The title of the present text is purposefully provocative and aims to
the activation of the instinctual reaction that authorities have
instilled inside us. All over the world I can hear people passionately
arguing that the movements fighting for real democracy or any other
movement, is and has to remain peaceful. I completely agree with this
tactic but it is essential to be able to set our own strategies and
limits based on humanist values and not on the needs and practises of
our oppressors.
The phrase "we condemn violence wherever it comes from" has become the
standard answer of authorities every time a new atrocity, torture or
murder committed by the "law enforcement authorities" is revealed (at
times, also known as "citizens' protectors"). We often see the attempt
by the corporate media, the governments and other fascist social
circles, to put the lives of human beings on the scale; in other
words, to downgrade the torture or the murderous attacks of the state
against the citizens compared to the attacks of the demonstrators
against the riot police, for example. We now know very well that for
whom the lives of some are worth less than those of others, and this
is one of the first things we have to reject; besides this is the
essence of humanism.
The Western civilization, since the Enlightenment, in all its legal
practices, has ranked violence on several different levels. That is, a
crime is characterised as heinous or serious when this is committed by
a person who has assumed a role of protection or has a higher
authority than the victim.
What is more, when a person of authority is exploiting their position
they can be found guilty of abuse of authority even when committing an
act that would otherwise be legal. That is stated and found in all
declarations of human rights and in all judicial precedents in the
Western world.
For this exact reason, a rapist parent is considered to be a heinous
criminal. For the same reason, a teacher or a superior is committing
sexual harassment when they flirt with their student or their
inferior; similarly, a boss is committing harassment and psychological
abuse when they yell at their employees. Based on this principle,
someone who is committing a crime while in a position of authority, is
considered even more responsible by the Law. What makes their action
heinous is the exploitation of the position of the perpetrator and the
breach of the duty they are set to perform. This is exactly why a
beating, harassment, destruction of property or the murderer of a
person by a police officer bear a much greater weight of hideousness
than when the same acts are committed by a random citizen.
For the same reason, the misappropriation of public money or a mere
theft are a lot more heinous when committed by a politician who has
been elected in order to defend the public interest, than when
committed by a simple citizen. That is why the punishment of Jean
Valjean in Les Miserables is considered universally unjust relatively
to the punishment of a politician who has misappropriated any amount
of money from a public treasury; not because of the size of the
larceny but because of the position held by the perpetrator while he
was committing the crime.
Additionally, the Law recognizes extenuating circumstances such as the
commission of the crime "in the heat of the moment", in "self-defense"
etc.
Authorities, from the government and the corporate media to the
police, seem to be forgetting all this and try to make us consider
violence to be equally condemnable no matter who commits it; whether
it is the oppressor or the oppressed.
This is simply an attempt to level and equalize the violence of the
oppressor with any lawful
self-defense of the oppressed. This way (they hope), when we will be
required to defend ourselves from the direct violent attacks of our
oppressors we will have been conditioned to submission and we will be
feeling uncomfortable to even use our legitimate right to use violence
in order to defend ourselves. This is why, even if I am fighting for a
just world in a peaceful way, I do not indiscriminately condemn
violence.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Concordia University Supports Accessible Education in Quebec
Concordia hosts all-day gala in celebration of new plan dedicated to securing accessible education in Quebec
Montreal, March 21, 2012 - Today Concordia University formally announces its position against the education reforms put forward by the Charest government’s 2011-2012 budget, and invites members of the University community to celebrate the ongoing pursuit of accessible education in Quebec at a gala event held in the lobby of the GM building (1550 De Maisonneuve W.) beginning at 7:30am.
In the midst of political turmoil gripping the province, Concordia has acknowledged that although it is important for the University to continue its world class research and other academic activity, Concordia’s position is such that it is equally important to cradle such academic work in a world class commitment to social justice and equality. While the administration admits that the student strike has placed a temporary burden on the academic functioning of the university, a Concordia spokesperson recognized that it has also opened the doors to student participation in Quebec politics and constitutes a powerful form of education in and of itself.
In order to enhance its competitive position among world universities, and in support of the growing concerns of the Concordia community, Concordia University is making the following four commitments, effective immediately:
i. The administration, in cooperation with CUFA, CUPFA and Provost David Graham, grants academic amnesty to all Concordia students who have been engaged in strike activities since the first departmental associations voted to go on strike.
ii. A financial plan will be developed to dedicate $3.1 million directly into student bursaries and scholarships, matching the sum that was paid in severance packages to top level administers between 2009 and 2010.
iii. The university’s position within CREPUQ will be used to lobby the government to recall its “fair and balanced” education budget, and explore models of University funding through progressive taxation, such as those successfully implemented by countries like Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
iv. A commitment will be made to re-evaluate the membership of Concordia’s Board of Governors. While current members have remained dedicated to diligently ensuring the smooth operation of the University, the current socio-political climate of the Concordia community and the province suggests that the heads of major corporations may not necessarily be representative of the community at large. Concordia will consider developing a system in which “community-at-large” representatives are democratically elected by the Concordia community itself, which would include students, staff and faculty.
