In the recent episode of the hit cult TV show "Mad Men", based in mid-sixties New York City advertising agency, the underbelly of a segregated, sexist society shone in sordidly wretched ways. So much for the made-in-Hollywood illusions of free love, the civil rights movement and the free-spirited Beatles era.
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The Adventures of Diva Rachel: Canada’s Selective Immigration Strategy: an Evolution (Part 6/6)
1991 – REFORM PARTY RHETORICThe Reform’s early policy proposals for immigration were seen as highly controversial in Canada including a policy pamphlet called Blue Sheet that was issued in mid-1991 stating that Reformers opposed “any immigration based on race or creed or designed to radically or suddenly alter the ethnic
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Canada’s Selective Immigration Strategy: an Evolution (Part 5/6)
1923 – THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT In 1861, a Victoria newspaper was welcoming: “We have plenty of room for many thousands of Chinamen. … There can be no shadow of a doubt but their industry enables them to add very largely to our own revenues.” But after the Canadian Pacific
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1911 – BLATANT BARRING OF BLACKS As Canadians, we too often adopt morally superior attitudes toward our American neighbours. While Black slaves who escaped to Canada in the 1800s enjoyed a better life here, it wasn’t exactly Eden re-visited. In fact, Blacks were treated so inhumanely that after the U.S.
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Canada’s Selective Immigration Strategy: an Evolution (Part 3/6)
1906 — INDIANS NEED NOT NAVIGATE TO CANADAThen-Clerk of the Privy Council, Rodolphe Boudreau wrote on the restriction of immigration from the Orient, in particular British East Indians: “Experience has shown that immigrants of this class, having been accustomed to the conditions of a tropical climate, are wholly unsuited to
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Canada’s Selective Immigration Strategy: an Evolution (Part 2/6)
1898 – BARRIERS FOR BLACKSThere was — as government correspondence in Ottawa records now makes clear–a long series of letters exchanged among immigration authorities worried about how to be functionally anti-Black without seeming anti-Black. Since much of its recruitment of immigrants was done by mail, it became difficult for immigration
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Canada’s Selective Immigration Strategy: an Evolution (Part 1/6)
Canadians from coast to coast have expressed concern about the pending drastic changes to the rules surrounding immigration buried in the 400-page omnibus bill. As the House of Commons debates the voluminous bill, little time is devoted to dissecting the hundreds of policy changes. Those Canadians who study history regard
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Rumble in the Jungle 2: Trudeau v Brazeau
Grace, classiness and composure wins against nastiness, childish taunts and narrow-minded conservatism! Trudeau, bombayé! Liberal «dauphin» Justin Trudeau scores major upset in Fight for the Cure boxing match over Conservative Senator Patrick Brazeau http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/31/justin-trudeau-boxing Of course the National comPost would call it an upset. The diva is anything but upset.
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Jason Kenney Misspells
I guess the spellcheck only works in English? @kenneyjason: Nowruz pirooz to all Canadians of Persian origin! http://is.gd/XpujMm Joyeuese Nowruz! http://is.gd/OalyAZ The adventures of a Franco Ontarian Viz Min Woman in Ottawa.
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: St-Patrick’s Day: It’s About Immigrants, Not Irishness
Full article here: http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=926774&f=28&sub=Contributor It's About Immigrants, Not IrishnesssBy PETER BEHRENSMarch 2012 On this side of the Atlantic, St. Patrick's Day has become a boisterous, often bogus, celebration of America's Irish roots. For most, the holiday is an excuse to drink, and perhaps pinch people who aren't wearing green. But
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Iggy still out of touch — some things never change
Michael Ignatieff admits mistakes and airs grievances: He and Harper both 'denied standing' during election http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/news/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/14/michael-ignatieff-admits-mistakes-and-airs-grievances-he-and-harper-both-denied-standing-during-election A comment from a reader: «Oh, give me a break. Liberals have been presenting Ignatieff as a "thoroughbred greyhound" from the very beginning and that is why the Canadian public rejected him. There is
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: La semaine de la mode a Ottawa : le « blackface » sur scène
La semaine de mode Ottawa est un événement annuel qui prend de plus en plus d’envergure dans la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau, en créant une occasion unique de promouvoir le talent canadien dans l’industrie de la mode. Après y avoir assisté l’année dernière, j’ai constaté l’heureux mélange d’origines culturelles, de formes et
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Ottawa’s Fashion Week: Bringing Blackface Back
[Written Sunday, Feb 19 2012] Ottawa Fashion Week is a growing staple in the nation's capital, which brings together local residents and the burgeoning home-grown fashion industry in a unique style. Having attended last year, I noticed the mix of cultural backgrounds, shapes and sizes on both the designer and
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Justin Effin’ Rocks!
Today, Trudo Jr. let the Environment Minister, who just shamed Canada on the international stage by quitting Kyoto, have it! Love it! http://www.thestar.com/mobile/NEWS/article/1102072 We need more politicians who tell it like it is! Fuddle duddle Peter Kent! The adventures of a Franco Ontarian Viz Min Woman in Ottawa.
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Young Stephen Harper benefitted from Affirmative Action for upper class white males
A young Stephen Harper got a job with Imperial Oil with the help of his father, Joseph, who was a top financial officer in Toronto. "I was virtually told to hire him, but I did. And he was a very troubled boy when he came", Frank Glenfield said. Glenfield was
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Herman Cain Campaign Collapses
The Diva is happy that this "art project" is finally being put out of its misery. Thanks to the mistress of 13 years who came out this week, the nail in the coffin of Cain's campaign is being hammered in. How the heck did Herman not know this story would
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Why Obama Still Matters
The Dish | By Andrew Sullivan – The Daily Beasthttp://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/11/why-obama-still-matters.html The adventures of a Franco Ontarian Viz Min Woman in Ottawa.
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: McGuinty caves to the NDP by catering to students
The Liberal campaign promise of a 30 per cent tuition break will be in place by January — at a cost of $201 million next year, says Premier Dalton McGuinty. http://www.thestar.com/mobile/NEWS/article/1088569 I never liked that promise and I was hoping it would be delayed while the province is still in
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Herman Cain is C(r)ooked
How despicable can one get to ask for sexual favours in exchange for a job prospect?Herman Cain, Mr. gospel music singer, puisly married for 50 yrs, serial harasser, all-round sleeze needs to resign his quest for the presidency of the USA.Like, yesterd…
Continue readingThe Adventures of Diva Rachel: Another brilliant move by the National Capital
They are closing the one and only tourist informtion centre. The one across from Parliament Hill, perfectly located where all the visitors get their maps and other userful tips in both official languages.Article : Ottawa’s only tourist centre to close….
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