year – not shorter.

If it’s about the kids then put the time in – No Professional Development Days when kids are in session. If teachers need to upgrade they should do it on their time; like the majority of the working public.

Don’t protect the lazy teachers – Bring in those that are truly passionate about what they do, regardless of days off and benefits.

Get more Special Education Assistants in the schools to support teachers – and make sure those SEA’s are properly respected for their valuable role in our classrooms.

The debate over discipline rages on. Even saying the word “discipline” can raise the blood pressure of those that would prefer to use gentler, kinder and more broader terms such as “parenting style.” Reading blogs, scanning parenting forums and websites, participating in or listening to conversations on the topic of discipline it can feel at times like there is a true hate on for its existence.

There can literally be both family and societal divide on what constitutes punishment and exactly how you correct a child’s bad behaviour. This divide is played out in various relationships. Grandparents are scolded for using language or a tone that in their generation would have been perfectly acceptable for teaching a child the importance of regulation.  Siblings fighting with each other because one of their kids said something to the others kid and now nobody speaks. Friends who no longer enjoy time together because the child now rules what, where and when the parents can participate in adult activities.

The last two generations of parents have tried mightily to get as far away as they can from any corpral punishment which is something the elderly in our society remember well. They survived fine but subsequent new parents decided after years of therapy (or no therapy but a few parenting books) that swatting your child as part of discipline was the wrong thing to do. The sub debate to discipline is whether “time outs” and “taking away favourite items” are more effective tools. To my horror was the emergence of “bribery” also known as “bargaining” for behaviour modification. Bribery replaced old methods, in that telling Johnny “If you do this for mommy she will let you have that toy” holds more respect and morality than other outdated non-bargaining methods.

In the debate over discipline you can come up against what is called “Momma Bear” protectiveness. Regardless of whether the child was in the wrong, “Momma Bear” rises up to swat at the perceived attacker. I came across a woman who once used that term while describing her account of protecting her twenty year old child. What was interesting was my coming to the realization (as she happily droned on about the Momma Bear spirit) that she had never investigated what transpired between her daughter and the others involved. She simply leaped into protect mode and forgot to assess the situation. Even baby bears get put into line when they go against the teachings but with our species you have many Momma’s that swat others first and ask questions later. (or never)

If you don’t have children (like my husband and I) you are far less likely to be taken seriously if you are in any conversation about child rearing. You could work with children all day long in your professional life, study their development from birth to adulthood but if you are sitting around having a conversation about discipline or parental guidance and nothing has passed from your womb, your opinion is rendered inadmissible. In other forums in life, having enough distance to see a situation with some clarity is appreciated; if your childless your emotional distance holds no credibility.

Sometimes people from the old school way of handling children weigh in when they have had quite enough of what they perceive is a pansy approach to parenting. They have raised children and have learned a few things that they have to pass along. This only fuels the debate to inferno status. Starting any sentence with “back in the day” results in eye brow raising and verbal bullets being loaded by new parents on the receiving end. Everyone thinks they are right, there is no way to win this debate.

I tend to wonder if the word discipline will one day be deemed politically incorrect. In its place will be words or statements that make everyone feel better.  Maybe instead of “we are disciplining our child” it will be softened to ” we are fostering change” or “we are adjusting attitudes” or “we are nourishing his/her understanding of right and wrong” or “we are providing healthy alternative thinking.”

Whatever you want to call it, it still has to be done.

Brittany Waters, one of Canada’s top rugby players, was profiled on Global BC TV’s News Hour Sports. The interview started out like most athlete features in which we heard some background information on how she got into the sport and some of her accomplishments. Eventually, it went off the rugby field and down sexism street.

The initial hook to the story appeared to be the “twist of fate” that got her into the sport of rugby and was followed by capturing the success of Brittany Waters. This could be an inspirational story as we learn there is no mandatory start or expiry date when it comes to unleashing your natural abilities. Pat Fleck, her coach, put all that into perspective in his statement regarding men and women capitalizing on their natural talents. Good interview so far…

Then the interviewer fell into statements and questioning that would be expected from a man generations ago. The kind of interview that mocked women athletes, the statements that were designed to highlight the differences in gender, the questions that were concerned about what a woman’s husband would think; that type of backwards thinking.

He goes on to reflect about the “irony” that Brittany got into the sport so late; given that her father, brother and husband played rugby. That’s not irony. He then puts his foot further in his mouth by letting viewers know that “her husband doesn’t  mind her coming home with cauliflower ears.” WHAT? Just when you thought he couldn’t possible fit more of that foot in without choking he asks, “What does your husband think about this?” followed up by an old but very sexist piece of verbal diarrhea “He’s not worried about you breaking a nail or anything.”

WHAT THE HECK KINDA QUESTIONING IS THAT?!!

For all of you people out there that think this is a ‘one off’, you are wrong. Sexism in the media (and sports) is alive and well. Yes, there has  been some advances but still to this day women can hear these types of statements or questioning. I defy you to find any of the above being broached to a ‘male’ athlete; what any woman would think whether mother, sister or wife, would be for the most part inconsequential. I have provided a link below, just so that you know I didn’t make this up. See for yourself and see what you think. Sexist or what?

As for Brittany Waters, she handled the interview well. Very good to see Brittany’s success; wishing her and her team all the best in the future.

Top Female Rugby Player Video