The chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission says more education is needed about what constitutes discrimination, both direct and indirect.
Nathalie Chiasson is weighing in on the controversial “straight pride” flag-raising in the village of Chipman, N.B., this past week.
“Earlier this week we were reminded that, while as a nation and as a province we have placed human rights at the centre of our moral compass, the struggle to eliminate the conditions which cause or perpetuate discrimination in its many forms is far from over,” Chiasson said in a statement.
“The raising of a flag apparently in support of all groups in a New Brunswick community had the opposite negative effect.”
UPDATE: The village of #Chipman has taken down the flag, less than 24 hours after it went up, and replaced it with a Canadian flag. https://t.co/Tv5ZZ1GxYs
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) October 22, 2018
The village removed the flag on Monday, one day after raising it during a ceremony, after fierce outrage from the community and beyond.
In a statement hours later, the village council said no harm or hate was intended by raising the flag.
But Chiasson said the decision shows a lack of understanding of how it would be accepted by an already marginalized group.
“If we are to change the narrative about diversity and inclusion, and how we achieve it, we must do so collectively, knowledgeably and respectfully,” she said.
Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(Photo submitted by The White Manor)
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