Stop Spread of Hate

Nova Scotians must stop the spread of hate and be better role models for our children, said Mayann Francis, executive director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

Ms. Francis issued the challenge in her remarks for Human Rights Day, celebrated with a special event at Dalhousie University on Dec. 10

Ms. Francis is concerned about increasing reports of hate crimes. She said those who think in categories of 'us' and 'them' create a fertile environment for hate to blossom. Society should welcome all Canadians, she said.

"Hate splinters, festers and multiplies," said Ms. Francis. "Hate spreads in families and can pass from one generation to the next. Hate can be dormant, but it's made easily active, especially with kids. Hate can lead to violence and death. Hate starts as a seed but if the soil is rich and the environment warm and nurturing, it will grow. Do what you can to fight hate in Nova Scotia."

The Human Rights Day program for 1999 included the presentation of the Human Rights Citizenship Award, sponsored by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Award recipient Henderson Paris was recognized for his ongoing commitment to human rights through the annual Run Against Racism that he organizes annually in New Glasgow, N.S.

Human Rights Journalism Awards sponsored by the commission were presented to encourage and recognize excellence in human rights reporting. The recipients of this year's journalism awards are:

• James Brooke, New York Times, print category special citation, for his story Lost History Found, an exploration of the history of Black Loyalists in Nova Scotia, as re-printed in the Chronicle-Herald on Oct. 30, 1999;

• Steve Sutherland, CBC Radio, broadcast category, for his story on a proposed curfew for youth in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality as aired Nov. 4, 1998.

Awards also were presented to seven metro-area students for bus murals they designed depicting human rights themes that are important to youth. The murals will be displayed on Metro Transit buses this month. The award recipients are:

• Jessica McCarthy, Amber Pratt and Kendra Teal of A.J. Smeltzer Junior High, Lower Sackville, for the mural We're All Equal;

• Carlette Gray of Graham Creighton Junior High, Cherry Brook, for We Need People of All Ages to Make Our World;

• Ronnie Kennedy, Caledonia Junior High, Dartmouth, for Clean Environment with Clean Air and Fresh Water;

• Lorna Reteff, Caledonia Junior High, Dartmouth, for Nobody Starves Unless We Let Them;

• and Matthew Hughson, Sir Robert Borden Junior High, Cole Harbour, for Live in an Environment with Fresh Air, Clean Water and No Pollution.

Human Rights Day 1999 is sponsored by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, the Atlantic Jewish Council, the Baha'i community, the Black Educators Association, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Halifax Regional Police, Human Resources Development Canada, Lester Pearson International Institute at Dalhousie University, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Scotiabank.