 Oscar Peterson (public domain) One of Canada's most famous jazz musicians, Oscar Peterson, says he is fed up with "bigots" who drive by his Mississauga home shouting racial slurs.
This story appeared on the front page of the Vancouver Sun today. I am glad they covered it on the front page and shocked this is happening. Here's a guy who has recorded more than 200 albums, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and even had a school named after him, yet he and his family are heckled at with racist remarks from people driving by! And all this in Canada -- a country that prides itself on tolerance!
Peterson is quoted in the article as saying "I've travelled the U.S. states over the years, and I played the South and was subjected to quite a bit of racism. It didn't change me.... I came back to live in Canada, thinking that everything would be normal.
"It shakes my faith.... When you go along and you have friends from all walks of life, and suddenly you run into this, it makes you wonder."
Though he was born in Montreal, Peterson said he is considering repatriating to the West Indies, presumably where his family's roots are. I wouldn't blame him if he does. Could we still claim him to be one of Canada's greatest musicians?
Trackback(0)
 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed