I think it’s repulsive.
Sunday’s University of Winnipeg graduation ceremony awarded Manitoba’s senior minister Vic Toews with an honorary degree, but many students in the audience and the ceremony's valedictorian, Erin Larson, didn’t agree with the offering. Fine. But take your political protests and keep them outside the ceremonies like the other polite protesters – don’t publicly humiliate someone for something they had no control over receiving.
The Winnipeg Free Press reported that during Larson’s speech, Toews sat only a few feet away from Larson keeping his eyes glued to his program and leaving through a side door “immediately” after the ceremony.
How sad.
Just because Toews doesn’t believe in the same things Larson does, doesn’t mean he should be humiliated in front of thousands of people, including his mother. He’s still human.
Larson argued Toews doesn’t support the U of W’s beliefs, but I thought universities existed to explore different belief systems and to learn how to tolerate other people who don’t necessarily believe in the same things as you. Not to mention Mary Agnes Welch’s article explains the decision to grant Toews an honorary degree was decided by faculty members and students, so clearly Toews is supporting several people from the U of W’s beliefs.
I’m not saying Larson didn’t have the right to disagree with Toews’ award; I’m saying she should have kept her protests outside the ceremony. Not only were Larson’s actions disrespectful they were immature.
(Photo from the Winnipeg Free Press)
Perhaps the word "protester" is the wrong one to describe Larsen. She sounds like a bully to me...
ReplyDeleteAt first I was pretty angry with Larsen too. Mostly because Toews' 94-year-old mom was in the audience, which makes it seem that much worse. But I heard a caller on CBC radio make a very good point: Axworthy made the convocation open to being a political forum when he invited a political figure to be honoured.
ReplyDeleteI dunno... I see both sides on this one...