So I don’t actually have a lot to say about the new Alberta cabinet, I find it weird how the ministries are always changing and ministers who I’ve usually never heard of seem to get assigned at random. And honestly, after the last election I just wanted to crawl into a cave and never think about politics again.
I’ve decided to partially emerge after being informed that Stelmach has appointed women to his cabinet- 7 in fact! Now, bare in mind this is out of 23, and I can’t really do that math in my head but let’s just say it’s not an astounding percentage, however it is an improvement. My hopes crept up but then crashed again after reading comments like these on news sites announcing the cabinet:
“…it is unfortunate that when successful, hard working people are willing to step up that the tired press can do no better than pigeon-hole them by race or gender to suit their preconceived view of how the story should play. This is the worst kind of prejudice.”
“Now we decide who runs major departments according to their plumbing and color. Well that makes sense. Wouldn’t want to let brains get in the way of a blatant PR move.”
And so on. Now, I get what these people are saying. It’s frustrating that we can’t look at a qualified individual and see only their qualifications, not their race or gender. That sucks. It is, in fact, the major downside to living in a patriarchal, racist culture. The fact that all of us, to some degree, do look at people through those lenses. And if you’ve convinced yourself that you are, in fact, blind to race and gender and have risen above the rest of us, I say that is the worst kind of prejudice. Sticking your head in the sand is worse than getting in the muck and trying to find solutions. Affirmative Action isn’t ideal in a lot of ways, but it is one solution to a complex problem. And for Christ’s sake, let’s just clarify that Affirmative Action does not involve grabbing the first person off the street that meets the “plumbing and color” requirements. It only takes place when a selection of equally qualified people have already been determined. Though I may not support everything they stand for, I challenge anyone to prove these 7 women ministers are not qualified for their positions.
I also have to give a resounding WTF to the government celebrating its first black cabinet minister. In the year 2008. I don’t think this is something we should be advertising.
I will now retreat back into my cave. Visitors with beer and/or cookies are welcome.
