Parents against Parrots

A switch flicks, darkness brings silence, a glass smashes, a seven year old enters the kitchen, to the argument.

Dad?

Go back to your room, everything’s okay

Can I have a drink?

Just hold your horses, there’s broken glass

Can I have a drink?

Listen to your father, and go back to your room, please,

If I go back to my room, can I have a drink?

We’ll come see you soon. Jenn, I’m saying there’s no question that the system as it stands now in Ontario has been extremely effective in giving preference to young Catholic people and allowing opportunities to have a strong education.

You’re quoting him again.

I’m saying that our government has done everything in its power to strengthen the system that exists – and that means having a strong Catholic education system.

Really- her now? And what would you say, if, say, they cut funding to Catholics, and chose Hindus instead?

I really believe that the system as it exists should be strengthened, with an aim to cooperation, multiculturalism, and tolerance

I guess, well, what politician is going to engage the majority of their support base, and the christian lobby? Who wants to lose their job over that.

The debate had gone on three hours of wine too long. They went from discussing graffiti- stuck on the idea that modern art, hanging in galleries, was the climax of ‘good’ art- to the politics of tattoos- everyone will regret them, because we don’t have any- returning finally to the debate whether there were, well, dilemmas in only paying for Catholic schools from everyone’s taxes. The news was designed to share talking points, it seemed, and muzzle their critical, independent ideas.

Politics aside, Catholic schools teach our kids values, to go and do things, not just to sit around and talk about it, or repeat things they’d heard

WOW so everyone who isn’t Catholic just talks about the weather?

Values, I’m saying, of helping others, to be selfless, to be human- things you couldn’t learn on your own

You have no faith in people- is that ironic?

Jenn, I’m saying, how would you think to pack up your things, save your money, and go teach black people in their country how to be civilized? Education, that’s how-

Oh you’re just quoting the commercial now. I never understood all the clips of people in other countries: how was their suffering related to your white school board attempt to win over some parents-

Our kids went to save them, Jenn: Don’t act as though it wasn’t worth anything

mom mom I think everybody should just drink juice, can I have some

colour by ccekios

words by L.L.