In Canada, on December 06, 1989 a man walked into a college in Montreal.
He separated the men from the group. And then he proceeded to kill 14 young women.
Fourteen women died when shooter Marc Lépine ambushed Montreal's École Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989.
Armed with a rifle, he stormed into a classroom, separated the men from the women, and declared he hated feminists before opening fire on the women's group. Lépine turned the gun on himself after his 20-minute rampage, which wounded 13 others.
The shooting, which came to be known as the Montreal Massacre, sparked a national debate about gun control and violence against women.
In 1991, Parliament declared Dec. 6 the National Day of Action and Remembrance on Violence Against Women.
It is the 20th anniversary today.
Many of us are remembering the young women and the senselessness of their deaths. Many are pondering the question, how much farther do we still need to go?
There are some who would write off those actions as the work of crazy person, and call the deaths of 14 women, an unfortunate act of violence.
But the killer did have an agenda, and he was quite clear what his motives were, and who he blamed for his own failings.
Would you note that if I commit suicide today89-12-06 it is not for economic reasons (for I have waited until I exhausted all my financial means, even refusing jobs) but for political reasons. Because I have decided to send the feminists, who have always ruined my life, to their Maker. For seven years life has brought me no joy and being totally blase, I have decided to put an end to those viragos.
Many of us realize that this "war on women" is still ongoing.
Canada used to have some fairly progressive equality legislation for women in place.
The Status of Women, the Court challenges program and many many other programs to help women who are victims of violence have fallen beneath the axe of the Minority Harper Government. (That same government which drags Canada back further into the dark ages with environmental legislation, and all human rights issues. Torture, and breaking International law...Bush lite.)
How bad is it getting for Women in Canada?
Canada appears to be dragging its heels in responding to a demand from a United Nations human-rights panel. It probably won’t be until December 2014 that the country will file its next report regarding its compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, an international treaty ratified in 1981.
The PM, Stephen Harper has referred to women's rights groups, LGBT groups, those living with disabilities, Visible minorities, First Nations as...."Left wing fringe groups". I wrote about that at length here.
The war between the sexes is alive and well, and gives voice to those who think that society is oh so damaged by somehow "allowing" 53% of the population to become autonomous beings.
But there is no war!
There is only a war of you start out from the idea that somehow men will be harmed by women who assume their own rights as human beings.
Feminism, to some, means that women want to drive men under their thumbs of oppression, and become men. It is a classic case of projection. It assumes that there has to be a ruling gender. And no such rule exists.
What does Feminism mean to me? What do I see it meaning for my daughters?
It means that they can make their own decisions in their lives with respect to career.
It means that their work will not be undervalued, simply because it may be considered traditional "Women's work". Do tell me how a welder or a sports figure is worth more than a nurse, just for instance? Most of us are totally on board with equal work for equal value. That is simply fairness. But when you are starting out at up to 30% below value with absolutely no attempt to fairly bridge that gap?
It means they will have the choice of wearing makeup, or not.
It means that they too can get to work safely without watching the shadows in fear.
It means that in their relationships they will feel safe and equal, and not be a statistic of domestic violence.
It means that in all things.....They have the same choices as a man does.
It means that they have complete control over their own reproductive health.
It means that both sexes are regarded as equal beings under the law.
Most simply: It means they choose.
Today we remember those young women who were singled out by a miserable failure, who needed someone to blame.
But another way to look at this: We fail many of our young men too. An interesting statement from one of the victims who was wounded during the December 06 massacre:
One reason is to talk about our compassion as a society. We don't know really what to do with young people who are suffering and hurting. Marc Lépine didn't have all the help and support he may have needed at different stages in his life.
Some claim they hear the voice of god when they kill.
Marc Lepine heard the voices of angry men who do not want to give up any of their privileges, and he found a focus for his anger at his own failings.
An anger that is wholly condoned and perpetuated by the establishment. Indeed, by governments that do little to represent more than half of the population.
A day of remembrance. A day to ponder how we can change this forever
The Left wing fringe has now become "Proud Fringers" on facebook, with our own page. If you would like to stay posted on developments, feel free to join. We welcome all left wing fringers, and the Support Bros who really do get it.
We are getting organized. You bet.