I disagree with Annmarie Christie’s letter (The Telegram Dec.12) criticizing The Telegram for printing Robin Reid’s letter re: the building of an indigenous sweat lodge on RCMP property next to its headquarters in St. John's.
The Telegram should not bury contrary points of view and only offer happy and politically correct observations.
That is exactly what is happening on many university campuses today as students don't want to be confronted with other than acceptable perspectives yet ironically expect to become educated. Concealing uncomfortable truths or outlooks is what lead to the emergence of Donald Trump.
Rather than criticize Reid I would applaud his, and other contrarians, courage for standing up to be counted. Otherwise there is no public discussion or possibility for learning. Disagree with what someone says but fervently defend their right to say it.
I don't know whether Reid is a bigot or not as was inferred by the writer. My initial reading of his letter was that his ire was mostly with the location of the structure and the potential for public cost.
Personally, I support any meeting place, its location notwithstanding, that brings people together in communal spiritual support whether it be in a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, sweat lodge or over a cup of coffee at Tim’s.
Tom Hawco,
St. John’s
RELATED
