Who is the real rapist of history?

In the interview with Philip Preville ["No apologies", April 23], Jack Granatstein argues that, "the story of Canada is not a story of great drama. But it is a story of great success and great achievement." Undoubtedly Louis Riel and the terrified children forcibly removed from their homes to be placed in residential schools would disagree. Our history is not one story but rather a collection of individual accounts and statistics which constantly contradict each other. Granatstein proves the point with his own contradiction: he attacks the "cynical" political opportunism of those pressing the government to apologize for Riel's execution, then argues forcefully that the government is the only body with the authority to provide us with the "shared identity" he sorely laments.

I agree with Granatstein's suggestion that we are more tolerant today and would never, for example, repeat the hanging of Riel. But perhaps we would allow Donald Marshall or Guy Paul Morin to languish in prison. How much of their experience reflects the same power structures which sent Riel to the gallows? Have we really "learned the lessons of history," or have we simply found new and contemporary ways to repeat past injustices?

The recent trend of government apologies for injustices committed against minority groups is not a "gross misuse of history," but proof that our history is still alive. It represents a coming of age which should not be dismissed, despite the fact that those responsible for these gestures are politicians with their eyes set keenly on the polls. Pressure from public groups, including ethnic voting blocks, is a fundamental tenet of representative democracy. Should we allow the "rape of history" to continue by allowing minorities to use their political influence to change the public perception of our shared history? Or should we look to eminent historians to tell us what we should think about our past, and so about our future?

--Gyde Shepherd

Nike's no worse than Calvin Klein

Regarding your recent cover story on Nike apparel and sweatshop labour ["The unbearable lightness of buying sneakers", April 16]: I think that attacking Nike is a big mistake. Do you think that your Fila shoes and your stupid Calvin Klein T-shirts are made in Laval??

I work for Nike and you people don't know the real story. You're dreaming... get a life!

--Jean-François

Mirror: more filling, tastes great!

My first thought when I picked up the latest Mirror was "This isn't the Mirror." "Poon Twang" stuck-out its tongue from the cover, Jack Granatstein received a fair but ambiguous interview, and editorializing ran rough-shod over such journalistic pretensions as objectivity. A certain levity and exuberance effused the pages.

Where was the insipid pablum? Where was the self-righteous, sophomoric, pseudo left-wing rhetoric of most of the last decade? Presumably it sold its old futon and moved out west to get a law degree (where its cynicism and insincerity retains some value).

Rock on, baby! I'm glad that an iconoclast such as Sutherland is running the show. Hopefully I will continue to see a zesty baiting of Conrad Black, Charest, Bouchard and the rest of the cast of exploitative drips that infest our fair globe. And a heady sprinkling of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll and other delights won't bother me, either.

--Adam van Sertima

Spring fever cures galore

A recent Virgo horoscope by Rob Brezny ["Real astrology", April 2] requested that, "If you have any foolproof strategies for whipping up, enhancing and taking advantage of spring fever, send them to me." In the fairie spirit of the season, here are my suggestions:

Sleep with your windows wide open, your head at the foot of your bed. Flirt with everyone you know, especially those you find least attractive. Get your motorcycle licence even if you don't own a bike. Give yourself a gift, something you've wanted for a long time but didn't dare buy. Have sex. Make love. Skank, baby, skank. In your head. With a friend. With an enemy. In the tub. In a public place. Under your bed. On the kitchen table. In a friend's basement, garage or car. On the floor. Outdoors. Get as much of the funky, groove, action thing as you can possibly handle. Then get some more.

--Sherri Labour