Date: Friday, June 15, 2001 2:04 PM
From: Kevin Nixon
Subject: Supreme Court of Canada child custody case over “mixed-race” kid
James and Charles
You guys should check out the attached URL’s. On July 14th, The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) heard arguements in the custody case of Elijah Van de Perre. His father, Theodore Edwards is an American NBA basketball player of African descent and his mother Kimberly Van de Perre is a Canadian of European descent. They are fighting over custody their “mixed-race” child. Edwards’ lawyers have cited the “one-drop” arguement and have said that he is more qualified to raise the child because society will perceive the child as being black and so should be brought up in a “black environment”. This case is getting alot of press up here.
Much to the credit of their Lordships and Ladyships, the Justices of the SCC don’t seem to be buying the one-drop “arguement”.
http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Editorials/20010615/ERACE.html
http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Letters/20010615/FRLETS-6.html
http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Letters/20010615/FRLETS-4.html
http://www.globeandmail.com/gam/Letters/20010615/FRLETS-5.html
There is a seperate e-mail from me with an attached story describing how the court has reacted to the “one-drop” arguement.
Cheers
Kevin Nixon
Ottawa, Ontario