Stephen Hammond - Motivational Keynote Speaker
Stephen Hammond Motivational Keynote Speaker
 
human rights calendar
Today is:  Sat, 04 - Feb, 2012: 
This day in 1906...
Gladys Strum, pioneer in Saskatchewan and Canadian politics, was born  Read More...

Gladys Grace Mae Lamb was born on February 4, 1906 in Gladstone, Manitoba. At 16, she became a teacher in Saskatchewan, where she met her husband Warner Strum. Early in their marriage, Warner contracted tuberculosis and Gladys got an understanding of the deficiencies in Canada?s health care system. During travels to New Zealand, Strum gained an appreciation for that country?s progressive health care practices, which prompted her to get involved in the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) party in Canada. Although defeated in her bids for the legislature in 1938 and 1944 (the latter by six votes to Premier Patterson), Strum was actively involved in Canada?s first socialist government when Tommy Douglas became premier in the June 1944 election. The Saskatchewan CCF elected Strum president, making her the first woman president of a political party in Canada. The following year, she was elected the CCF Member of Parliament for Qu?Appelle, Saskatchewan, the only woman in the House of Commons during that session and the fifth woman MP elected to Ottawa. Among other achievements, Strum was successful in convincing the speaker of Parliament that women need no longer wear hats or handkerchiefs in the gallery. She was also famous for her line, ?No one has ever objected to women working; the only thing they have ever objected to is paying women for working.? Strum was defeated in 1949. However, she made her way back into politics in 1960 as a member of the Saskatchewan Legislature from Saskatoon. During that session she was proud to vote for the legislation that created Canada?s first socialized medical system. Strum died in Penticton, B.C. on August 15, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing human rights at work audio
Managing human rights at work

 

I’m literally sitting here with my computer on my lap, in my bathrobe (too much detail? Sorry) watching TV, awaiting the decision of the Governor General, Michaëlle Jean. After all, my first degree is in political science and my second in law – add to that a political junkie and there’s no where else I could be, instead of still sleeping in bed.

For the last couple days I couldn’t help but feel there’s some significance in the fact that the two most powerful people in Canada and the United States are black.

While George Bush is still President, everyone in the States is looking at Barack Obama to lead people into the future – even though it’s two months before he takes the reins of power. And while Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants to hold onto power, it’s now in the hands of Her Excellency, the first black person to stand as the Queen’s representative as Head of State for our country.

The Governor General’s role is usually thought of as mostly a titular and ceremonial post, but in this case Ms. Jean now finds herself deciding the political future of our country. Amazing that even in 2008, it’s interesting that a black woman is deciding the fate of four of the most politically powerful white men in Canada.

I think a typical response would be “who cares?” and I think that’s a legitimate question. So when does a person’s colour of skin really matter?

In certain parts of Canada, your colour of skin matters when you enter some music stores. I am told from many, many black and First Nations Canadians that I will never get the wonderful level of customer service they get. I guess they’re right – I’ve never had the wonderful level of customer service others tell me about, that is, having an employee follow me around, making sure they can answer any questions I have. I usually have to go and find a clerk.

Skin colour certainly matters when you’re driving a car in parts of Canada. I’ve never been pulled over for being white, and yet black Canadians have told me they got used to police pulling them over for random and various reasons, from the beginning of them acquiring a driver’s license.

Skin colour certainly matters when Canadians cross the border - and I’m talking while coming back into their own country – Canada. When I talk to dark-skinned men and women they very casually tell me the times they’re questioned at length or detained, when re-entering the country in a plane, a car or a ship. As I sit, slack-jawed, in total amazement at their stories, I have to sheepishly say that I’ve NEVER experienced what they have.

And tragically, all too often, colour of skin matters when Canadians want to rent an apartment, get a job or promotion, and even to enter a bar, wanting to have a night out with friends.

So, sure, let’s look forward to a day when colour of skin doesn’t matter. But we’re not there yet.

However, each and every one of us will decide in our daily lives and in our workplaces, how we’ll overcome our own stereotypes and prejudices to ensure that people get judged by their experiences and abilities...not their colour of skin.

So, I’m still sitting here (not dressed yet), waiting to see what Ms. Jean will do and think what an amazing time we live in.

Stephen

You are encouraged to forward or reprint the contents of this copyrighted article with the following notation attached:

Stephen Hammond, B.A, LL.B, CSP, is a speaker, trainer and author working in the field of workplace human rights. Articles, tips and his books Managing Human Rights At Work: 101 Practical Tips to Prevent Human Rights Disasters and Steps in the Rights Direction: 365 human rights celebrations and tragedies that inspired Canada and the world are available on his website www.stephenhammond.ca. Contact Stephen at 866-685-8338 or stephen@stephenhammond.ca

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