Former judge wants to bar Muslims from scholarships
March 11, 2009 - 5:35pm
A retired judge wants two Ontario universities to bar Muslim students from being awarded scholarships he has established, though the spokesperson for one institution says her school won't support a proposal that "flies in the face of everything we stand for."
Paul Staniszewski said he objects to the "medieval violence" used by the Taliban -- such as when Taliban militants recently kidnapped and beheaded Polish engineer Piotr Stanczak -- and he wishes to "disqualify" Muslim students from receiving financial aid he has paid for.
"I'm reacting to what's going on to people who aren't even soldiers, who are having their heads beheaded and this stuff is shown on the TVs and everything else," Staniszewski told CTV.ca in a phone interview from his Tecumseh, Ont., home, just outside of Windsor.
"I am doing the same thing these people are doing, except I'm not cutting off heads, I'm cutting off applications for help in their studies," he added later in the interview
Read it here.
This is a very suspicious story. The good "judge" appears to have told CTV about his hatred for Muslims, but not the two universities. I wonder who set up this provocation?
His money, his call.
Ethically or legally?
From a legal point of veiw, if he's set up some sort of endowment fund he may not be able to change the rules retroactively. However, if he funds it every year by writing a check I'm sure he can do it - if nothing else by simply cancelling the scholarship.
Regardless, I'm sure that he's on shaky legal grounds by trying to exclude a particular group from the scholarship [Rhodes Scholarships were originally only for white males but that has been changed despite specific provisions in Cecil Rhode's will].
Um, no, not "his money". He gave it to the universities and he didn't attach those conditions when he gave it, otherwise they wouldn't have accepted it.
I have an idea, gulcher: how about NOT condoning racism?
That said, abnormal is right - if the money is something he gives every year, as opposed to an endowment that he gave already (and the scholarships come from the interest payments) then he can easily cancel the scholarship by simply refusing to give the money any longer. And good riddance to it, too.
P.S. I'm going to move this to the anti-racism forum.
Ethically or legally?
From a legal point of veiw, if he's set up some sort of endowment fund he may not be able to change the rules retroactively. However, if he funds it every year by writing a check I'm sure he can do it - if nothing else by simply cancelling the scholarship.
Regardless, I'm sure that he's on shaky legal grounds by trying to exclude a particular group from the scholarship [Rhodes Scholarships were originally only for white males but that has been changed despite specific provisions in Cecil Rhode's will].
I agree, if he's already set it up in writing prior to this without having included this stipulation, then he's SOL. He shouldn't then be allowed to reneg, but if it's a question of as you say, writing a cheque, well...unfortunately that's his business in my opinion.
I think this story is disgraceful, however at UPEI right now there are scholarships that are only open to Catholic or Aboriginal students. Perhaps he should have went the pro-whatever religion he wants it intended for route, rather than anti- a specific religion.
It is discriminating based on religion, not race though, isn't it? I have a friend who is white and Muslim and still enjoys white privilege, while an Arab Christian is going to face racism. I am thinking this guy really intended to exclude Arabs?
Either way, what an idiot. I would love it if universities would tell all of these guys earmarking scholarships for specific religions or races to take their money and go away. But...I think that would lead us down to a discussion of the injustice of the student university financing system and how these sholarships would not be necessary if those issues were properly addressed...
Whether it's 'his' money or not, I can't see how the universities can continue awarding these scholarships now that the racist genie is out of the bottle. Who would want to subsidize their education with this money, except for individuals who agree? If the institutions do continue awarding these scholarships, would they not be facilitators of racism, even if they do not agree to the limitations?
Um, no, not "his money". He gave it to the universities and he didn't attach those conditions when he gave it, otherwise they wouldn't have accepted it.
Well, one would hope not anyway. And if it's true he did not originally attach those conditions in writing, then you're right he shouldn't be able to pull it at his leisure.
I have an idea too, Michelle: how about NOT assuming that I condone racism?
What I condone is the freedom for a person to spend their money as they wish. Do I think the judge is a heel for doing, or saying such a thing? On a personal level yes...bigotry's an archaic trait...but the man has a right to free speech, and freedom of expression.
If he chooses to "express" himself by legally being able to pull the funding of a scholarship because he's a racist...well...that's awful, but again...it's his money.
But like I've said, if he's on firm legal footing he can do it...if not...he can't. End of the day he's still an ignorant pr***, but he has the right to his views.
Agreed.
Semantics do not add anything to the core of this discussion. It's clear what this is about.
Semantics do not add anything to the core of this discussion. It's clear what this is about.
I just wanted to use that in pointing out that the university in my province already has several scholarships that discriminate based on religion.
Ghislaine are you equating scholarships designated for Aboriginal students only, Aboriginal students who are an historically excluded group from universities, to restricting a scholarship to anyone who is non-Muslim? Are you really doing that? Do you not see the difference?
And yes, the man is ignorant and meant "Arabs" but clearly has bought the mainstream anti-Muslim crappola.
And whether the judge actually can decide who his money goes to might depend on the university's diversity policy, which may prohibit this kind of racism. Yes, sometimes donors/funders do NOT have a say in who their money goes to.
And I'm sorry, but $3,000 a year? This guy's been a judge for how long? That's nothing to him, nothing at all.
Maysie, I see the difference - I am just pointing out that they are already scholarships to specific groups already. Some are oppressed groups (Aboriginal students), some are privileged groups (Catholics).
Were a lot of Taliban taking advantage of his scholarship?
I just wanted to use that in pointing out that the university in my province already has several scholarships that discriminate based on religion.
There are lots of scholarships that are specifically for people of certain races, religions, national backgrounds, etc. The difference here is that the way this guys phrased it is to exclude and demonize a certain culture instead of honouring a certain culture. I mean, if there's an Italian man who wants to offer a scholarship specifically for students of Italian heritage, I have no issue with that. If someone offers a scholarship for everyone EXCEPT Italians, it's vastly different. Both cases are "racial discrimination" but the motivations behind it are what matter.