Calgary Herald opinion: Racism and sexism still a thing in Alberta

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Gender ought to now not be a difficulty. Not when so many ladies — albeit not sufficient — have shattered the glass ceiling.

However contemplate Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and the racism, sexism and misogyny that has dogged her for years. Now, below the guise of criticizing her model and management, some man is endeavouring to cadge sufficient signatures on a petition to have her recalled. Barring that, to no less than drive her to resign.

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Enterprise proprietor Landon Johnston has till Thursday to submit 514,284 signatures to be verified by the town clerk’s workplace. That quantity represents 40 per cent of Calgary’s inhabitants, in accordance with the 2019 census. If Johnston is profitable, it is going to take months and cash (ours, by the way in which) to confirm all of the signatures. In the meantime, Gondek will proceed to be harassed.

Recall laws is a thorn within the aspect of the physique politic. Frankly, our tax {dollars} and salaried clerks ought to have higher issues to cope with than this nonsense.

No politician doesn’t have detractors, however that is too near dwelling. By the way, Johnston has assist from a bunch calling itself Undertaking YYC, whose intention is to put in a extra “conservative” mayor and council. I learn that to imply bringing a extra UCP-friendly crowd to take over metropolis corridor.

Nobody has uttered the “she’s not match as a result of she’s a girl” trope however I believe that’s all a part of it, too. Why it hasn’t raised its ugly head might have quite a bit to do with the truth that the present premier of the province is a girl, as was a former premier. Form of foolish guilty misogyny when voters of all stripes, colors and genders have spoken on the poll and made Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley premiers of this province.

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However right here’s the actual ugly a part of this: Gondek isn’t only a girl, she’s not white, not named Joan or Janice and, because the British say, she’s non-U. (Not higher class; not us. How unhealthy does it get? I’ve met Gondek solely as soon as, and in response to my query mentioned she’s been insulted in each acist and sexist phrases.)

I make this assumption in regards to the underlying sexism waged towards Gondek and maintain this opinion for a easy purpose: been there, accomplished that, lived by way of outright sexism — drunken groping, lewd remarks, accusations of being a “ball-buster,” and Playboy and Penthouse pin-ups plastered on the partitions of the newspaper’s again store.

At the least all that was blatant. However contemplate the ignominy of being advised there might be no company membership within the Calgary Petroleum Membership as a result of the possible member occurred to be a girl — me. It took quite a few votes, the backing of the writer and a concerted effort of extra enlightened males to vary the foundations to permit girls to be members. Think about the joys I felt when Bonnie DuPont — the breaker of many glass ceilings — grew to become the primary girl president of that membership.

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Let’s not ignore the august Ranchmen’s Membership, the venue for a gathering of the newspaper’s editorial board with the prime minister’s chief of employees. A doorman turned away a bunch arriving by taxi as a result of one passenger was a girl and she or he was not permitted to enter the membership by the entrance door. 4 of us, three male colleagues and I, took the stroll of disgrace to the again door. To his credit score, the then-editor had the grace to be embarrassed. One member of the editorial board thought telling me I used to be “identical to a person” was a praise.

We should always always remember the late Pat Carney, who was minister of power in 1984 and who soundly rejected the title of “honorary man” so she might meet the oil executives of Calgary on their very own turf, on the Petroleum Membership.

Suppose I’m being cynical and easing my very own bruises? Contemplate Christine Silverberg, Calgary’s former police chief and the primary girl chief constable of a serious Canadian metropolis.

Ultimately she grew to become a lawyer and, on receiving an honorary diploma from Mount Royal College, mentioned to the graduating class: “As a girl within the policing occupation, I encountered discrimination, sexual harassment and, in fact, the inequitable however important must show myself always.”

Certainly, in 2024, all that ought to now be in our rear-view mirror.

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