Here begins my blog on issues of world politics. Given that I am not an expert on matters of international relations, nor am I yet an expert in world politics, it is essential that I note my reliance on media sources for my commentary. Although I will sift and sort through the information provided in various media outlets I must confess that my perspective regarding the reliability or accuracy of any media piece will possess at least in certain circumstances, a bias of Canada’s political perspective. To make my point the first issue I wish to discuss involves the migrant ship, which was intercepted off of Canada’s west coast last week carrying 76 Sri Lankan men.
The Ottawa Citizen’s article on Sunday, October 25, 2009, “Migrant ship belongs to Tamil Tigers: experts,” expresses the fear from not one but two experts that this ship may be the first of many ships with Tamil Tigers fighters fleeing their homeland following the 25 year civil war in that country which ended in May. Experts have identified the ship as Tamil Tiger owned and operated. Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney said the government would deport anyone found with a criminal background or terrorist background including members of the Tamil Tigers.
My concern is that as soon as we put a label on people we have depersonalized them, or put them in a little box. Once we have packaged them with a label we give ourselves an excuse for not listening to them. The Canadian Tamil Congress in the same article argued all the men were ethnic Tamils fleeing persecution.
Human rights groups as well as Tamil groups are urging broader understanding of the complex political landscape in Sri Lanka. Having followed the Sri Lanka story this past year I have yet to understand the nature of the conflict in that country. Perhaps world politics as seen through the eyes of many, is easier to deal with when we don’t delve into the detail of the conflicts and rather place labels on certain parties so that we do not need to treat them as relevant. Once labeled, we strip individuals of their unique qualities.
I also feel compelled to note that Sri Lanka is an example of a civilization fighting with itself contrary to Huntington’s thesis…more on that in future blogs.
