Racism in Halifax – Blog - Jaclyn Holland-Strauss

I have heard of several examples of racism in Halifax, directed basically at Arabic students, although I am sure there are other examples. Some are involved with ongoing court cases, so I can’t discuss them, but here is one example I can mention. One of my students was sitting in a parking lot, talking to one of his friends. He eventually was ready to walk into his apartment building but before he did so, he noticed that a blonde, white woman had been staring at him for a while when he had been in the car. He went into the building, not sure of why the woman was staring. It turned out that she went in at the same time. He was just about ready to get on the elevator when he told her to go ahead of him. She said, “I don’t get on elevators with coloured people.” My Arabic student was shocked and stunned by this racism. I am, too. How sick does a person have to be to say something so ignorant?

Our differences should be celebrated, not condemned. Many believe believe in God, but we call Him different names. Some call Him Allah. Some call Him God. Some call Him Elohim. But it is the same perfect being we worship. Everyday people also are called by a variety of names. For example, my mother is called Mum by some. Others refer to her as Gammy. Some call her by her name, Reba. But she is still the same wonderful person. But different people have different relationships with her and perceive her in different ways. It is the same with God. I am Christian, and therefore I call Him God. Others are Muslim, and refer to Him as Allah. But the important thing is that we believe in Him. And we should concentrate on what is similar among us, rather than what is different.

The purpose of this website is to encourage understanding of other cultures and to celebrate our similarities and differences across the world. Because I know so many Arabic students through my tutoring work, my website will focus on a lot of themes that are relevant to that culture, as well as Western culture. I hope that in my own small way, I can be a type of ambassador and help people better appreciate the Middle East. It is where civilization began and that region’s contribution to the world is spellbinding.

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I am an amphiist, which I define as someone who looks at both sides of issues (it's a Greek word). However, I have my own expanded definition, which means that I believe in three interrelated concepts, which, when taken together, inform an amphiist viewpoint. Abraham Maslow talked about self-actualization, a person reaching their highest potential. Thomas Carlyle discussed natural aristocracy, which is a principle the Founding Fathers created with regard to the United States, that a person did not have to be of royal birth to have merit; it was the content of their character that counted. And scholars Mayer and Salovey came up with the concept of emotional intelligence, an idea popularized by Daniel Goleman. We should have control over our emotions, and see the bigger picture. All of these together make up an amphiist, and I apply this reasoning to politics, entertainment, etc. I defend the oppressed by offering an alternative perspective. I am currently raising funds for publication of an Amphiist newspaper, the primary focus of which will be anti-extremism. We need to find common ground. We need to stop thinking in terms of liberals against conservatives. Right against left. Men against women. One race against another. One religion against another. If you would be interested in contributing, please consider supporting my work at Paypal via jaclyncarter2005@gmail.com.

Agatha Christie is the best-selling single author of all time. She has sold over 4 billion copies to date (they’ve stopped counting!), and has been translated into over 100 languages. She has been outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her influence on the murder mystery genre is still being felt in the 21st century, with authors like RT Raichev, (a recent discovery of mine), frequently featured in Ellery Queen Mystery MagazinAgatha Christie is the best-selling single author of all time. She has sold over 4 billion copies to date (they’ve stopped counting!), and has been translated into over 100 languages. She has been outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare. Her influence on the murder mystery genre is still being felt in the 21st century, with authors like RT Raichev, (a recent discovery of mine), frequently featured in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and who has authored 9 published novels, carrying Agatha Christie’s literary torch. The books under discussion in my own book are The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Peril at End House, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (masterpiece), Evil under the Sun, The Body in the Library, A Murder is Announced, Murder at the Vicarage, The ABC Murders, Death on the Nile and Lord Edgware Dies (the last two of which are my personal favourites).e, and who has authored 9 published novels, carrying Agatha Christie’s literary torch. The books under discussion in my own book are The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Peril at End House, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (masterpiece), Evil under the Sun, The Body in the Library, A Murder is Announced, Murder at the Vicarage, The ABC Murders, Death on the Nile and Lord Edgware Dies (the last two of which are my personal favourites).