Accusations, racism, what is really happening in our society?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

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 or socially unacceptable actions.

In Toronto a young boy is placed into 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. Many people seem to believe the accusations without hearing the evidence of what happened, why the child was treated as he was. The mother is shouting racism, and her message is the only message the media and 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, possibly violent? How else has the system stepped in to see what the child, or parent needs? Does racism exist in our school boards? Will a mother defend her child no matter the perceived or real situation? Did the child act out and be difficult?

Years ago I was raped by a distant relative. I tried to tell the immediate family what happened. My accusations were heard, but I was punished for telling stories about their beloved son, husband and brother. Accusations, whether 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 do happen.

Paranoia can create situations where a person feels persecuted and fearful of others, their race and colour of their skin imagined as the very reasons for others actions.

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.