'You people': Don Cherry under fire for claiming new immigrants don't wear poppies

Charlemagne · Nov 10, 2019

Darren Calabrese/THE CANADIAN PRESS

'You people': Don Cherry under fire for claiming new immigrants don't wear Remembrance Day poppies

The Canadian Press

November 10, 2019 12:38 AM EST

Last Updated November 10, 2019 2:19 PM EST

TORONTO — Hockey commentator Don Cherry is in the limelight yet again, this time for complaining that he rarely sees people he believes to be new immigrants wearing poppies ahead of Remembrance Day.

The 85-year-old Cherry said on Saturday on his weekly Coach’s Corner segment as part of Hockey Night in Canada that he’s less frequently seeing people wearing poppies anymore to honour fallen Canadian soldiers — and he singled out those he believes are immigrants in Toronto, prompting a swift online backlash.

Rosa Hwang

@journorosa

Don Cherry’s rant on immigrants:

“You people... love our way of life, love our milk and honey. At least you could pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada.”

Ron MacLean nodded and gave a thumbs up.

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10:45 PM - Nov 9, 2019·Toronto, Ontario

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“You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said. “These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”

Sportsnet has apologized for hockey commentator Don Cherry’s remarks about what he believes are new immigrants not wearing poppies ahead of Remembrance Day.

“Don’s discriminatory comments are offensive and they do not represent our values and what we stand for as a network,” Sportsnet President Bart Yabsley said in a statement Sunday.

“We have spoken with Don about the severity of this issue and we sincerely apologize for these divisive remarks.”

Among the online responses was one from Paula Simons, an independent senator from Alberta.

She wrote that it has not been her experience that new immigrants don’t wear poppies or appreciate the tragedies of war, and further condemned the sentiment behind Cherry’s remarks.

“We don’t honour the sacrifice of those who died in battle by sowing division or distrust,” Simons wrote.

https://twitter.com/AhmarSKhan/status/1193360040238993409

Cherry made his comment prior to running his annual Remembrance Day video montage, where he is seen walking through a military cemetery in France visiting the graves of Canadian soldiers who went to battle in the First World War.

Poppies are sold every year starting on the last Friday in October until Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 by The Royal Canadian Legion to raise money in support of veterans and their families.

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/online-backlash-against-don-cherry-for-comments-on-immigrants-and-remembrance-day

bver_hunter · Nov 10, 2019

This is not the first time that Don Cherry has made some very controversial statements. Time for Sportsnet to show him the door. We need younger blood in the commentators box!!

Charlemagne · Nov 11, 2019

Burnaby’s Jagmeet Singh bodychecks Don Cherry over ‘you people’ rant

Burnaby’s Jagmeet Singh bodychecks Don Cherry over ‘you people’ rant

Chris Campbell/Burnaby Now

NOVEMBER 10, 2019 01:52 PM

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

The heat on Sportsnet commentator Don Cherry is intensifying over his comments about immigrants during Saturday night’s Coach’s Corner segment.

Cherry started a rant about people not wearing poppies by referring to immigrants as “you people" and questioning their patriotism.

That has brought a firestorm of criticism and demands the Sportsnet fire Cherry.

Burnaby South MP and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh tweeted a powerful response Sunday.

“Don, let me introduce you to “#youpeople” My great grandfather, Hira Singh, who served in WW1 & WW2 under the British. We honour all who served,” Singh tweeted.

Jagmeet Singh

@theJagmeetSingh

Don, let me introduce you to “#youpeople”

My great grandfather, Hira Singh, who served in WW1 & WW2 under the British.

We honour all who served. #RemembranceSunday

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“All sorts of people have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Canada. Women, immigrants, LGBTQ2S Cdns, Indigenous people. There is no "#youpeople”. We’re all as Canadian as the next. We honour all who served. That's what Canada is all about. #RemembranceSunday.”

Sportsnet has apologized for what the network called Cherry’s “discriminatory” and “offensive” comments, but Cherry has been silent.

Sportsnet has also said it spoke to Cherry about the issue.

https://www.burnabynow.com/news/burnaby-s-jagmeet-singh-bodychecks-don-cherry-over-you-people-rant-1.24003368

wigglee · Nov 11, 2019

Who takes Cherry seriously? He's a lovable old redneck yahoo who occasionally sticks his foot in his mouth..."good Canadian boy!"

Dutch Oven · Nov 11, 2019

Is Cherry factually wrong? Do new immigrants wear poppies just as commonly as people born in Canada? Has there ever been a serious study of this, or is it just based on each person's anecdotal evidence? Jagmeet Singh, as usual, misses the point in at least a couple of ways: 1) Singh is not an immigrant (he was born in Scarborough). He doesn't bother to clarify whether his parents or grandparents wore poppies, and 2) at most he's speaking about immigrants from nations that were part of the Allies. Does he make the same claim about people who have come to Canada from Axis countries?

