To the editor,
Regarding the LCBO pilot project that was recently the subject of a very publicized 180-degree course change, I have a few thoughts on some of the other letters to the editor that have appeared in the wake of this about-face.
One writer said all the right words in their letter, using "colonialism," or "colonialist," repeatedly. But this letter -- in my opinion -- said absolutely nothing.
Another letter had me equally confused. The author levels veiled accusations of racism by the LCBO and expresses privacy concerns that confuse me. Does this author have a cell phone? A smart TV? The internet? Showing ID at a liquor store seems like the least of the author's troubles.
The aspect of both of their letters that shocked me the most was the infantilization of Indigenous people - the assertion that they're helpless beings who couldn't possibly have or acquire ID for themselves. Indigenous people also drive cars, use health care facilities, travel internationally and are overwhelmingly capable of producing a piece of ID.
We live in an era where the common taxpayer is increasingly critical of how our dollars are spent by the government yet for some reason society seems OK with our cash in the form of glass bottles flying out the door of LCBO outlets all over the province every day. I don't know why they chose the locations they did -- perhaps they have higher theft per volume of sales than other locations but until someone retrieves this data it's kind of pointless to argue about.
At any rate, I was absolutely appalled that people would level accusations of bigotry while perpetuating stereotypes of Indigenous people being incapable, helpless folks with no ID. And on a note of personal responsibility . . . if I found myself without all my ID (wallet lost, stolen, etc.) I don't think the liquor store would be my first stop. But that's just me.
Nathan Hewitson,
Thunder Bay
