Shower Thoughts is a platform geared mainly towards the discussions about immigration and the people related to it. This past November, the Canadian national headlines were booming on the subject of immigrants and the criticism of their choices. Don Cherry, longtime sportsnet host, sparked a nationwide controversy on the subject of immigrants which ultimately resulted in his downfall. He voiced his own opinion about Canadian’s (supposedly immigrants) and their habits of not wearing poppies to remember the soldiers that fought for our country. In the article published by “SportingNews” we were exposed to some of his bold statements about immigrants.
We were dissatisfied with the article posted by “SportingNews”. The questions that were asked were too provocative for a specific answer as opposed to his true intent. We as a platform want to challenge them and ameliorate their questions by formulating our own. An example, “I don’t regret a thing”, vivid, a blunt statement that shows he doesn’t care. However if Cherry says he meant to say ‘everyone’ instead of “you people”, he does care. Everyone thoughts have layers, not just black white. The questions we pose evoke a deeper level of insight and understanding of people’s opinions. More specifically, a deeper insight on immigrants.
“SportingNews” presented the tip of the iceberg of Don Cherries beliefs. “I believe everybody in this country should wear a poppy, and buy a poppy to support the families of servicemen, and that’s the way I feel.” he said. Our Podcast wants to bring into light that there are a deeper meaning behind the words we say. If you re-watch the clip of him saying his statements about immigrants, Don Cherry didn’t necessary focus on just immigrants. “I never said ‘immigrants’, I never said anything, I said, ‘you people’ and they could have been Scottish, they could have been Irish, they could have been anything, but that’s the way the world is today.” The misunderstanding of Don Cherry’s intent was a result of lack of knowledge as well as in-depth questions.
If Shower Thoughts were given the chance of interviewing Don Cherry we will want to ask like “If this was said by a person with a different ethnic background do you think they will meet with the same amount of criticism and backlash that you received?” This question, we believe will added a more in-depth answer from Don Cherry. It will also reveal his character on the matter. We know that Don Cherry’s intent was to raise awareness to immigrants that they should respect our soldiers and the traditions of our country. But “SportingNews” twisted his intent on their article to make it seen like Don Cherry he is not sorry for what he has said. “What made you voice your opinion bring your coach’s corner segment? Was it an encounter with someone? Or was it a thought that has been in your mind?” This is a perfect example of the questions that will show why Don Cherry did what he did?
Coming from 4 teenagers of immigrant parents, we believe that Don Cherry’s intent on the matter of purchasing poppies on remembrance day is correct. But the way he stated his believes on national television were not welcomed by viewers. Cherry’s use of “You people” could’ve definitely been better as media sources took this opportunity to twist his intent. People assume that “You people” refers to immigrants, people assume Don Cherry’s intent was to disrespect immigrants, but that’s all assuming. Jumping into conclusions like we did in the past made us misinterpret his words. Shower Thoughts is a media platform that reveals topics that have a deeper meaning.
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