In response to ‘‘Quebecoise in UPEI”’

Asan anglophone born and raised in the province of Quebec, I feel I have the right to speak out not only about the Constitutional Crisis but also about the attitudes surrounding it.

Ms. ‘‘Quebecoise’’, I completely agree with you that yes, this whole mess is indeed serious and should not be dismissed as trivial. It is a terrible problem that must be solved before it is too late and Canada os torn apart. However, if the negotiators share your

ignorant attitude, we are obviously along way froma breakthrough.

First of all, Canada is made up of a variety of cul- tures. That’s what makes it such an interesting nation. There is more to Canada that just English and French - we are Native, Irish, Scottish, Oriental, Russian, German, Italian, Jewish, Ukrainian, Dutch and a whole slew of other nationalities. We can learn

from one another and we can adapt to each other’s heritage. We are diverse.

Secondly, Canada is a country with ten provinces and two territories, each of which by itself can be consid- ered distinct in it’s own right without having a docu- ment stating that fact. By saying Quebec is different from other provinces is no surprise -every division of

this country is different from another, yet amazingly, they allseem to getalong.

Thirdly, as individuals, we should all be subject to equal opportunity - not because of the colour of our skin, the gods we choose to worship, or, least of all, whether we are French or English. Rather, in spite of allthatcrap. I have no argument in terms of bilin- gualism; I think itis favourable to anyone who can speak more that one language. But let’s not make Canadian citizens who are not able to do so feel like

an oppressed and undesirable minority in their own country.

Fourthly, Ms. ““Quebecoise’’, the French gota pretty good deal out of that war back in 1763. They lost but at least they got to stay. It could have been worse: your ancestors could have been deported like the Acadians - so don’t knock it. Be grateful - andl think we all should be for the right to live freely and develop our potential as individuals.

Fifthly, Quebec couldn’t make it on it’s own backin the fifties and it won’t be able to do itnow. If you seem to think itcan, perhaps you should go dig up Duplessis and Leveque and see if they can help. Finally, I think the whole problem with this crisis (and this is what formulates the attitudes) is that we have forgotten what this multi-cultural society has made us. I may be from Quebec, I may have British ancestors, I may speak French, butlamnota Quebecer, a Brit or even simply bilingual. Honey, I’m a Canadian and, believe it or not, so are you.

Let’s just hope we can get home for Christmas with- out passports.

Signed, Aconcerned CANADIAN from Quebec.

WAULNG, SO FAR KT "tHe. ORGEES OF TORONTO. Yo eS WAVE tO 7

| DUNNO IF 1 Uke

Please note: In the October 3rd issue of the X- Press the Residence Life artical should have read Blanchard Hall had no participants in the shinarat carwash not Bernadine Hall as stated. Also Maria

Hall raised $550 at the Terry Fox run. Sorry for problems.

UPEI X-P RESS

October 10, 1991