Disclaimer

the x man, Dr Henry Mcoy, aka Beast, belongs to marvel,

Dr David Suzuki, is a real person and a world renowned geneticist,

He is the host of the cbc science show, "The Nature Of Things"

(he is also a social justice activist and a cool old dude)

(I have no money and am making none off this story)

This is a normal blackroom interview.

The Manitoulin Interview

by drkraven01

Still in studio,

Camera on Henry,

Henry has asked the studio catering service for dipped, cream filled doughnuts, with sprinkles,

(talking with mouth full) "Now if I could just get the rest of the country to accept the Canadian interpretation of what a doughnut is meant to be. We would be all set."

Camera to Dr Dave, (also enjoying a doughnut)

"I was wanting to ask about your work in mutant rights."

Camera on Henry,

"Oh dear, Well, The current administration in the Whitehouse is ignoring us in the rather vain hope that we shall all just go away. I have noticed a commonality of sorts though. Governments with good policys on mutant rights, also tend to have good policys on other social issues."

Camera on Dr Dave,

"Such as the environment."

Camera on Henry,

"Exactly. And health care, and accessability to services, and so on. The behavior of the current administration is at best reprehensible. I'm deeply ashamed of my own government at this point in time."

Henry scowls angrily,

"The fact that the mutant registration act is still being taken seriously by congress is horrifyingly offensive. And with the religious right holding so much power... Well, Ignorance and prejudice do tend to walk hand in hand. We do by our very existance, threaten their doctrinal position. And they hate us for prooving them wrong. Mutants don't fit into their world of selective bible literalism.. We are the next step in human evolution, And they would rather die than admit that there is even such a thing as evolution. Their religious dogma depends upon our not existing."

Henry sets down his coffee,

"Fear mongering politicians get votes by whiping up a storm of hysteria over an imaginary 'mutant threat'.. It's easyer to point at a minority and shout bigoted slogans, Than it is to address real problems. If the roads are full of potholes, dont bother fixing them, just blame the mutants. The voting public buys into these easy solutions. Many people do honestly believe that imprisoning or exterminating mutants will somehow fix all the problems that beset our socioty. Part of the problem is that nobody wants to give up their own position of privlege, We could ease unemployment by encouraging buisness to hire more people domesticly, and incidently reduce crime at the same time. But that would require people to make small sacrifices of their own comfort and convenience. It's easyer to blame minoritys such as mutants for widespread unemployment, poverty, and crime. And when blame is placed, Mob violence soon follows. The fact that some mutants have reacted and retaliated, only seems to feed the hate."

Camera to Dr Dave,

"You alluded earlyer Henry, to the experience of Japanese Canadians During the second world war. And to how we were placed in internment camps. This was done in the name of national security. Thousands of familys, my own included, lost everything they owned. The camps were over crowded, and healthcare was almost nonexistant. Thousands of internees died of easily preventable disease. And when it was over, the government acted as though it had never happened. Could this happen to mutants?"

Camera to Henry,

"I'm afraid David, That it's a very real posibility. Our own treatment of Japanese Americans was equaly reprehensible. And our behavior toward the native population is still a national disgrace. Any socioty that can commit such obcenitys once, can commit them again. The fact that we are still actively denying these attrocitys, speaks badly for the future. Those who deny history, are doomed to repeat it."

Both men pause and seem deeply lost in thought,

"On the topic of native populations David, I was quite impressed by your own work in supporting naive run, eco tourisim, It gives me hope. Helping these people regain control of their lives is a very important step towards prosperity and dignity.

Camera on Dr Dave,

"We have to be carefull though Henry, In the past we made the mistake of helping them in the wrong way. The arrogant assumption that we could 'fix' the natives by forcing them to addopt white culture, Was nothing short of ethnocide. It devastated native comunitys and culture. The legacy of displacement and disempowerment caused by paternalistic attitudes has left deep wounds in the native comunity, as well as many related social problems. We have to step back and let them build a new native culture from the ruins we have left of their original cultures."

Camera on Henry,

"I'm confused David, You say 'we' as though Japanese Canadians were responsible for the actions of white Canadians..."

Camera on Dr Dave,

"Yes Henry, Japanese Canadians have become merged with white Canadians, to become essentialy a single cultural entity. We have assumed the privleges of both parent cultures. And by default, we must also assume responsibility for the mistakes of both parent cultures."

Camera on Henry,

"I must say David, That I cannot find fault in your logic. I only wish more people would hold the same values and principles."

Camera on Dr Dave,

Now addressing the viewing audience,

"After our meeting in Toronto, Henry and I both went to Manitoulin Island. We met with several native leaders, to discuss important issues facing their comunitys. More on this, after we return..."

Fade to black, and cut to comercial