Supplied — Gage SkidmoreCanadians are finally angry about something other than their failing NHL team, and it’s not even related to Canada.
Days after the American election, hundreds of Canadians marched through the streets of Toronto and Vancouver in an active stand against Donald Trump becoming president. Although these protests may seem uncalled for, Canadians are fighting for what they believe in, and taking a stand on an issue that doesn’t only relate to Donald Trump, but all individuals who engage in acts of racism and sexism.
The question is, are these protests really effective? Trump is already president, and so by protesting, nothing is really going to be changed. Sure, maybe Americans can revolt against him and cause a civil war (which is extremely unlikely to happen), but Canadians, unfortunately, have no say in what happens, even if these protests are one of the rare times the world has seen Canadians truly angry about something. The idea of protesting against a person is ineffective. Trump has already been elected, so there’s really no point in trying to eradicate him.
However, the protesters in Canada are not necessarily protesting against Trump himself, but the policies and ideas he represents. If a popular figure like Trump has pride for his ideals, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia, then what is stopping others from expressing and actively practicing these ideals, in any country around the world? Trump may be an American political figure; however, the ideas he represents are global. If he expresses discrimination in any form, others will follow, and eventually discrimination will become normalized. In this sense, Trump is extremely relevant in Canada, not necessarily for his celebrity status, but rather what his ideas represent. The protests are not just a stand against Trump, they are a stand against racism, sexism, the discriminatory, insensitive ideals that Trump, and the individuals who support his ideas, believes to be acceptable.
Furthermore, what the United States does, especially in regards to their foreign policy, will affect Canada to a great extent. Canada relies on America for the majority of their goods, and as much as we can say that we don’t really like Americans in general, we also kind of love them — a lot. Many Canadians watched the American election, either at home or at movie theatres, and they didn’t just watch it for entertainment purposes. They watched it because the individual who gets elected not only dictates the course of the United States for the next four years, but also the course of Canada. This gives Canadian protesters every right to be indirectly involved in this election, even if they are unable to change the person who got elected.
If people are angry about this election, let them be angry. Let them stand for what they believe in — something that they are passionate about. Globally, many individuals are angry about Trump’s victory, so who is to judge them for taking action against Trump’s beliefs? Canadian students are not interfering with the American situation so much as fighting for their own beliefs.
The protests are not about Trump himself, but about a movement, a movement of individuals who believe discrimination is wrong, who will fight for equality and justice, and who will try their hardest to convince others to do the same. And if that doesn’t inspire hope for Canada’s future, I don’t know what does.
It is none of the business of Canadians to protest what is going on in the United States! America has voted – get over it!!!
https://www.youtube.com/user/PrisonPlanetLive
First things first… Trump SUPPORTERS are considered racist, sexist, etc. If you actually look at uncut speeches and photos, Trump supports the LGBQT community. He supports “American Values” of freedom and says that people who don’t follow those shouldn’t be allowed. It may seem racist, but a lot of Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iran hold very different values for women, minorities, and LGBQT. You know, stoning them to death and shooting up Miami nightclubs.
I would like to point out that the leftist media said that if Trump lost there would be riots with “uneducated white males, aged 18-35” (who were blamed for coming out in force to vote for Trump) raising hell. If you look at the violent protesters, they are paid “Not My President” leftists that are beating people up and lighting cars on fire because of Trump bumper stickers. And yet this behavior is, at best, given free reign or, at worst, being actively encouraged and condoned.
Just as an observation, do you see any working class people protesting? I don’t think they could get time off actual work to stand around and yell about something they have no control over.
Why do you say it is so justified to protest when you also admit that it does no good? Wouldn’t your time be better spent getting to work in a field where you could actually do demonstrable change?
These opinion pieces need a bit more grounding in fact and a bit more clarity tbqh
Because they are being paid to protest senselessly.
That is a conspiracy theory you are circulating that has been disbanded by the New York Times you need to get your facts right. They were not paid protestors. I am not into political correctness if it clouds your moral judgment but what deeply disturbs me is the attacks on the free press. Do you want to see this disappear-even if you do not agree with some of it -it is diverse and you will find right and left in the free press-get rid of the free press and you will get rid of your democracy.
It’s not a free press though. They often reported incorrect things. Like saying Trump was anti-LBGTQ. Or anti-immigrant.
I am shocked that so many Americans drank Trump’s kool-aid. Now you’re going to pay for it. Just one of many examples, Trump is charging the (and thus you and other American taxpayers) for the secret service to fly on his plane and to stay in his Mar-a-Lago resort so they can guard him. Trump stands for everything I (and many other people around the world) have always disliked about Americans, rude, obnoxious, racists, sexist bullies. He’s just brought it to light for everyone to see. Have fun watching your country go down the drain.
Does that you xenophobic for disliking Americans ? Plus racist cause trump got the highest rate of votes from blacks and Hispanics than any other republican and sexist since your a woman and your dislike for trump?
You seriously have lost the plot.
Here’s the press that make up the news: https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2016/11/24/issa-trumps-drain-swamp-mandate-biggest-since-teddy-roosevelt/. More than 2 million more people voted for Clinton than for Trump. How is that a mandate? Trump was right about only one thing: US elections are rigged!
The US presidential election isn’t a direct vote. Trump won the electoral colleges and it’s up to them to put forward Trump as the president. Plus there had been multiple cases of voter fraud and illegal voters. Most would be encouraged by the DNC to vote multiple times.
Overall, I’m not sure why I engage in these discussions. I’m Canadian. I just watched on the sidelines while America chose a loud mouth over a corrupt flip flop of a human being. Aka. Giant douche vs a turd sandwich.
Over 3000 counties went to trump around 300-500 went to Hillary …. only reason she got all those votes was due to California where illegals voted and sum dead peopel voted.