A Poetry Slam

 

A recent example of the growing racism in Canada: I recently received a Facebook announcement for a Poetry Slam. Poets were invited to sign up, to be chosen by lottery. However, just below this was the note, in large print, “60% of slam spots reserved for Black and Indigenous poets.”

Couldn’t be more blatant than that. 

The invitation was illustrated by a photo of a woman wearing a black t-shirt reading “NOT TODAY COLONIZER.”

Segregation, racial quotas, and hate speech, too. Lynchings next. I would be concerned about attending such an event while white, Jewish, or Asian. Poetry slams can get emotional.

The event is free for blacks and indigenous; $14 for all others, explicitly as a form of “redistribution/reparations.” (Although they say nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.)

Interesting that this is one post Facebook neither flags nor bans. Just to see what would happen, I reported it, and they quickly assured me that it violated none of their "community standards."

Welcome to the Weimar Republic.