generalspeaking

Outrage in Montreal

Cartoons again, offending people. No, this one isn't a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed, and there will not be a world-wide outcry, with savage results in riots and burnings and people being slashed to death, and religious calls from the pulpit for death to the infidels. This is a protest on a more sedate level, befitting civil human beings. Even if they're off on the deep end.

Who knew that Montreal had Jewish taxi drivers? I mean, one conjures up the picture of French-Canadian taxi drivers, or people from the Middle East trained as rocket scientists but working as taxi drivers because their certification isn't recognized in professional circles in Canada. But no, Montreal has a Jewish cab driver, Arieh Perecowicz. Who evidently treats his cab like it was his inner sanctorum, a movable shrine, as it were.

Within Mr. Perecowicz's cab, proudly displayed, were photos of his family and his rabbi, no less. Along with mezuzahs which are little brass holders of prayer parchments which the orthodox kiss on entering and exiting a home; or in this instance, a movable conveyance. Oh, the cab also held a poppy and a Canadian flag. The sum total of Mr. Perecowicz's life as it were; personal, religious, patriotic. What's not to like?

Well, er, entering such a cab might make many, if not most people a trifle anxious? What, is this a parlour, a quasi-synagogue, or a veterans' hall? Presumably there were no complaints from his clients. Perhaps Mr. Perecowicz is possessed of such a charming personality that all people notice is his wit and unending brilliant commentary on the state of the world. However, the Montreal Taxi Bureau was not amused.

An inspector, it would appear, a Stephanie Johnson, held that the contents of the interior of Mr. Perecowicz's cab contravened city bylaw which most unfortunately for Mr. Perecowicz restricts the display of taxi-unrelated objects in a cab in service. Discrimination! Jewish religious objects not permitted in a cab! Mr. Perecowicz is in the process of suing the city for damages to the tune of $1,400.

Amusing, is it not? Evidently the Montreal newspaper La Metropole thought it was. They published what they thought was a puckish cartoon showing a Hasidic Jew hailing passengers "Come in! May Yaveh be with you..." And the text on the cartoon reads: "A taxi transformed into a ... synagogue"? Well, isn't that fair game? Evidently not.

Some members of Montreal's Jewish community have written in protest to La Metropole, complaining to Jewish advocacy groups in the province, claiming the cartoon was offensively anti-Semitic. Ya gotta be kidding!


A taxi transformed into a synagogue? "David's Taxi" Driver is saying "Come in, may G-D be with you!"

And guess what? No offence intended.

posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, August 10, 2010