Diversity helps us stand against hate

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/02/2025 (238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As many people know, before coming to Brandon University, I was at Mount Royal University in Calgary. Every year, MRU participated in the Calgary Pride Parade, just as BU does here in Brandon. The Calgary one was a bit bigger, with thousands of people lining the streets to demonstrate their support for diversity and acceptance, but every Pride is a wonderful community event and always an inspiring day.

Every year in Calgary, as we neared the end of the parade, there would be a large homemade billboard decrying the event and listing the numerous sins of same-sex relations. One year, a student approached me and a history professor and indicated that protesters should not be allowed to gather at the parade.

Our response was two-fold. First, as a society it is dangerous grounds to determine what speech should be allowed and what speech should be disallowed. Canada has laws that prohibit hate speech. Protest that does not cross that line may be disturbing, but it is not illegal.

Second, and more importantly, the appearance of individuals protesting acceptance of diversity is an important reminder of the fragility of rights. There was a time in the history of Pride where participants believed they had to disguise themselves if they chose to march. The appearance of a protester, no matter how misguided, underscored the need to continually support diversity and human rights. The hard-fought fight for acceptance sadly is not a guarantee.

I was reminded of this in learning about the intimidation faced by Knox United Church for its strong allyship to the queer community. Knox is a wonderful neighbour to us at BU, and Kris and I have always felt welcomed there. Unfortunately, this is just part of the wider backlash to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) both here and in the United States. In the U.S., states have passed more than 85 pieces of legislation to limit the ability of public-sector institutions to support equity in the workplace. This type of reaction has also been felt in Canada. This again stresses the need to support EDI at all levels.

At the November meeting of the BU Board of Governors, the board endorsed our EDI Strategic Plan. During the discussion, Brandon University’s support for equity, diversity and inclusion programs at the highest levels was reaffirmed. At the same time, it was noted that the principles enshrined in our plan are already under threat, and it was powerful to hear that our board is firm in our commitment to these important principles.

Despite my training as a political scientist, I do not feel compelled to comment on every shift in the political winds. That wouldn’t be a good use of my time as BU president, nor does BU’s endorsement or condemnation hold much sway in national or international matters. However, ensuring that access to post-secondary education is open for everyone? Well that is a principle worth defending. As an open access institution, we will never back down from that commitment.

As I wrote in my year-end message to campus about a month ago, the vibrancy of our university relies on our being a hospitable place for people of varied backgrounds, cultures, belief systems, and even opinions. Diversity of perspective and thought is part of what makes our academic engine run.

So, it is in our self-interest to be a welcoming campus, where you can always feel that you belong, and that you are valued. But more fundamentally than that, it is not about self-interest — it is about interest and empathy for others. We support equity, diversity and inclusion for all because it is the right thing to do. Everyone has equal worth as a human being, and each of us here at BU deserves to be here with the fullness of our individual human dignity. We belong. Universities Canada places a high priority on EDI, and as members of this national organization we are proud of their stance.

That is why we put EDI and Indigeneity as two of our top strategic priorities in Mamaawii-atooshke aakihkiwiin, our strategic plan. That is why we are working with our colleagues across the country to reverse federal policies that have so badly affected international students. And that is why we highlighted to the province in our budget estimates for next year that our drive for a safe and welcoming campus must provide particular consideration for equity-deserving students, staff and faculty.

An old slogan at Brandon University was “Be You at BU.” It may be among Canada’s most obvious slogans, but it holds a profound meaning when looked at through an EDI lens. Our campus is a place where you can be yourself. You can explore your identity here. You can come out. You can be proud of who you truly are. At BU, you can Be You.

I know that we have not been perfect all along, and that we are not perfect today. However, we will continue to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion for all, and we will continue to work one step forward at a time, to put our commitments into action.