Not all that long ago I wrote about the Taskforce against “Islamophobia” that has been struck in Ontario colleges and Universities…the Taskforce that I am compulsorily paying for.  Well, this week at the University’s campuses events are being held, sponsored by the same group (Students’ Administrative Council, or, SAC), called “Xpression against Oppression 2006: RAISE YOUR VOICE!.”  One might think that if the students at U of T are standing up against oppression, that they would be standing up for all kinds of oppression.  One would be wrong.

Of the events listed as taking place this week, none represent even a balanced approach to social problems.  Here is a partial listing:

Canadian Premiere of “Five Factories”
Movie screening followed by a discussion on the Bolivarian Revolution and worker’s control.
5PM
Galbraith Building (35 St. George St.) , Room 248
Wheelchair Accessible
Hands Off Venezuela

Peace-keeping VS War-making: What is Canada doing in Afghanistan?
Tackling some of the most pressing questions about Canada’s role abroad.
FREE Dinner.
4PM-6PM
Bahen Centre (40 St. George St.), BA 1190
Wheelchair Accessible

“Rhyme and Reason Against State Terrorism”
It is a night of intellectual responsibility and music. Come check out some of Toronto’s finest spoken word artists and MCs with Apollo, Phylle, 6th Militant, Critical Mood, Spin, Red Eyed Knights, Impact, and many more.
Doors at 7:30PM, Begins at 8:00PM - Junior Common Room (University College)
Political Hip Hop Association

Friday October 20th

Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan: war resisters speak out!
First Canadian War Resister Paco Juarez speaks with Iraq and Vietnam War Resisters and others!
Doors at 7:00PM, Begins at 7:30PM
JJR Macleod Auditorium, Med Sci Bldg - 1 King’s College Circle
Wheelchair Accessible
TTC: Queen’s Park Station, Walk NW with the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War

Guerilla Wordfare
A Night of Spoken-Word Subversion and Revolutionary Beats with LAL, Dope Poets Society, Big Head, Emcee Third Word, and many, many more.
Doors at 8PM, Begins at 9PM - Cat’s Eye (150 Charles St. W., Wymilwood Bldg)
Cover: $5-$8/Pay What You Can
Wheelchair Accessible
GRAIN - OPIRG

And at the Mississauga Campus:

Wednesday October 25th

George Galloway Video in CCIT running constantly (CCIT) (all day)

Thursday October 26th

Mock GTMO demo: (New Library walkway) (10-12pm)

Road to Guantanamo Doc. (presentation room) (12-5pm)

War Resister Speakers from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam and the head of the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War (6-10pm)

And it all culminates with this:

Saturday October 28th

RALLY IN MISSISSAUGA & TORONTO (1pm): Canadian Day of Action, “Troops out of Afghanistan”

It all sounds very one-sided to me.  But then again, what should I expect?  At least we have “a night of intellectual responsibility and music,” “Guerilla Wordfare,” and, “A Night of Spoken-Word Subversion and Revolutionary Beats.”  What the hell are “revolutionary beats”?

Xpression against Oppression?  I don’t think so.  Maybe against some kinds of oppression, or, perceived oppression.  Gitmo demonstrations?  What about how I am “oppressed” by terrorists who want to kill me?  Equity indeed.

So, I wrote to the SAC’s VP of Equity, Ausma Malik, who is in charge of this whole shindig.  The text of my email follows:

I am writing with a few questions about the “Xpression Against Oppression” events that are occuring on campus this week.  Thank you for taking a moment to respond.

The events occuring this week, which I just received notice of in an email newsletter yesterday, seem to represent a very one-sided viewpoint on a number of issues.  Specifically, with the “War Resisters” forum, have you invited a dissenting voice to those who have been, or who support, war resisting?  Have you provided a viewpoint in support of current global conflicts?  Or, is this simply a demonstration of the SAC’s solidarity with the anti-war movement?  If it is, is it normally the practice of the SAC to express political and cultural bias?

Similarly, will the forum “discussing” Canada’s role in Afghanistan include representatives from multiple sides of the issue, or is it a forum designed only to criticize and denounce?

I have had concerns about the uneveness with which the SAC, of which I am a member, has been approaching issues.  A further example of this is the recent announcement of a Task Force to study “Islamophobia.”  It was stated in the announcement that the idea for this Task Force began with a campaign to address “Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, and Racism.”  However, the Task Force that has now been struck only seeks to address the issues of Islamic students.  What happened to Anti-Semitism and Racism?  Did we successfully address those issues, and are they are no longer a problem for students on U of T campuses?  What is the rationale for a Task Force that leaves out broader issues of Anti-Semitism and Racism, while focusing on the very specific needs of one group of students?

Please correct me if I am wrong. As a member of the SAC, I am becoming more concerned with how the money I pay compulsorily is being used to promote a seemingly liberal agenda that does not address the needs, concerns, or issues of students with a more conservative leaning.

Thank you,

I did receive a reply, that I do not feel comfortable posting here, as, I did not tell Ausma that I would be posting her response, and did not receive permission to do so.  Suffice it to say, however, that I feel as if none of my questions have been answered.  Calling the series a string of “social justice events” does not preclude at least the invitation of conservative speakers, dissenting viewpoints, or war supporters.  It is as if conservative voices are not qualified to express  xpress social justice viewpoints.  She does say that “over the years many different groups have chosen to participate.”  But, this does not clear up for me whether or not they are invited to participate, or, if they are even free to participate.  Finally, I am told that if I would like to know more about the events, I should attend.

Yeah, but…I am just not all that interested in hearing War Resisters speak, if there is not opposing view.  I am not interested in a 24 hour streaming broadcast of anti-Israel and terrorist supporter George Galloway.  Further, I cannot understand how the SAC can be both against “Anti-Semitism” and supportive of George Galloway, and his views.  But hey, logic doesn’t need to track with some people.

I will continue my email quandries with Ausma Malik.  And also probably the SAC President, Jen Hassum.  I would just ditch the whole issue as typical University liberal crap…if I wasn’t mandatorily paying for it.

If you want to ask your own questions:

Jen Hassum, SAC President: president@sac.utoronto.ca , 416-978-4911 x228

Ausma Malik, SAC VP Equity: vpequity@sac.utoronto.ca , 416-978-4911 x237

Posted by casey on Thursday, October 19th, 2006 at 2:06 pm.