Things got a little tense on the finale of “Canada Reads 2018”.
Jully Black and Jeanne Beker were involved in a heated discussion about privilege in Canada and “how to ensure a better future for all in Canada.”
“It is important for us to really look at what book is going to have Canada open their eyes on to what is happening on today,” said Black. “And yes we celebrate and we heal and we kumbaya.”
Beker interjected, “No but you look at what is happening with ourselves.” Adding, “People are really; yeah we got to change the world but there are a lot of screwed up people in the world.”
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And that is when Black brought up the issue of “colonial privilege.”
“There are a lot of people who have to work on themselves when we see people wreaking havoc,” argued Beker.
“There are a lot of people who sit in their cottages and their homes and don’t have an experience like others and think that ‘let me swipe my Visa card and make a donation but I don’t live that experience,'” replied Black.
She asked, “What are we doing to change the current circumstances?” Black also brought up the Pope’s response to the history of residential schools in Canada.
“We just had a Pope say he’s not saying ‘I’m sorry’ to Indigenous Canadians when he said that in 2015,” continued Black. “It’s happening right now, it’s got to change.”
And that is when Beker went on the defence: “Why are you attacking me Jully? Now I totally get what you’re saying.”
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“Woah, woah, woah, hold up,” replied Black. “We’re live right now. Why are you attacking me? Oh the truth hurts, I didn’t say anything to attack you, Jeanne Beker. I said nothing about Jeanne Beker. Did I say anything about Jeanne Beker?”
Beker responded, “I just feel like you’re speaking to me like, like I don’t believe that. I totally get what you’re saying.”
“Let me tell you what you just said, ‘I feel like,'” reiterated Black. “So whatever you are feeling, take it to the altar, because I’m not the one responsible for your feelings.”
The heated debate starts around the 31:30 mark of the video above.