For once, I'd like to see media honestly address whether the statement is true or false before immediately moving to an apology.

Lastly, lets not confuse morality for economics. Hockey is a huge TV money maker that is struggling to hang on to its audience because, let's face it, the demographics of the country are changing. They hope to make hockey fans out of new Canadians. HNIC's apology seems more focused on that consideration rather than the accuracy or propriety of what Cherry said.

drawcoat · Nov 11, 2019

Why no posting of the clearly hateful disgusting opinion peace done in the Toronto Star, I won't mention said persons name. It was about customers and the environment inside an iconic Canadian store. Truely disgraceful, however I defend his right to publish his nonsense.

What does strike rather harshly, is how I feel I am becoming a second class citizen in my own country. There are religious sects in this country that seem to have more civil rights than I. I have to wear a helmut when I drive a motorcycle, my son can't carry a hunting knife to school, but some children actually have the right to bring a knife to school. The fine gentleman from the Toronto Star is allowed to publish his disgusting opinion and Don Cherry can't promote poppies to immigrants.

You go tell Don Cherry he is a bad Canadian to his face. In todays times I don't have the right to tell The Toronto Star columnist how I feel. Weird times we live in.

Enjoy your freedoms while you have them, cause many are working very hard to take them away.

Frankfooter · Nov 11, 2019

Look, I went to Vimy for the 100th, all WWI vets are dead. Most WWII vets are dead.
The poppies are losing relevance in this country even with rabid right wingers.
And using 'you people' to describe immigrants is offensive.

Dutch Oven · Nov 11, 2019

Frankfooter said:
Look, I went to Vimy for the 100th, all WWI vets are dead. Most WWII vets are dead.
The poppies are losing relevance in this country even with rabid right wingers.
And using 'you people' to describe immigrants is offensive.

What point were you trying to make? That people shouldn't wear poppies? That you shouldn't honour people once they are dead? If there is a point to your post, I'm not following it.

As to who was offended - were they immigrants who do wear poppies? Immigrants who don't wear poppies but don't like being called out on it? People who don't even watch hockey, or care a lick about Canadian history or culture? I think Cherry's comments made it clear that if you wear a poppy, whether you are a new Canadian or not, his criticism was not directed at you.

Knuckle Ball · Nov 11, 2019

drawcoat said:
Why no posting of the clearly hateful disgusting opinion peace done in the Toronto Star, I won't mention said persons name. It was about customers and the environment inside an iconic Canadian store. Truely disgraceful, however I defend his right to publish his nonsense.

What does strike rather harshly, is how I feel I am becoming a second class citizen in my own country. There are religious sects in this country that seem to have more civil rights than I. I have to wear a helmut when I drive a motorcycle, my son can't carry a hunting knife to school, but some children actually have the right to bring a knife to school. The fine gentleman from the Toronto Star is allowed to publish his disgusting opinion and Don Cherry can't promote poppies to immigrants.

You go tell Don Cherry he is a bad Canadian to his face. In todays times I don't have the right to tell The Toronto Star columnist how I feel. Weird times we live in.

Enjoy your freedoms while you have them, cause many are working very hard to take them away.

I’m sorry to hear of the pain caused to you by being forced to wear a motorcycle helmet and your son’s not being allowed to bring a hunting knife to school.

Knuckle Ball · Nov 11, 2019

Dutch Oven said:
Is Cherry factually wrong? Do new immigrants wear poppies just as commonly as people born in Canada? Has there ever been a serious study of this, or is it just based on each person's anecdotal evidence? Jagmeet Singh, as usual, misses the point in at least a couple of ways: 1) Singh is not an immigrant (he was born in Scarborough). He doesn't bother to clarify whether his parents or grandparents wore poppies, and 2) at most he's speaking about immigrants from nations that were part of the Allies. Does he make the same claim about people who have come to Canada from Axis countries?

For once, I'd like to see media honestly address whether the statement is true or false before immediately moving to an apology.

Lastly, lets not confuse morality for economics. Hockey is a huge TV money maker that is struggling to hang on to its audience because, let's face it, the demographics of the country are changing. They hope to make hockey fans out of new Canadians. HNIC's apology seems more focused on that consideration rather than the accuracy or propriety of what Cherry said.

Of course there has been no study of this. That’s the point- it’s just Cherry shooting his mouth off with an ignorant, poorly informed opinion.

Do new immigrants wear poppies less frequently than others? We don’t know.

Are all Canadians wearing poppies less frequently than they used to? We don’t know.

