Accusations Fly; Racist, Homophobe, Sexist, Misogynist, degenerate, pervert, hater et al…
We hear of situations lived by others where one person accuses another of politically/Socially unacceptable actions.
In Toronto, a young boy is placed in a small room away from the other students. There is a reason this has happened but no one seems to explain it clearly. The mother accuses the teacher and principal of anti-black attitudes…Racism. Many people seem to believe the accusations without hearing the evidence of what happened, and why the child was treated as he was. The mother is shouting racism, and her message is the only message the media and the public are hearing. Why?
Are public servants, teachers, and others frightened of such accusations and are these accusations warranted? Was the child unruly, difficult to communicate with, disruptive, and possibly violent? We do not know, yet the organizations that usually appear when an accusation like this happens have surfaced with a thunderous cry of demands that the school board and the City carry out transparent investigations immediately. Push and push until it hurts. That is what is happening here, and full disclosure from both parties is still not known. Does racism exist in our school boards? Perhaps. Will a mother defend her child no matter the perceived or real situation? Did the child act out and be difficult? Possibly.
Years ago I was raped by a distant relative. I tried to tell the immediate family what happened. My accusation’s were heard, and not only not acted upon, but I was punished for telling stories about their beloved son, husband, and brother. Accusations, whether the real or imaginary need to be dealt with properly. If a false accusation is made, deal with it. Accusations can result in horrendous things, tearing a family or community apart, suicide, and violence. The destruction of reputations and careers can and does happen.
Persecutory delusions and accusations can develop. All that we need and require is swift and thoughtful responses from all concerned. Paranoia can create situations where a person feels persecuted and fearful of others, their race, and the color of their skin imagined as the very reasons for others’ actions. Saying no to a child can be a simple thing, with no racial, political, or social consequence.
While the accuser acquires media fame, the accused are sent home, with their careers and future prospects in jeopardy. An immediate investigation is needed, with objectivity paramount. If the child was acting badly, announce it. The Public deserved to know. Justice requires it.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
