The Media And Politicians Bought The Hijab Story Because They Wanted It So Badly
It’s rare that a single story can capture the tortured vanity of the modern-day Canada ruling class. But “Who cut my hijab?” will do until something better comes along.
To sum up, the Toronto media corps was summoned to hear how an 11-year-old girl in Scarborough was attacked by a smiling Asian man with scissors who tried to cut off her hijab. (Toronto cops briefly tweeted that there had been two attacks, assailant at large.) The photos and story, abetted by the Toronto police, the Toronto District School Board and the girl’s family, were rushed to print and on-air faster than you could say Omar Khadr.
As might be expected, the Progressive Chorus was immediately in full voice. From prime minister Justin Trudeau, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne, Toronto mayor John Tory down to the usual arts-community rabble, the tone was scandalization. Even new Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and the Toronto Sun were repulsed. This, they claimed, is what Canadians get for indulging their basest instincts about immigration.
Unsurprisingly, many Canadians joined in the chorus thinking the worst of their fellow citizens. That’s how it works in the Trudeau intimidation culture: either you buy into his agenda or you’re a hammered into a non-person.
But to anyone familiar with the many hoaxes perpetrated by zealous progressives the story had fraud written all over it. A vague description of a smiling attacker, a Muslim activist hovering over the girl and her 9-year-old brother making sure she got the narrative right. The usual unseemly rush to cry racism.
Plus, the eager supplicants of the TDSB rapturously reciting their “I told you so’s” from the wings. And, of course, a grateful media mob swallowing the sordid details like Jagermeister shots.
Apparently none of the seasoned reporters, editors or anchors thought it worth the time to slow down, get the details right. Or ask why the TDSB was exposing a victim of assault to the public— something they never do? This in spite of repeated frauds that are easily found by searching the web (http://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/fatah-a-hijabi-hoax-that-fooled-canada).
And so the story went international, even catching the attention of CNN’s sensitivity purveyors. “You see?” they brayed. “Trumpism at work.”
Except, as we know now, it was all a scam. No one cut to any hijab, the girl confessed and the guilt soufflé collapsed.
In the real world of, say, even ten years ago, the parties embarrassing themselves with premature ejaculations of guilt would produce attempts to apologize, learn from their haste and vow to do better next time. The girl’s family might be held responsible for filing a false claim.
Good luck with that today. Here’s the PM acting like someone else is to blame. “We have seen an unfortunate pattern of increased hate crimes in past months directed towards religious minorities, particularity towards women.....We are thankful and relieved that this incident did not take place.”
Now here’s mayor Tory, making the case for why he jumped in with both feet upon hearing the unbelievable details. “@johntory It is good to know that this event didn't happen. We all must remain vigilant in the fight against hate, racism, bigotry, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to make sure our city remains an inclusive place.” Nice.
You see? It’s the fault of white Canadians— not them— that the girl lied, because the resident population are no-good Islamophobes. This exculpatory sentiment was the default position of all the SJWs who’d make themselves look like fools. Or craven politicians afraid to confront these fanatics lest they lose votes. (Maybe Tory needs to see The Darkest Hours to get a serving of backbone.)
Ten there were shameless hacks like Penny Gill, an autism advocate, who skirted the blame: “We had females wearing hijab in Canada for decades without incident. Attacks on those wearing hijab rose when Conservatives started using it as a wedge issue. People underestimate the dire effects of the politics of hate.” Conservatives = hate. Gullible SJWs = heart in right place.
The Globe & Mail printed this codswallop saying, okay, maybe not this time, but it’s still a terrible blight, believe us. (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/the-hijab-story-wasnt-true-but-our-compassion-must-not-waver/article37607962/).
The attitude of all the media fish caught in their own net was, what were we supposed to do? The cops vouched, the TDSB vouched, the PM vouched. You expect us to wait to check the facts and get beat on a fake story? C’mon.
The truth is that this story got traction because all the parties involved— the PM, the premier, the mayor, the TDSB, the Toronto cops and the media— wanted it to be true. As with the current spate of sexual-assault cases, they’re only too willing to accept a superficial story if it matches with their pre-conceived notion that white Canadians, the patriarchy and The Man are inherently evil.
Ironically, the story neatly dovetailed with Margaret Atwood— feminist icon till now— coming under assault from the better people because Maggie suggested that, when incomes to sexual assault, trial by fact is superior to trial by Twitter. Atwood, whose Handmaid’s Tale in now required reading for today’s aggrieved feminists, protested the scurrilous attacks on her Annexed self.
Haven’t I done enough to prove my bonafides? she bleated. Sadly, Maggie is discovering what Trudeau, Wynne, Tory and all the proper folks who eagerly embraced the Hijab Hoax will soon learn. Just because you’ve kept the crocodile fed before doesn’t mean you won’t be the next meal.
Bruce Dowbiggin @dowbboy.is the host of the podcast The Full Count with Bruce Dowbiggin on anticanetwork.com. He’s also a regular contributor three-times-a-week to Sirius XM Canada Talks Ch. 167. A two-time winner of the Gemini Award as Canada's top television sports broadcaster, he is also the best-selling author of seven books. His website is Not The Public Broadcaster (http://www.notthepublicbroadcaster.com)