The West Island is that part of Montreal that hugs the shores of Lac St. Louis, from Dorval to Ste. Anne de Bellevue. It used to be an Anglophone ghetto -- a glaring example of what we used to call The Two Solitudes in Quebec. In the last forty years, its population has changed. Lots of Francophones now live there as well as lots of immigrants -- particularly people of colour.
It's where I grew up. And it has its dark side. Global News reports that:
A West Island Liberal candidate said Wednesday that he will continue to campaign, despite being the target of a “public display of racism.”
Sameer Zuberi made the comment on Twitter Wednesday after at least three of his election posters were defaced with racist slurs, referring to people of Pakistani and Indian origins.
One of the signs even included a death threat.
Zuberi, whose father was born in Pakistan, is running for re-election in the federal riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard.
This election has exposed the anger that has been just below the surface during the pandemic. COVID has brought out the best in us. It has also brought out the worst in us.
Image: Global News
