LETTER TO THE EDITOR: What goes around comes around

The Hanover School Division board of trustees has made the news lately – for all the wrong reasons.

The Globe and Mail wrote a story about the board’s going rogue in the spring by passing a motion, “…that would ignore provincial and federal mature minor regulations and prevent students from getting counselling and medical services, including contraceptive prescriptions, without their parents’ knowledge.” Manitoba Education Minister Tracy Schmidt quickly condemned the board and forced it to repeal it. She also added, “Your presumed knowledge of your legal and constitutional responsibilities would lead a reasonable observer to conclude you passed this motion at best for public attention and at worst to pick a fight.”

More recently, Winnipeg Free Press’ Dan Lett wrote a column specifically about trustee Shayne Barkman.

Lett wrote. “There’s no doubt Barkman, if he had the courage to explain himself, would deny that he hates anyone. But if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, reposts offensive messages from other socially conservative ducks and attends duck-organized anti-LGBTTQ+ rallies, then it’s a pretty hateful duck.”

Outgoing trustee Brad Unger – clearly not happy with the collective aggrandizement of the board – decided he needed attention and put out a seven point dog whistle asking prospective trustees, “What do you believe?” Question 5 – “I believe that the only flags that should be in the classroom are the Canadian and Manitoba flag. What do you believe?” Clearly a dog whistle for, “I don’t want a Pride flag in the classroom.” Question 6 – “I believe that a child should never be made to feel guilty for being white. What do you believe?” Another dog whistle for, “Why should our kids learn about colonialism and the horrible stuff we did to the Indigenous people?” (And bordering on “residential schools weren’t that bad”). Interesting that a person whose whole religious belief system is based on guilt – born a sinner, live as a sinner, die a sinner – would now somehow eschew it. It’s almost like he’s saying, “Hey, if anyone’s gonna make my kids feel guilty, it’s me.”

Add to the mix that Shayne Barkman’s mom Lynn is also running again. And while it may technically be within the rules, it’s clearly a grey area and a conflict of interest. Throw in a man named Brad Suderman, a guy from Grunthal endorsed by Barkman, who’s running in the Landmark/Blumenort/Mitchell ward, who has no social media presence and refuses to answer emails about his platform. Add it all up and you’ve got quite the “God Squad.”

I’m guessing evangelical residents/voters are happy with the majority of trustees being like-minded. Here’s the rub. Sure, you’re happy now. When they’re coming for anything “other” than you. But this ain’t your father’s or mother’s Steinbach anymore. Just look at the demographics of the city and surrounding area. Listen to the languages spoken in public. What happens in a few years when the majority of the board are strict Muslims? It’s hijabs for every girl. Sharia law in the classroom. Think it can’t happen? Think again.

Looks what’s happening in the States with Trump and his disgruntled voters. The Texas Cattle Association is begging Trump to not import beef from Brazil. “We didn’t vote for that.” Yes you did. Wisconsin dairy farmers can’t get labourers because they’re all afraid of ICE. “We didn’t vote for that.” Yes you did. Truckers can’t afford $6.50 diesel. “We didn’t vote for that.” Yes you did.

So go ahead and vote for your right wing, evangelical fanatics. It might work out for you this time. But remember, what goes around comes around.