To be totally blunt, this “emergency” notice of motion to end the raising of foreign flags at Calgary’s city hall is peak white supremacy.
Yep, I said it. I don’t like to play that card and almost never do but I’m playing it for this one.
It’s also a giant waste of time but it’s the latest topic of faux outrage conjured up by conservative council members so we have to address it.
I can understand why the Jewish community is upset about the Palestinian flag being raised but this idea that it’s going to create further tension between the two communities is completely overblown.
If anything, the mayor hitting the nuclear button to end foreign flag-raisings at city hall unnecessarily escalates things. Because just like that, Calgarians are jumping all over it, making comments on Facebook saying only Canada, Alberta or other local flags should be allowed. The funny part is if you ask them if it’s okay that we raise Ukraine’s flag to recognize their war, they’ll likely say yes.
This is why I bring up white supremacy.
It’s almost exclusively white Calgarians and natural born Canadians who would have that stance. Those most vocal about eliminating these flag-raisings will never know the experience of having two homelands, so they’ll never understand what someone might feel seeing the India, Philippines, Jamaica or Ethiopia flag being flown at the city hall of their new home. They will never stop to think about why it matters.
It’s not as if this makes them any less Canadian. They celebrate their birthplace’s independence day. They also celebrate Canada Day. There’s a sentiment that someone can’t or shouldn’t do both. And that is such a white-centric thing to say. Of course we can.
It’s also very concerning that a city council that is almost completely white or white passing might take away a public space for diverse communities to celebrate their identity and culture. City hall is supposed to be a place for all Calgarians and accessible to all, so long as they aren’t promoting hate and violence. We know a lot of people don’t interact with this space because they might not feel comfortable or welcome, or they don’t know it’s even possible.
On his first day on the job, Jeromy Farkas talked about being a mayor for all Calgarians. His motion to end foreign country flag-raisings isn’t doing that and it shows poor leadership. It’s on him and the rest of city council to make sure all Calgarians see city hall as a place to foster community. It’s even more important that they’re intentional about it when you consider the whiteness of this council. Instead, he’s alienating one group of communities to satisfy another all over something that has historically caused little to no offense.
If anyone is actually worried about political tension, then address that. Put in some effort to bring people together. Banning flag-raisings is the low-effort easy way out. In doing so, it takes away an opportunity for Calgarians to celebrate and express themselves.
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