Canadian Human Rights Museum
Did you know that in Canada, women were not considered persons, under the law, until 1929? That may seem like a long time ago, but my grandmother was in the first generation of Canadian women to be considered persons. Not so long ago after all.
Did you know that First Nations (native) Canadians were did not have the right to freely vote until 1960? They could vote prior to that, but were then required to relinquish all treaty rights. First of all, this was an unreasonable and unjust expectations. Second, treaty agreements were violated again and again (and still not fully honoured) by the Canadian goverment anyway. Third, 1960 is practically yesterday. We may have come a long way in a short time, but we have a long way to go.
I bring these examples up to demonstrate the realities of the human rights battle that are a part of our own, relatively progressive context. Looking at the global community, we discover that human rights have been (and continue to be) systematically violated. These are battles that must be at the forefront of our missional endeavours as Christian communities- simply as humans created in God’s image.
This is why I am excited about the The Canadian Human Rights Museum being built here in Winnipeg. The CHRM is dedicated to advancing understanding and support for human rights in Canada and throughout the world and will be a national and international destination – a centre of learning and history where people can engage in dialogue and commit to taking action to combat the forces of hate and oppression. Located in at The Forks in Winnipeg,the museum will be the largest human rights centre in the world, with a special focus on equipping and educating young people to become human rights leaders and advocates. Check out the website to find out more.
One way you can support this exciting venture is the Shine pin campaign. They recently launched “Shine” a commemorative “reach for the stars” pin in support of the Museum. The pin is a limited edition pin, intended to raise awareness and funds for the Museum and to promote the idea that everyone can be a human rights “star”. It is great, as it is not a pin at all, but a magnetic “pin”, strong enough to stay put, but without danger of being poked or damaging your clothes. Get it at the website here.
Check it out and get involved. While it won’t official open until 2010, it is worth getting involved with now.
re women’s vote, In 1929 women were found to be “persons” and therefore had the right to vote federally [meaning before that they were. . .?] – the Election Act of the Dominion of Canada had said “No woman, idiot, lunatic or criminal shall vote.” btw in Quebec women got the vote in 1940.
Bill,
Thanks for filling in some of the blanks.
Peace,
Jamie
“…where people can engage in dialogue and commit to taking action to combat the forces of hate and oppression.” This sort of thing goes on all the time.
The proposed museum is more of a tribute to one person than a must-have facility. In fact, it is shaping up to be a facility desperate to justify its existence.
Every grandiose idea associated with the museum is already being worked on without the creation of a money-losing building. The facilitity is being touted as being some savior but it is one of many, many such similar human rights centres around the world, most of which are called Holocaust museums. They all have pretty much the save goal with lofty, and fluffy ideals that matter not iota to brutal dictators around the world. How much attention isbeing focused on Darfur? Virtually none, yet all the existing human rights museums all try to educate, etc., so that we won’t see violations that are taking place in Darfur.
Will Jewish, Zionist, Israeli peace groups be allowed to speak at the museum? I bet not, because these groups are almost exclusively made up of current and former soldiers (pilots, doctors, tank commandos, snipers, etc.) who can testify that they were tasked with carrying out acts of terror by the state of Israel. That means that Israel is,in fact, a terrorist state. If these groups are not allowed to speak, then clearly the building is more of a political tool than a centre to discuss ideas. Will the museum call on the State of Israel to cease committing acts of terror? Not likely! Why should we pay for this centre of what is really selective human rights?
Refusenik,
Thanks for your perspective. While you have some interesting points, I think you are not painting even close to a fair picture. However, you are, of course, entitled to your own opinion.
Peace,
Jamie
It was supposed to be the Holocost Museum in the first place.
Anonymous, I hadn’t heard that, but I think it is a positive move to big a wider focus. Do you disagree?
Peace,
Jamie