published in factoidz
Canada is hailed as a multicultural country tolerant and accepting of the practices and benefits of foreigners who live within its borders. However, sometimes certain practices of certain individuals or organizations and establishments in the country blatantly stands out in contrast. Luc Cagadoc, an innocent seven year old child was a victim of discrimination at Lalonde School in Roxboro on the West Island of Montreal.
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The little boy's teacher cruelly ridiculed him and embarrassed him in front of his classmates for eating with a fork and a spoon. Eating in this fashion is common practice in the Philippines, where the child's parents come from.
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Discrimination is wrong, and so damaging to the self esteem and the ego. It is even worse when it happens to a young child. Trauma of this sort sometimes is so extreme it is carried into adulthood and leaves the individual scarred for life.
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In Luc's particular case, the teacher signaled him out and asked him if people even washed their hands where he comes from. The child was traumatized. His parents say that he woke up at night screaming he didn't want to go to school. He was only consoled by going to sleep with his mom.
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The mom complained to the school about the situation but she refused justice or even sympathy.
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The answer she got from the principal was, "'Well madame, you are in Canada, here in Canada that is the way we eat! The mother who is a Canadian says she eats this way so how is a Canadian supposed to eat?
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The mother took the case to the Quebec Human Rights Commission who ruled in her favor The principal, teacher, and the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school board are to pay $17,000 in damages.
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The school board still has the right to appeal the case. Maria Gallardo, the mother says she is happy with the decision. It has brought her family closer together and she is proud of her heritage. She is proud of eating with a spoon and a fork.
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Little Luc told CtV Montreal that if you are being sexual abused, physically abused, or discriminated against you should tell somebody. The outcome of the case has helped him to overcome the embarrassment though the mother says she is still hurting. Luc is proud to eat with a spoon and fork and he wants to become a lawyer when he grows up.
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Comments: 50
This incident certainly does not sound typical of Canada.
I most times use only the fork. Sometimes I don't bother with any utensils.
I have never seen someone use a fork and spoon at the same time. I personaly steak and chicken with my fingers. My mouth reacts to feeling so If im chewing on steak and fat slips in with out me knowing (or something that just does not feel right) everything I have eaten comes up. No one has ever been mean to me because of it.
I hope the teacher and prrincipal lose there jobs. There is no reason to treat a child that way and anyone who does shouldnt work with children.
the child eats his main meal with both a fork and a spoon. That is what the school did not like. It was not the canadian or american way. That is the shame of it. If you click on the link you will see how little luc does it. I have seen it done before, he takes his fork and kind of pushing everything into the spoon and then eats with the spoon.
It is just a shame the teacher and principal should be fired
That said, if that were my kid, and the teacher still had a job, I'd be down there verbally kicking some serious butt. That kid should never have to see that teacher in a school setting again. It's one thing for a teacher to call a kid out on bad behavior when necessary in front of the other kids (something I know both of my parents did as teachers), but totally another for a teacher to behave like this one did.