New Canadian Ambassador

[Dolores]

There is quite a bit of interesting commentary and stories in the Toronto Star on the new Canadian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Alvin Curling. He has yet to arrive.

He is a Jamaican immigrant who succeeded in mainstream Canadian politics. He surpassed two major obstacles, being an immigrant and being black.

From what I have read he is a champion of education.

Those interested should register with the Toronto Star to read these stories. Just do a search typing in Alvin Curling.

His predecessor, Adam Blackwell, was very popular here, so he has doors open.

Prior to his appointment he was speaker of hte Ontario Legislature and the first black cabinet minister in the province's history.

[bob saunders]

In Canada we have many immigrants in politics, especially east indian, but we have politicians of every ethnic background. In a nation of immigrants, what else would you expect.

[Dolores]

Curling kept eyes on the prize

Former Speaker of Ontario Legislature an important symbol to blacks in Canada, says Cecil Foster

What are we to make of the sudden announcement of Alvin Curling as the new Canadian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic? What are we to think of the announcement coming when it did: on a Friday afternoon in the dead of summer, a time traditionally reserved for events that are political embarrassments? Curling, the former speaker of the Ontario Legislature, is too important symbolically to this generation's history to depart in a manner that seems so wrapped in ignominity. It is not the way we treat Canadian achievers making a transition from active politics to another phase of life. For two decades, Curling has been a symbol of hope for a group of Canadians who saw him as their true champion in politics. He was the symbol that blacks can succeed in fields traditionally closed to them. Success might be no more than to gain entry into some of the most exclusive clubs in this country — and what could be more exclusive than a chamber of elected politicians? Apart from gaining entry, success was to survive in such a setting even when members of the club seemed especially anxious to show that the "outsider" did not belong. Curling takes with him a large slice of Canadian history, the story of black Canadians and their achievements in this country and the tale of how Canada has changed and must continue to change. His departure might be a further indication of a generational change in the leadership among Toronto's blacks — a change to a Canadian-born generation. Indeed, not acknowledging Curling might provide more evidence to those who claim that after so many years and struggle, society is still not accepting of blacks. Curling's task was always to show that blacks should choose the mainstream and, just as importantly, that mainstream society should make room for them.

That's the start of a opinion piece in the Toronto Star of 24 August.

Looks like we are before a man who is accustomed to being a champion. Wonder why he wanted to become a diplomat?

[Gabriela]

Alvin Curling is also a teacher who has served Ontario in its wonderful community college system. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin appointed Curling at the same time that he appointed Canada's new black governor general, who was born in Haiti. Canada's multicultural approach is gaining favour throughout the world, and I think Martin's appointments are long overdue. Issues of racism in the DR and Haiti may be center stage as both countries struggle to achieve a fair balance, economically and politically, on the island they share. I'm sure we all look forward to Curling advocating against racism whether directed against Haitians or Dominicans.

[RHM]

Originally Posted by Gabriela

I'm sure we all look forward to Curling advocating against racism whether directed against Haitians or Dominicans.

Hehehe. Yeah. I bet he makes a HUGE impact. Like all Canadian Ambassadors have before him.

Scandall
"Stirring the pot"

[Mirador]

Originally Posted by Gabriela

...Canada's multicultural approach is gaining favour throughout the world, and I think Martin's appointments are long overdue. Issues of racism in the DR and Haiti may be center stage as both countries struggle to achieve a fair balance, economically and politically, on the island they share.

Sounds like you suspect the next Canadian Ambassador will be appointed to the 'Republique d'Haiti et Saint-Domingue'


Mirador
"Stirring the cauldron" (with a cackle and a chuckle ;-)

[Dolores]

Originally Posted by Gabriela

Alvin Curling is also a teacher who has served Ontario in its wonderful community college system. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin appointed Curling at the same time that he appointed Canada's new black governor general, who was born in Haiti. Canada's multicultural approach is gaining favour throughout the world, and I think Martin's appointments are long overdue. Issues of racism in the DR and Haiti may be center stage as both countries struggle to achieve a fair balance, economically and politically, on the island they share. I'm sure we all look forward to Curling advocating against racism whether directed against Haitians or Dominicans.

The Dominican Republic is the most hospitable country in the Caribbean. Remember, we are a mixed colored nation. Discrimination against Haitians in the DR is against poverty. Wealthy Haitians are welcomed with the same red carpet their counterparts of all other nations receive.

[canadian bob]

Scandal, for goodness sake, give Curling a chance to make his mark before you criticize him. You might be pleasantly surprized...Canadian Bob.

[Gabriela]

Since the new ambassador is black, I am sure he will be interested in human rights issues in the DR. Canada has an extremely progressive human rights charter. And yes, I suspect that the Haitian conflict will continue to interest Canada and the U.S. But of course, the U.S. is tied up elsewhere. As for poverty, I don't think you can separate out the issues of racism here. If the Haitians were white, people would care about their suffering.

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Dolores

The Dominican Republic is the most hospitable country in the Caribbean. Remember, we are a mixed colored nation. Discrimination against Haitians in the DR is against poverty. Wealthy Haitians are welcomed with the same red carpet their counterparts of all other nationals receive.

The fact that people need to remind other peoples of the fact Dolores posted is evidenced that even today, forty years after the country stop being among the most isolated in the world, many in the world know very little, if not misinformation about this great country.

How often have such comments as Dolores has posted been presented?

Hundreds of times. I have done it on my very long detailed posts, Dolores has done this multiple times in compact straight forward posts, and multiple others (Dominicans and non-Dominicans) on this board have done the same.

Regardless of all of that, some people still hold to this suppose "racism" that exist here.

It exist in isolated cases, but its not an ingrained situation.

Some people simply focus on the isolated cases I suppose.

BTW, the UN ambassador of Liberia (West African nation) Mr.Limi Kawah criticized the recent ruling of the Interamerican court in requiring the DR to modify its laws to accept all peoples born in the DR as Dominican citizens, regardless if the status of the person is in transit or not.

If this guy, who is African, and his little to no interest in the DR per se, is criticizing that court's ruling then its obvious that the anti-dominican slant is being recognized by others who don't have the race chip on their shoulders.

If the DR have to modify its laws because of this, then the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos, Guadaloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, and the rest of the Caribbean will have to do the same. It's unjust that the DR get's the whip, for simply doing something that is common practice in this region.