The Dashing Chronicles: On racism in Saskatchewan

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John L.:

The slaying of Colton Boushie allegedly at the hands of Gerald Stanley
revealed the dark side of Saskatchewan.

A Saskatchewan where racism is alive
and, from all appearances, doing well. Here to comment is Eagle Feather News’
Dirk “Don’t Taze Me Bro” Dashing. Dirk, is racism alive and well?

Dirk: Racism is indeed alive and well in this province, John. But before
we delve into that subject I want to acknowledge the class of the Boushie
family. When most of us would spout rage and maybe even entertain dark thoughts
of revenge, the family responded with gestures of peace. Classy, John.

John L.: By everyone’s account Colton was a decent, hardworking young
man, and respected in his community and everyone that knew him. And you’re
right Dirk, the family took such a courageous stand, and chose to honour his
memory.

Dirk: Had I been in their shoes, John, I would have gone down a dark
path, spewing colourful descriptions of racists as pitiful, evil creatures.

John L.: Wait. What?

Dirk: Personally, John, I would have literally blown the last fuse in my
massive, computer like, um, brain thingy that controls sensibility and
diplomacy. I can feel it now…

John L.: Dirk, please, you’re not talking about a repeat of the
Helskinki Indecent are you?

Dirk: That’s right, John. I would have described the senseless shooting
as an act arising from pure, seething rage. And rage-aholics are so freaking small,
what with their shallow, dark, glazed eyes, and low, slanting foreheads so
ideas like compassion, foresight and common sense are more likely to slide
safely away from their diminished brains…

John L.: Alright Dirk, ease up there, buddy.

Dirk: …for theirs is a world of easy, empty answers, where their failed
miserable lives are never their fault even as they conceal in their hearts
dark, malevolent fantasies of righteously righting imagined wrongs, of being
heroes in the style of Hitler, Trump and the boring, helmet-haired Harper.

John L.: Dirk. I need you to, as the youngsters are saying today,
“chillax.”

Dirk: Dude, you just made yourself old just now. But I did not go there.
I did not say those things because, John, I am a peacemaker. I’m lover not a
fighter.

John L.: Thanks Dirk, I think. At the risk of opening up the same can of
worms, what do you make of the legions of Facebook “Likes” that Gerald Stanley
got for killing an innocent First Nation man?

Dirk: Y’know, the wonderful thing about our people is our embrace of
technology. Screen shots of all the people Liking the act were taken. And all
the hate filled, vile and adolescent supporters of the killing of First Nation
people were captured for eternity. Their places of employment are being
notified, creating unease and unwelcome consequences. Sweet justice, John.
Sweet.

Related: Racism exposed following Colten Boushie’s death

John L.: I suppose there is some justice in that, and people are being
held accountable. But is the situation really that bleak? Is racism that
rampant in Saskatchewan?

Dirk: John, I talked with none other than Winston McLean, a first rater
cross cultural awareness trainer. He tells me, that in his 20 years of doing
his thing, he only encountered 3 instances of blatant racism. When audiences learn
the history why things are the way they are, they come around.

John L.: Winston McLean? Salt of the earth? Humble? Shocking good looks?
Size 12 shoes? Drives a Mazda?

Dirk: The same, John. A Mazda 6, I might add.

John L.: Personally, it is good to hear there is hope. Perhaps, as more
and more people learn we will create a safer and sane Saskatchewan. Perhaps
that’s part of the legacy we should help create for the Boushie family.

*****

Dirk’s last column, “Men and the Missing and Murdered Women’s Inquiry”,
created a stir.

There were complaints.

Dirk was glib. Dirk was insensitive. Dirk was inappropriate. Dirk was
many things.

For the offense created, Dirk and his writer, Winston McLean, regret the
bad feelings.

Related: Letter to the editor: Column on MMIWG hurtful and reckless

But it is true, many instances of abuse are domestic in nature, and that
shite is not right! It is also true abuse is delivered by the hands of
privileged white perpetrators – this will be a subject for a future column.
Abuse is also “available” at the hands of new Canadian predators – yet another
subject for a future column.

Dirk is not done with this topic.

Still, Dirk, for all his alleged insight, he makes mistakes. Write me.

Dirk says, My father was a simple
man. My mother was a simple woman. You see the result standing in front of you,
a simpleton.