By Jim Mullett

Pride in one's community or country is an important ingredient for a healthy society. But when those feelings cross over into ethnocentrism, the belief that one culture is superior to others, they preclude the critical examination necessary for a group to take stock of its flaws and move to correct them.

A group of students from East Wiltshire intermediate school in Cornwall, P.E.I., recently took a hard look at the world they live in, putting together a national award-winning video addressing racism on the Island. The kids are convinced they've witnessed bigotry in their schools and, judging by a recent rash of school suspensions for racially-related incidents, it appears their antennae are working quite well.

But children do not grow up and live in a vacuum. It's necessary for adults to follow the students' example, and think about how much their vigorous promotion of the Island's idyllic lifestyle interferes with their ability to spot whatever flaws may exist under the surface.

Doubtless the Island does have a safer, more relaxed way of life than probably anywhere else in Canada, which is something to be proud of. Be that as it may, there still exists a number of garden-variety social problems here.

All one has to do is look at the number and range of self-help groups listed in the newspaper each week.

There are groups to help people deal with incest, sexual abuse, addictions, spousal battering and a host of other problems. These groups are a positive force and indicate people are coping with the same human trials found in other societies. Keeping that in mind, it wouldn't be a stretch to suggest racism could be included on the list.

It takes a lot of courage for individuals to objectively examine their behaviours and attitudes, especially when it involves facing something so ugly as racism. But look we must, for if a society is to collectively conduct an honest self-appraisal, individuals must first get past the fear of self-disclosure, a tall order while in the process of self-promotion.

An immigration lawyer once said Canada is behind the United States as far as dealing with racism because we haven't yet acknowledged its existence. Emphasizing the positive aspects of the Island way of life is a great thing for tourism, but it has to be set aside when it's time to examine issues which threaten the right of others to live happily and freely.

Otherwise, what may appear to be a good thing may turn out to be the very concept that interferes with the Island's growth as a healthy society.

They say those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. That's probably true, but those who never face their demons never get to make that choice.