Letters: Hateful comments in med-school group chat shocking

Montreal Gazette

16-05-2025

Re: ' Racist, sexist posts flood group chat for Quebec med school applicants ' (The Gazette, May 13)
It is shocking that a Discord channel used by Quebec medical school applicants was home to misogynistic, racist, homophobic and antisemitic posts.
How did such vile sentiments infect young people planning to become physicians dedicated to helping people?
It's so sad that this is happening in our backyard and in our educational institutions.
Do we now need to worry that a medical professional might act out their prejudice against those they deem unworthy of treatment?
This is beyond the pale and downright dangerous.
Goldie Olszynko, Mile End
Time to take a break from Trump
Re: 'Surefire coping methods for current U.S. presidency' (Josh Freed, May 10)
What I enjoy most about Josh Freed's commentary is that, while full of satire and humour, its underlying message is stone-cold true.
As much as possible, I try to remain apolitical. But after years of Donald Trump dominating the news, I believe Freed speaks for all of us: We need a break. One person should not be occupying this much space and time in our minds.
We should all turn off our electronic devices and TVs, grab a good book and a beverage, and sit outside in the sun.
This may be the cure for our collective 'post-Trumpatic stress disorder' (PTSD).
Nick Di Cino, Ahuntsic-Cartierville
Sentence exposes flawed system
Re: ' Judge reluctantly agrees to impose 7-year term for attempted murder ' (The Gazette, May 14)
A man stabs his ex-girlfriend multiple times and pleads guilty to attempted murder. The judge says he 'profoundly disagrees' with the joint sentencing recommendation by the Crown and defence but feels 'bound' to accept it because the Court of Appeal had reversed three of his previous harsher sentences.
This seems like a glaring example of the inherently terrible failures of our justice system allowing violent offenders to get off too easy and putting the public in potential danger.
Gerry Raven, Hampstead
Opinion page hits close to home
Four sujets de jour, all on the same page, all hitting close to home with me.
It could be because I am a proud Canadian who has lived most of my life in my beloved Montreal. Or because I am a Jew familiar with the horrors of the Holocaust. Or because I am a retired longtime EMSB employee with profound admiration for FACE.
Our special neighbours to the south should never be placed in the embarrassing position where they feel the need to apologize for their president's destructive and degrading behaviour toward a friend and ally (but we thank you anyway).
Prospective American tourists to our world-class city should never feel hesitant about travelling to any Canadian location for fear of reprisals (you are always welcome here).
I have no doubt that Holocaust education must be included in all schools to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about the dangers of antisemitism and hate.
And any permanent dismantling of FACE would put an equally permanent stain on those responsible for carrying out this decision.
I know all this makes me sound like my late father when I say: 'What is this world coming to?'
Lori Rubin, Hudson
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