Don is just offering a bigoted opinion that plays to white Canadians’ worst nature.

Dutch Oven · Nov 11, 2019

Knuckle Ball said:
Of course there has been no study of this. That’s the point- it’s just Cherry shooting his mouth off with an ignorant, poorly informed opinion.

Do new immigrants wear poppies less frequently than others? We don’t know.

Are all Canadians wearing poppies less frequently than they used to? We don’t know.

Don is just offering a bigoted opinion that plays to white Canadians’ worst nature.

If no one actually knows, why does the apology spoken by Ron McLean on behalf of HNIC suggest that Cherry's statement was incorrect?

From my own anecdotal observation, there are fewer people overall wearing poppies, and I have also observed that a smaller percentage of people who are new to Canada are wearing them than the percentage of those with deeper roots here. That lines up with some common sense as well. Absent a reason to do so, people are more likely to honour those that they have a personal connection with than those with whom they have no personal connection.

Many Canadians are deeply proud of the role members of the armed forces have played in ensuring our own freedom as well as the freedom of other people around the world, and understand that many have had to lose their lives to accomplish this. That appreciation is part of the culture and country that Canadians feel they have built. Because of that, I understand the related outlook that everything that is attractive about Canada to immigrants (prosperity, religious freedom, peace, security, etc.) is a direct result of these sacrifices. I can understand Canadians who want to feel that recent immigrants share these values, and value the sacrifices that were made for the country (and its culture) they have chosen as their new home. Wearing a poppy is a very small way of showing that shared appreciation.

At its bottom line, Cherry was merely expressing this point to those who might not be hearing it from within their own communities (and certainly not from the media!). In my opinion, it's a reasonable point of view about what is happening in society, whether backed by available statistical data or not. Good luck to HNIC if they don't care about offending those who share that view. I think they will quickly find out just who is really watching their broadcasts.

Knuckle Ball · Nov 11, 2019

Dutch Oven said:
If no one actually knows, why does the apology spoken by Ron McLean on behalf of HNIC suggest that Cherry's statement was incorrect?

From my own anecdotal observation, there are fewer people overall wearing poppies, and I have also observed that a smaller percentage of people who are new to Canada are wearing them than the percentage of those with deeper roots here. That lines up with some common sense as well. Absent a reason to do so, people are more likely to honour those that they have a personal connection with than those with whom they have no personal connection.

Many Canadians are deeply proud of the role members of the armed forces have played in ensuring our own freedom as well as the freedom of other people around the world, and understand that many have had to lose their lives to accomplish this. That appreciation is part of the culture and country that Canadians feel they have built. Because of that, I understand the related outlook that everything that is attractive about Canada to immigrants (prosperity, religious freedom, peace, security, etc.) is a direct result of these sacrifices. I can understand Canadians who want to feel that recent immigrants share these values, and value the sacrifices that were made for the country (and its culture) they have chosen as their new home. Wearing a poppy is a very small way of showing that shared appreciation.

At its bottom line, Cherry was merely expressing this point to those who might not be hearing it from within their own communities (and certainly not from the media!). In my opinion, it's a reasonable point of view about what is happening in society, whether backed by available statistical data or not. Good luck to HNIC if they don't care about offending those who share that view. I think they will quickly find out just who is really watching their broadcasts.

Because the comment is not based on fact...it is based on prejudice against newcomers. It reveals a dark anger towards immigrants based on ignorance and misinformation.

Your casual observations are not scientifically valid. They reflect more about you than the people you are observing.

Dutch Oven · Nov 11, 2019

Knuckle Ball said:
Because the comment is not based on fact...it is based on prejudice against newcomers. It reveals a dark anger towards immigrants based on ignorance and misinformation.

Your casual observations are not scientifically valid. They reflect more about you than the people you are observing.

Really? I'm not going to get into any personal information, but it would be pretty weird if I had the dark anger towards immigrants that you talk about.

What do you observe regarding who is wearing poppies when you are out and about? Or do you not trust your own "lyin eyes"? Or do you not get out amongst the people much?

Every serious study is preceded by opinions. There would never be any serious studies undertaken if there were never any opinions. Both opinions and facts are important to the public debate.

K Douglas · Nov 11, 2019

Frankfooter said:
Look, I went to Vimy for the 100th, all WWI vets are dead. Most WWII vets are dead.
The poppies are losing relevance in this country even with rabid right wingers.
And using 'you people' to describe immigrants is offensive.

Wow man you are ignorant. The poppy isn't worn just in memory of WWI and WWII vets. Canadian vets fought in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are still living today. Go to a Legion order a beer and strike up a conversation. You'll be a much better person for it.

