I turned on my television to the news stations yesterday and found they had all gone on into breaking news coverage; the jury in the Shafia murder trial, had come to a verdict. I was transfixed; almost nervous with waiting for the announcement.
As I watched the coverage continue I was grasped by a growing sense of occasion. Canadians as we all know take great pride in our reputation as one of the most diverse nations on earth. I'd like to think of it as a mutually beneficial relationship; people come here to get the freedom to practice their traditions, and in return Canada adopts the best of each and ends up the better for it.
I wonder if yesterday was the moment when it all changed. In rendering a guilty verdict at the Shafia trial, Canada stood up and said; "No, this is not okay. It isn't right to take the lives of three women in the name of honour." Yesterday's guilty verdict may have been the moment where the line was drawn between practicing cultural traditions, and respecting the laws of the land.
In my opinion yesterday justice was served; a society's values were upheld. It is not okay to suppress three women who simply wanted to be like every other woman in Canada. Freedom is a cherished Canadian value, and that's what the victims wanted; the freedom to dress how they pleased, date whom they please, and speak their minds as they please. Just like me, and just like you.
Yesterday's verdict signaled to all those who practice such a horrific cultural tradition as honour killing that Canadian justice will come down hard on you. It's a message that although Canada is an open and accepting country to all who wish to make a future here; there are simply some practices that are completely unacceptable. I believe yesterday's verdict drew a line in the sand that said: "here's where our respect for your culture ends, and your respect for our laws begins."
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