Department heads have also stepped up to support Concordia’s decision. “I have no choice but to accept that the tactic of stopping classroom instruction represents the collective, and thoroughly discussed, decision of our students [...] It would be unacceptable to me if a member of our community, whose political action was sanctioned by a truly democratic assembly, were to seriously suffer for that action,” says David Greene, Chair of the Geography, Planning and Environment department.
Concordia University is an integral part of the institutional fabric of Montreal and a major driver of economic and social development in Quebec. Evidence of the far-reaching benefits of affordable public education and research not only provides a convincing argument for maintaining fair access to Quebec’s post-secondary institutions, but also highlights the potential economic advantages that stem from maintaining a wide pool of individuals who are able to apply their time and intellectual labour for the benefit of society.
Members of the Montreal community are cordially invited to join Concordia representatives in celebration of this commitment to accessible education today, Wednesday, March 21st, at an all-day gala in the Lobby of the GM administration building, 1550 De Maisonneuve W. The gala will begin at 7:30am and continue for the duration of the day. Refreshments will be provided. Media welcome.
-30-
Source and More Information:
Christina Moto
Concordia University Media Relations
Phone: 514-848-2424
Email: Media.Concordiauniversity@gmail.com
Montreal, March 21, 2012 - Today Concordia University formally announces its position against the education reforms put forward by the Charest government’s 2011-2012 budget, and invites members of the University community to celebrate the ongoing pursuit of accessible education in Quebec at a gala event held in the lobby of the GM building (1550 De Maisonneuve W.) beginning at 7:30am.
In the midst of political turmoil gripping the province, Concordia has acknowledged that although it is important for the University to continue its world class research and other academic activity, Concordia’s position is such that it is equally important to cradle such academic work in a world class commitment to social justice and equality. While the administration admits that the student strike has placed a temporary burden on the academic functioning of the university, a Concordia spokesperson recognized that it has also opened the doors to student participation in Quebec politics and constitutes a powerful form of education in and of itself.
In order to enhance its competitive position among world universities, and in support of the growing concerns of the Concordia community, Concordia University is making the following four commitments, effective immediately:
i. The administration, in cooperation with CUFA, CUPFA and Provost David Graham, grants academic amnesty to all Concordia students who have been engaged in strike activities since the first departmental associations voted to go on strike.
ii. A financial plan will be developed to dedicate $3.1 million directly into student bursaries and scholarships, matching the sum that was paid in severance packages to top level administers between 2009 and 2010.
iii. The university’s position within CREPUQ will be used to lobby the government to recall its “fair and balanced” education budget, and explore models of University funding through progressive taxation, such as those successfully implemented by countries like Germany, Denmark and Sweden.
iv. A commitment will be made to re-evaluate the membership of Concordia’s Board of Governors. While current members have remained dedicated to diligently ensuring the smooth operation of the University, the current socio-political climate of the Concordia community and the province suggests that the heads of major corporations may not necessarily be representative of the community at large. Concordia will consider developing a system in which “community-at-large” representatives are democratically elected by the Concordia community itself, which would include students, staff and faculty.
Department heads have also stepped up to support Concordia’s decision. “I have no choice but to accept that the tactic of stopping classroom instruction represents the collective, and thoroughly discussed, decision of our students [...] It would be unacceptable to me if a member of our community, whose political action was sanctioned by a truly democratic assembly, were to seriously suffer for that action,” says David Greene, Chair of the Geography, Planning and Environment department.
Concordia University is an integral part of the institutional fabric of Montreal and a major driver of economic and social development in Quebec. Evidence of the far-reaching benefits of affordable public education and research not only provides a convincing argument for maintaining fair access to Quebec’s post-secondary institutions, but also highlights the potential economic advantages that stem from maintaining a wide pool of individuals who are able to apply their time and intellectual labour for the benefit of society.
Members of the Montreal community are cordially invited to join Concordia representatives in celebration of this commitment to accessible education today, Wednesday, March 21st, at an all-day gala in the Lobby of the GM administration building, 1550 De Maisonneuve W. The gala will begin at 7:30am and continue for the duration of the day. Refreshments will be provided. Media welcome.
-30-
Source and More Information:
Christina Moto
Concordia University Media Relations
Phone: 514-848-2424
Email: Media.Concordiauniversity@gmail.com
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