And I agree that using the term "you people" is offensive. What is also offensive is the extreme lack of observation and respect for our military veterans by many of our recent immigrants/refugees. I took a walk this morning to grab a coffee. I passed dozens of visible minorities. Could count the # of those wearing poppies on one hand. Even those who were Caucasian I'd say less than half were wearing poppies. And this is on Remembrance Day. Truly shameful.

Gooseifur · Nov 11, 2019

bver_hunter said:
This is not the first time that Don Cherry has made some very controversial statements. Time for Sportsnet to show him the door. We need younger blood in the commentators box!!

They tried that with George Stefanopolous. It was a disaster, more Canadians and Hockey fans like Don Cherry than dislike him. If they fire him the backlash would be tenfold to what it is now about his comments. Rogers is leaking oil on the money they spent for the rights to broadcast hockey. He gets ratings, that's why they won't get rid of him.

Gooseifur · Nov 11, 2019

Frankfooter said:
Look, I went to Vimy for the 100th, all WWI vets are dead. Most WWII vets are dead.
The poppies are losing relevance in this country even with rabid right wingers.
And using 'you people' to describe immigrants is offensive.

It's about all veterans not just the two world wars. The poppy is a symbol of respect for those who fought for this country and for all the freedom's we have. Is it too much to ask for one day of tribute for these brave men and women? Maybe for guys like you. The poppy is a symbol of freedom as well, although freedom is rapidly disappearing with the rise of the moral police.

danmand · Nov 11, 2019

K Douglas said:
Wow man you are ignorant. The poppy isn't worn just in memory of WWI and WWII vets. Canadian vets fought in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are still living today. Go to a Legion order a beer and strike up a conversation. You'll be a much better person for it.

And I agree that using the term "you people" is offensive. What is also offensive is the extreme lack of observation and respect for our military veterans by many of our recent immigrants/refugees. I took a walk this morning to grab a coffee. I passed dozens of visible minorities. Could count the # of those wearing poppies on one hand. Even those who were Caucasian I'd say less than half were wearing poppies. And this is on Remembrance Day. Truly shameful.

I am an immigrant to this country, and have many times here on Terb been abused for it. As soon as I post anything controversial, I expect and do indeed receive the "go back to where you came from". I am not a recent immigrant and more white than most, so I can handle it just fine. But I am certainly able to understand what abuse recent immigrants of colour and remote religions must face on a daily basis. And it aint pretty, and does not do Canada proud.

So don't tell anybody that they have to wear a red marker to be considered Canadians. And a clown like Cherry should just STFU.

drawcoat · Nov 11, 2019

Thanks Knuckle ball. Your sympathy really comes thru. No pain on me Im good, Im just pointing out stone cold facts. But I will still continue to advocate for the likes of Jaagmeet Singhs brother to display signs in public about his love of our police. Its his right as a Canadian, I just wish I had all the rights he had. But thats ok, Ill solider on. Thanks again for setting me straight. By the way I don't ride a motorcycle, but I do know people who do and some of them would like to be able to ride without a helmut. Im sure you agree that Jaagmeets brother has the right to spout his brilliance on signs, how come you can't stand with other fellow Canadians who believe they too are equal in the eyes of the law.

smart_alek · Nov 11, 2019

K Douglas said:
Wow man you are ignorant. The poppy isn't worn just in memory of WWI and WWII vets. Canadian vets fought in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are still living today. Go to a Legion order a beer and strike up a conversation. You'll be a much better person for it.

And I agree that using the term "you people" is offensive. What is also offensive is the extreme lack of observation and respect for our military veterans by many of our recent immigrants/refugees. I took a walk this morning to grab a coffee. I passed dozens of visible minorities. Could count the # of those wearing poppies on one hand. Even those who were Caucasian I'd say less than half were wearing poppies. And this is on Remembrance Day. Truly shameful.

Go to the Legion? Many current ****** members can't stand the Legion.

K Douglas · Nov 11, 2019

danmand said:
I am an immigrant to this country, and have many times here on Terb been abused for it. As soon as I post anything controversial, I expect and do indeed receive the "go back to where you came from". I am not a recent immigrant and more white than most, so I can handle it just fine. But I am certainly able to understand what abuse recent immigrants of colour and remote religions must face on a daily basis. And it aint pretty, and does not do Canada proud.

So don't tell anybody that they have to wear a red marker to be considered Canadians. And a clown like Cherry should just STFU.

A red marker? You're ignorant. As far as your claims that recent immigrants of color must face pervasive discrimination/ridicule I have yet to see that. Only isolated incidents usually involving young white male punks. Can't remember the last time I saw that.

'You people': Don Cherry under fire for claiming new immigrants don't wear poppies

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