It is highly unlikely that MP John Williamson would have debased King and the Civil Rights Movement's legacy if he knew that he'd have to answer to an effectively critical and vocal mass of politically engaged black community members. But alas, such a politically engaged and formally implicated political class of black Canadians does not yet exist.

So why do so few Canadians know about this exceptional leader? Because he's black? Well, yes, that's part of it. The other important reasons have to do with how little we as Canadians collectively value, and promote, Canadian civic literacy, and embrace a citizenship that is duty-oriented.

After being asked a question about cuts to the aboriginal community, the Health Minister responded the line of questioning was "unacceptable." If we take seriously the logic underlying this reaction, we are forbidden to question the Minister on her decisions related to aboriginal communities, merely because she is an aboriginal person herself.