The Rintrah Perspective

The proposed Human Rights Museum (a brain-child of Izzy Asper) in Winnipeg has received 2.7 million from various sources (mainly corporate). Human rights is an important issue and something that Canadians and all people can rally behind.

However, how can Canada claim to be a leader in Human Rights when the First Nations are being marginalized? Sure we treat white english speaking people with great dignity and we allow for everyone to have the same opportunity to equality. But we are mostly only champions for equality and human rights when the finger is pointed away from ourselves. When the countries that we claim have terrible human rights issues look at us and say that we have issues as well we best try to fix the problem.

There is the Biblical ideal of taking the plank out of our own eye before helping someone else with the speck in theirs. In this case we both have cords of wood in our eyes.

The next problem with this museum is the focus on the atrocities rather than the solutions. The museum, from my understanding, will follow suit with museums such as the Holocaust Museum by showing all the horrendous and terrible things that have happened.

I would like to see the museum focus on areas where people are helping other people. As a Mennonite I can say that my ancestors have been killed, martyred, and hurt but that does not mean anything to me. I live a comfortable life and focusing on the ills that have befallen my ancestors at the hands of the Lutherans, Calvinists, Catholics, Atheists, and other groups does not do any good.

Is spending $2.7 million on a museum the best way to help people who are being marginalized? Can a museum actually make a lasting impact on people? Is there a better way to spend that kind of money?

There are people asking for five hundred dollars or less in the form of a loan so that they can buy equipment to make and sell peanut butter. (Visit kiva.org and learn more about micro-loans.) $2.7 million on a building that makes people feel guilty and good about themselves at the same time seems like a waste to me.