In 1980, the country saw a referendum in Quebec, triggered by the separatist government under Rene Levesque. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau led the side against the question of separation. This editorial cartoon pretty much personifies their relationship.
Here we have Trudeau and Levesque giving speeches in the run up to the referendum, with pauses in the video as the other person takes over. The effect is as though they're debating in the same room. In the end, the referendum was defeated.
A Conservative government under Brian Mulroney attempted to amend the Constitution with the provincial and territorial premiers, through the Meech Lake Accord to alleviate the concerns that had led to the referendum in the first place. In the end, the Accord failed.
1995 saw another referendum on the issue of Quebec separation. It was narrowly defeated- the closest the country ever came to coming apart.
Francophone communities are found throughout the country, and the nation is officially bilingual.
The next section focuses on human rights, and the country has evolved over time to embrace them, from voting rights to citizenship to discrimination
This is the work of an artist, Laila Binbrek, called Mirror Mirror. It has two sides of a dressing table, with her dual identities represented- western on the one side and middle eastern on the other.
I like the bilingual stop sign.
ReplyDeleteOh, on one of my blog posts not too long ago when I showed a picture of what the stop signs look like here in Quebec with Arret only, one of my followers who is French from France told me that the word Stop is used in France.
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful walk through history. That editorial cartoon capturing the tension between Trudeau and Lévesque must say so much with just a few lines and expressions. It is fascinating how close 1995 came, history really can turn on a narrow margin. Do you remember where you were during that referendum? I also love that you included the piece by Laila Binbrek. The contrast of dual identities through something as personal as a dressing table feels both intimate and universal. I hope your weekend is filled with thoughtfulness and tranquility. I just shared a new travel post and you are warmly invited to read it www.melodyjacob.com
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