Same rule for crucifixes, hijabs, kippahs, turbans, niqabs, burqas, etc.
2019-12-29
Religious symbols are no more sacred than MAGA hats worn by Trump supporters.
Sommaire en français Les signes religieux ne sont pas plus sacrés que les casquettes MAGA portées par les partisans de Donald Trump.
What would you think of a teacher who wore a Trump MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) hat throughout the day while teaching his or her class? I know what I would say: Take that thing off while you are at work. You can wear it all you want off the job. I would say the same thing to a person wearing a Christian crucifix, a Sikh turban, a Jewish kippah, an Islamic veil, etc. — i.e. NOT on the job.
Click to enlarge
A few political and religious symbols
Quebec already has a law (Public Service Act, on the books since 1983) which bans civil servants from displaying partisan political opinions while on the job. The new Bill 21 simply extends that to religious symbols, which are, of course, often very political. A religious symbol is no more sacred than a MAGA hat. Do what you want off the job. But on the job — especially if you work for the State, and especially if you are in a position of authority — you should take it off, in order to be fair to users of public services and students in schools.
The crucifix is the MAGA hat of Christianity.
The kippah is the MAGA hat of Judaism.
The turban is the MAGA hat of Sikhism.
The hijab is the MAGA hat of Islam.
The niqab and burqa are the MAGA hats of Islamism.
Next blog: 5e anniversaire de l’attentat contre Charlie Hebdo