Haroun Bouazzi’s recent sweeping statements on the alleged systemic racism that plagues Quebec society, and particularly the National Assembly, have earned him a major humiliation. And it is well deserved!
Evidence
Systemic racism refers to practices, policies and social structures that perpetuate racial inequalities, even in the absence of explicit discriminatory intentions.
However, given Mr. Bouazzi’s background, he is in a bad position to make systemic racism his business!
Mr. Bouazzi immigrated to Quebec at the age of 20. He obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer engineering from École Polytechnique. This is proof that there are no systemic obstacles for anyone wishing to get an education.
Immediately after graduating, he worked as an engineer, then joining the Business Development Bank of Canada, where he rose through the ranks to occupy the position of assistant vice-president. Mr. Bouazzi thus demonstrates that origin does not constitute a barrier to professional success.
He was then elected deputy, which confirms that the Quebec political system and the openness of voters allow everyone to succeed in the public sphere.
Mr. Bouazzi therefore has a lot of nerve to accuse his host society of systemic racism, when he benefited from the same opportunities as his fellow citizens, accessing education and positions of power.
Example
If Mr. Bouazzi sincerely cares about the fate of new immigrants, he should stop fueling a culture of victimization by crying racism. It is a misleading, depressing and defeatist speech for new immigrants.
Quebec allowed him to succeed. It is now up to him to use his journey as a source of hope for immigrants. It’s up to him to motivate them to follow his example, to show them that success is accessible to anyone who, like him, invests and seizes the opportunities offered by our society… a truly welcoming society!
