Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor
2nd August 2006, 00:47
I was arguing with two of my friends about the rights of Quebec citizens to collectively assemble. They say Quebec is a spoiled child who threatens to separate to get more political sway. Regardless, they say Quebec is injustified in separating from Canada even if they succeed through a referendum. They say that Quebec joined confederation and cannot take Canada's land because it doesn't belong to them. I argue that Quebec citizens who want to separate should be able to do so on a non-geographical basis while maintaining relations with Canada when it is mutually beneficial. In short, they deny individuals the right to collectively assemble (thereby oppressing them) and think Quebec fundamentally has no right to become its own nation - regardless of majority opinion in Quebec. My friend sees no difference in using majority rule for Quebec to separate and using majority rule in Canada to make Quebec stay. Clearly one is used for oppression and the other to avoid oppression. Regardless, what are communist thoughts on this matter?
For a second topic, we got into Native rights. I mentioned that despite having benefits Native people are in poverty - extreme poverty - within parts of Canada. My friend said they have a culture of entitlement that prevents them from doing something. Anyway, he is borderline racist against Natives. The problem, however, is that people think Natives aren't victims of prejudice in our society. They feel they do not deserve certain benefits they recieve. Maybe they don't, but I hardly think taking away their rights will make everyone like them and solve all the problems. Furthermore, they criticized me for support Native's and their right to preserve their culture. They claimed the preserving of culture is the definition of conservatism. They may be right.
I am looking for some help when it comes to arguing for the rights of these groups, which are extremely bigoted against where I live. Furthermore, if I am wrong or failing to notice something - please enlighten me.
Thoughts, opinions, comments, counterarguments? Post anything...
For a second topic, we got into Native rights. I mentioned that despite having benefits Native people are in poverty - extreme poverty - within parts of Canada. My friend said they have a culture of entitlement that prevents them from doing something. Anyway, he is borderline racist against Natives. The problem, however, is that people think Natives aren't victims of prejudice in our society. They feel they do not deserve certain benefits they recieve. Maybe they don't, but I hardly think taking away their rights will make everyone like them and solve all the problems. Furthermore, they criticized me for support Native's and their right to preserve their culture. They claimed the preserving of culture is the definition of conservatism. They may be right.
I am looking for some help when it comes to arguing for the rights of these groups, which are extremely bigoted against where I live. Furthermore, if I am wrong or failing to notice something - please enlighten me.
Thoughts, opinions, comments, counterarguments? Post anything...