A Muslim Dalhousie University student is being accused of reverse racism and facing disciplinary action for a Facebook post calling out white fragility.
Ahead of Canada 150 celebrations this past summer, Masuma Khan, a Dalhousie Student Union Vice President, drafted a motion to boycott any events associated with the anniversary on campus. Similar motions had been adopted by student unions across the country, and Khan didn’t anticipate the storm of controversy that would follow.
At the council meeting, the motion had widespread support except for a few students who strongly disagreed, Khan told VICE News. Some council members suggested that if Khan wanted to “question the legitimacy of Canada,” she should renounce access to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
But the real battle started after Khan posted a sharp response to a Facebook post from a young conservative group, which criticized the student union for the proposed motion, saying that the union should “prioritize advocating for student issues, not attacking Canada.”
“At this point, fuck you all,” Khan wrote in a Facebook post that she said the university pressured her to delete. “Be proud of this country? For what, over 400 years of genocide?”
To sign off, she used three hashtags: #unlearn150, #whitefragilitycankissmyass and #yourwhitetearsarentsacredthislandis.
“The university is policing speech and characterizing political speech as personal harassment. That’s a bit much.”
A few days later, a student named Michael Smith filed a formal complaint with the university, alleging that Khan “targeting ‘white people’ who celebrate Canada Day is blatant discrimination,” according to a copy of the document obtained by The Globe and Mail. Smith subsequently wrote an op-ed in the National Post, making Khan the target of a flurry of social media backlash.
This is a post secondary, educational institution. This statement should NOT be getting censored.
“prioritizing student issues” what, like the aboriginal students who had their land stolen? Fuck you racist fucks.
Isn’t this the same university that refused to discipline their dentistry school for running a pro-rape group dedicated to sexually harassing/assaulting women in the program?
So the Quebec religious neutrality bill which bans facial coverings like the niqab for public services will also make it illegal to wear sunglasses on a bus.
WTF Quebec?
Uhm. They understand that sunglasses are often used by people with disabilities and chronic illness (I myself am prone to migraines and light sensitivity) and that sunglasses can also be prescription. And. That forcing employees to risk damage to their sight is literally a violation of employment standards. This is all such a pathetic excuse to seem like they’re not targeting Muslim women. They are and banning sunglasses is a pathetic and ignorant attempt at shifting focus. Because it’s potentially also physically harmful/damaging.
It also looks like muslim women who cover their face will also no longer be allowed to attend university:
Câlisse de gang d’hypocrites de marde!
Religious neutrality my ass! they had to add this ridiculousness about sunglasses and ski masks (not looking forward to ride the public transport in the heart of winter, i tell ya) just so they wouldnt look too racists.
Oh and by the way, the Assemblée Nationale where they pass these laws has a big ol crucifix hanging there too…
there was some motions to have it removed some years ago but dear Prime Minister Couillard decided it needed to stay. hmmm.
I’m from Quebec, but I am NOT ok with this law, and wished this fucking government would get their heads out of their intolerant asses.
this is basically islamophobia disguised as religious neutrality and no one is duped, fuckhead Couillard.
FUCKING BULLSHIT. People go so far out of their way to avoid the “racist” label but this is a fucking stretch and we ALL see right through it.
