To Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, don't use the Gerald Stanley verdict as a means to propel yourself to power by dividing Canadians between those who are white and those who are not.Ìý
We are not the United States and we should aim to avoid being like them by burdening ourselves with an inescapable violent and racist past.Ìý
The only thing that differentiates Canada from most other countries in the world is we do not have a history as violent as most other countries in the world. I am not sure why that is, but when political leaders in this country copy actions of others past and present, who were happy to divide their people based on their skin colour as a means to propel themselves to power, that is very concerning.Ìý
The prosecution team in the Stanley trial did not proceed with available minor chargers that could have landed Stanley in jail. Instead, they opted for two options that required an insurmountable standard of proof to legitimize those charges.
It should have been obvious to the prosecution that a group of drunken people, who had carried out recent criminal activities with the rifle found at the crime scene, would be unable to provide submissions to the court that would meet the standard of proof required to charge Stanley with murder.Ìý
The legal system is not an instrument for political crusades, and if the prosecution team felt emotionally that Stanley should have been charged with second-degree murder or manslaughter, they should have taken a step back and thought about what was actually possible.Ìý
Firing warning shots at somebody or getting into a physical altercation with someone while holding a gun, where that person was unsure if that gun was loaded, shows a lack of concern for human life.Ìý
To that same end, driving around drunk with an improperly stored loaded rifle also shows an equal lack of concern for human life.
Careless use of a firearm causing death or criminal negligence causing death are charges that would have likely stuck against Stanley.
Overall the treatment of Indigenous peoples by many past and present governments shows a lack of concern collectively for all their lives.Ìý
Every time a legal gun owner in Canada uses their firearms to kill somebody, that is fuel that drives public support towards banning all firearms. It has happened in many places around the world, which has resulted in only corrupt governments and criminals owning firearms.Ìý
The only thing Canada wants to do with Indigenous people is forget about them and pacify them with taxpayer money, while taking the politically correct approach by letting them govern themselves, as if being Indigenous means you are incapable of being corrupt or greedy.Ìý
Every time I go to a protest that is lined with Indigenous issues, I see a lot of non-Indigenous people claiming to care about them, so they can selfishly pursue their own motives of feeling virtuous. After they are done yelling and running around holding signs that bear names of things they don't understand, they go to some coffee shop afterwards and Instagram to their friends how virtuous they are, as if that is the only way they are allowed to have social interaction with their friend group.Ìý
Some ignorant protestor running around with a sign or some ignorant politician looking to gain votes, so they can satisfy their pursuit of power being the only thing that gives meaning to their life, are both looking to gain something from Indigenous issues without actually helping Indigenous people.Ìý
The only thing those seeking virtue or those seeking power have right is that nothing has changed as far as Indigenous peoples being utilized as a means to an end.Ìý
There are extremely high suicide rates within Indigenous communities; there are also extremely high crimes rates within Indigenous communities. Predominantly their livelihood is much lower than that of most Canadians, and all of it has been going on for a very long time. That is because most who want to help are either seeking power or the need to feel virtuous and once those things are ascertained their want to help evaporates.Ìý
There are no shortcuts to getting real power or getting real virtue; those things have to be earned and being the hero doesn't mean going with the status quo. It means going against it and bearing the consequences of doing so.Ìý
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