Newspapers print opinion columns. Generally, it is interesting to learn how someone thinks about something and why.

We do not expect to read obviously untrue statements in opinion columns, like that Donald Trump won the 2020 American presidential election, just like we do not expect someone to point to a rock and identify it as a ladybug. (Unless the rock is painted as a ladybug and things get all philosophical- fast.)

On April 20 of this year, the Cape Breton Post published an opinion piece written by David Delaney titled “Government Act Sidelines Equality and Free Speech in Nova Scotia."

You can read it here.

The Post should, in my opinion, consider whether Delaney is serving up obviously untrue statements as opinion.

What is the untrue statement that Delaney makes?

Delaney does not seem to be believe that systemic hate, inequity, and racism is a thing in Nova Scotia.

Let’s back up a little.

On April 22 of this year, the Nova Scotia Legislature passed a new law called: “The Dismantling Racism and Hate Act.”

You can read it here.

If you have ever read an act, you know that they usually begin with “Whereas” statements that give the reasons the act is needed.

Though there are eight “Whereas” in the act we are talking about, Delaney takes exception to only two in his opinion piece, he squishes them together like so:

“WHEREAS it is recognized that marginalized and racialized individuals and communities in Nova Scotia experience harmful and unjustifiable inequities and disparities because of systemic hate, inequity and racism and WHEREAS systemic hate, inequity and racism is often caused by government and public body policies.”

There is nothing shocking here.

But Delaney feigns shock to try to make a point:

“Tell me, are our police forces practicing hate and racism? What of our public-school teachers, our fire-fighters, our legislators, our health-care workers, our civil servants and on goes the list.”

And, naturally, then asks the reader, “Who are these racists and hate-filled exponents of inequality, oh, excuse me, inequity? Have any been fired for such egregious behaviour?”

Delaney seems to suggest that unless someone can take his hand and show him, à la A Christmas Carol, a specific person committing a wrong circa today that all is well.

Sadly, there is plenty of evidence that systemic hate, inquity, and racism exist in Nova Scotia. Here are just three pieces of said evidence:

1. Read about streets checks in Halifax.

The Halifax, Nova Scotia, Street Checks Report of 2019 offers clear evidence that African Nova Scotians were being street checked five times more than others in the community.

2. Read about the Shubenacadie Residential School.

Rose Proper gives evidence of her abuse and mistreatment at the Shubenacadie School in Nova Scotia.

3. Read about Africville.

The Canadian Museum of Human Rights has recorded the tragic demolition of the Nova Scotian community of Africville.

So, the Cape Breton Post might want to have David Delaney stick to opinions in his opinion pieces.

I think that its readers deserve such care being taken on their behalf.