Ad hominem at it's worst

I started out to right a post about what happened to Jan Wong after she had the nerve to suggest that there is racism in Quebec.  But there was just too much to say and not enough coherent brain cells to do it justice so let me be concise.

• A prominent Chinese Canadian reporter claims that there is a bias in Quebec against those who are not “pure laine” or pure francophone Quebecois.
• She is viciously attacked with racist undertones and overt racism.
• Her editor not only fails to back her up (even though he approved the story himself) but he squarely places the blame on her, effectively hanging her out to dry.
• Her toxic work environment leads to a severe clinical depression for which she seeks leave.
• She refuses to sign a form allowing the employer and insurance company access to all of her medical information.
• Her leave is cut short because here employers don’t believe her despite clear doctor’s order not to go to work.
• She is eventually fired even after the insurance company’s own assessment declares that she is suffering from depression and should be treated with care.
• She refuses to sign a confidentiality agreement that would prevent her frm talking about what happened.
• After going through the lengthy process of writing and re-writing a book with a publisher and getting it to the copyright stage, the publisher pulls the rug out from under her and asks her to remove all references to her employer. She refuses and loses her book deal. (happily she self-published)

Originally printed in Le Devoir - Image Credit: Garnotte

So this is what I see.  I see an Asian woman castigated and eventually fired for having the nerve to call out white racism for what it is.

I see a person suffering from mental illness being fired for having the nerve to claim the rights to which she is legally entitled.

I see that once again a woman of colour is turned into a scapegoat to deflect our attention from the very necessary conversation about racism not only in Quebec, but Canadian society as a whole.

I see a woman attacked so viciously from all sides that she is broken, unable to function.

I see the stigma against mental illness, alive and well.

And I see a dramatic illustration of how racism, sexism and ablism collide to create the perfect storm of systemic oppression.


For a bigger picture see these:

The book at Chapters.com
Interview on CBC’s Sunday Edition
Notes on a Scandal by David Hayes
Monday was a great day for xenophobia in Quebec
Quebec's xenophobia - what else is new?
Critics: Quebec town's conduct code 'xenophobic'