BIZARRE SPECTACLE
I was 16 when I first sat through Luis Bunuel’s 1961 film Viridiana. For someone who grew up Catholic in Quebec, I was naturally shocked, stunned by the scene that parodied The Last Supper. It was devilishly irreverent. Standing in for Jesus and his apostles was a gluttonous band of squatters who overran a country estate where food and liquor were abundant and a lavish banquet possible. The scene didn’t enrage me. Instead it gave me insight into the power of old iconic imagery. Moreover, it moved me to begin to question the authority of the Church in the province — it enlarged my intellectual resources. As for the utility of the parody of The Last Supper staged at the Paris Olympics, I am unsure. I will only say that it seemed more like a gratuitous insult.
Orest Slepokura
Calgary
(Hence the apology from Paris organizers.)
VACCINES SAVE LIVES
Something we perceive as simple as a needle works as a life-saving intervention for babies around the world. It is clear that vaccines remain one of the most powerful tools in our fight against preventable diseases — in the span of the past 50 years, vaccines have saved 154 million lives all over the globe. Despite this vast success, it’s tragic to learn that more than 14 million infants do not receive a single vaccine each year, leading to millions of devastating deaths. The fact that these deaths are easily preventable breaks my heart — why should a helpless family suffer the death of a child if we have the power to stop it? As Canadians, investing in vaccines is an investment in our collective future. It is a commitment to health equity and a demonstration of solidarity with the global community. We urge Canada to invest and ensure that these essential vaccines reach every youth so that no child is denied the chance to thrive.
Safoora Mahmood
Brampton
(Not always preventable if there’s resistance due to personal beliefs.)