ROTHENBURGER: Allowing Russian flag at TRU’s International Days an insult to Ukraine

The university doesn’t get it. Whether or not Russian students support the horrible, inhumane, despicable war their country is waging against Ukraine is irrelevant. The Russian flag today represents crimes against humanity and, in act, a war on democracy that has impacts far beyond the borders of Ukraine.

Allowing the flag of such a place to be on display here is odious. Refusing to allow it would have reinforced the message to Russian students that their country is committing a terrible act that compounds itself each and every day. It’s a message they should take home with them.

It would have sent another message as well — to students of other countries including our own that we as Canadians and citizens of the world stand united with Ukraine. We’ve taken sides, and it’s the right one.

The issue of flags at TRU is no different than banning Russian athletes from competing under their own flag at international competitions. To do otherwise but ban the Russian flag is to confirm that we put sports or other public events above the tragedy of war on our priority list.

That’s not the way it should be, and TRU should do some serious rethinking about its responsibilities.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, alternate TNRD director and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Mel Rothenburger

ROTHENBURGER: Allowing Russian flag at TRU’s International Days an insult to Ukraine

Our Community