"Her white privilege has clearly contributed to her ignorance about the racism faced by members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities."
By Fareed Khan & Trent Daley
Oct 19, 2022
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith decided to mark the start of her leadership of Alberta by demonstrating a serious lack of leadership when she made a comment in a media conference last week that unvaccinated people are “the most discriminated-against group” in her lifetime. In the opinion of many Albertans, including opposition MLAs and leaders of racialized communities, she must apologize unreservedly for her outrageous and ignorant comment.
Perhaps Smith has not met very many racialized people in her lifetime or learned about Canada’s history of racism? But in truth this is not ignorance or an isolation bubble, but rather a premier adopting divisive and dog-whistle rhetoric representing white supremacy and anti-intellectualism.
Despite numerous calls to do so, Smith has failed to apologize for making the comment or adequately address the incident. Instead, she responded by claiming that her comment was referring to people facing government restrictions. Whether that is the case or not, it is still wrong and offensive.
In addition, past social media posts have come to light showing that Smith engaged in genocide denial in relation to Indigenous people. How can someone who aspired to be leader of Alberta have posted such lies and disinformation when we have been hearing more and more stories about the horrific experiences of Indigenous people over the past decade?
The premier’s comment shows she is out of touch with reality, and that Alberta now has a leader who is ignorant of the ugly, racist history of Canada. To claim that the unvaccinated have been more discriminated against than Indigenous people, Black people, Muslims, Jews or the 2SLGBTQ+ community, is beyond the pale. All these communities deserve an apology from Smith and she needs to publicly commit to learn how racism, hate and white supremacy have played major roles in Canada’s evolution.
Her white privilege has clearly contributed to her ignorance about the racism faced by members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities. Historically, racialized Canadians and those from minority faith communities have had to face racism in their daily lives and continue to do so today. Just ask Indigenous people who have faced genocide, Black people who have experienced police brutality, or Muslims who have been targeted by governments under national security laws simply because of their faith. Smith’s comment does not instil confidence in Alberta’s BIPOC communities that she will be a friend to them.
Over the last several years, hate crimes have skyrocketed in Alberta and across the country, particularly during the pandemic. Indigenous children’s graves are still being discovered at former residential school sites, Muslim women have been attacked in Edmonton and Calgary and 11 Muslims have been killed in hate attacks since 2017, and yet Smith thinks that the unvaccinated are the bigger victims. It boggles the mind.
The vast majority of the unvaccinated made conscious decisions to not receive COVID vaccines, and as such, they pose a health threat to those with compromised immune systems. Furthermore, their decision violates the rights of those who are immunocompromised and discriminates against their right to live free of threats to their health. Why does the premier not express concern and outrage about how the freedoms of these people are being violated?
If the way she campaigned during the UCP leadership race is any indication, Smith has chosen to continue to embrace far-right ideologies and messaging, and has adopted the anti-government radicalism of the so-called “freedom” convoy as part of her brand. What we have is a premier flirting with domestic extremists, someone who has laid out the welcome mat for white supremacists, rather than representing all Albertans responsibly.
The only way that Smith can dissipate the outrage her comment elicited is to make a sincere apology to racialized and marginalized communities who have been the targets of hateful and racist attacks, who have faced government policies that have deprived them of their human rights, and commit that her government will stand against hate, racism and xenophobia, and defend those in affected communities.
Premier Smith needs to be held accountable for the harm her comment has caused. She must retract it lest the fallout from this incident energizes and enables far-right and white supremacist elements to further target BIPOC communities with racist violence.
Perhaps Smith has not met very many racialized people in her lifetime or learned about Canada’s history of racism? But in truth this is not ignorance or an isolation bubble, but rather a premier adopting divisive and dog-whistle rhetoric representing white supremacy and anti-intellectualism.
Despite numerous calls to do so, Smith has failed to apologize for making the comment or adequately address the incident. Instead, she responded by claiming that her comment was referring to people facing government restrictions. Whether that is the case or not, it is still wrong and offensive.
In addition, past social media posts have come to light showing that Smith engaged in genocide denial in relation to Indigenous people. How can someone who aspired to be leader of Alberta have posted such lies and disinformation when we have been hearing more and more stories about the horrific experiences of Indigenous people over the past decade?
The premier’s comment shows she is out of touch with reality, and that Alberta now has a leader who is ignorant of the ugly, racist history of Canada. To claim that the unvaccinated have been more discriminated against than Indigenous people, Black people, Muslims, Jews or the 2SLGBTQ+ community, is beyond the pale. All these communities deserve an apology from Smith and she needs to publicly commit to learn how racism, hate and white supremacy have played major roles in Canada’s evolution.
Her white privilege has clearly contributed to her ignorance about the racism faced by members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) communities. Historically, racialized Canadians and those from minority faith communities have had to face racism in their daily lives and continue to do so today. Just ask Indigenous people who have faced genocide, Black people who have experienced police brutality, or Muslims who have been targeted by governments under national security laws simply because of their faith. Smith’s comment does not instil confidence in Alberta’s BIPOC communities that she will be a friend to them.
Over the last several years, hate crimes have skyrocketed in Alberta and across the country, particularly during the pandemic. Indigenous children’s graves are still being discovered at former residential school sites, Muslim women have been attacked in Edmonton and Calgary and 11 Muslims have been killed in hate attacks since 2017, and yet Smith thinks that the unvaccinated are the bigger victims. It boggles the mind.
The vast majority of the unvaccinated made conscious decisions to not receive COVID vaccines, and as such, they pose a health threat to those with compromised immune systems. Furthermore, their decision violates the rights of those who are immunocompromised and discriminates against their right to live free of threats to their health. Why does the premier not express concern and outrage about how the freedoms of these people are being violated?
If the way she campaigned during the UCP leadership race is any indication, Smith has chosen to continue to embrace far-right ideologies and messaging, and has adopted the anti-government radicalism of the so-called “freedom” convoy as part of her brand. What we have is a premier flirting with domestic extremists, someone who has laid out the welcome mat for white supremacists, rather than representing all Albertans responsibly.
The only way that Smith can dissipate the outrage her comment elicited is to make a sincere apology to racialized and marginalized communities who have been the targets of hateful and racist attacks, who have faced government policies that have deprived them of their human rights, and commit that her government will stand against hate, racism and xenophobia, and defend those in affected communities.
Premier Smith needs to be held accountable for the harm her comment has caused. She must retract it lest the fallout from this incident energizes and enables far-right and white supremacist elements to further target BIPOC communities with racist violence.
Fareed Khan is founder of Canadians United Against Hate.
Trent Daley is on the Anti-racism Advisory Committee to the City of Edmonton.
© 2022 Edmonton Journal, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Trent Daley is on the Anti-racism Advisory Committee to the City of Edmonton.
© 2022 Edmonton Journal, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved.
