Reflection On Karen Burson's Article About Canada's Food Security

Our first understanding of humanity is based on the worldview we grew up in. It is important as it shapes our moral compass and how we see the world. My worldview is complex. For me, nature is a very concrete concept. It refers to the physical Earth and the things on it. It emcompasses trees, forests, animals and birds (Baldwin, 2014). It is significant to me, as it reflects on my own personal philosophy.

A spirituality that has been influenced by the religion I practice: Hinduism. Hinduism refers to an Indian religion, but Hindus often prefer the term Dharma. It is a way of life, arguably the oldest religion in the world. It is an eternal tradition, a way of understanding the evolvement of culture and history. It entails ascribed practices (deity worship, burning incense and reciting mantras). One of the most remarkable parts of my worldview is my relationship with Hinduism and it’s importance on respecting animals. For example, as a vegetarian, I avoid consuming meat in a culture that actively promotes it.

My worldview is positioned in such a way that it relates to my family, friends and Canada as a whole. This is due to the values/beliefs I’ve inherited (limiting animal consumption). The popularity of yoga in western media and the Hare Krishna Movement in Toronto has affirmed my belief in Hinduism, as I’ve devoted myself to the athetistic sect that is permissible and encouraged by the Dharma. Raised in a Hindu family, the movement (and my local temple) has encouraged me to spend time with people of my faith, to engage in a broader community. This includes taking a fascination in Hindu mythology and engaging in meditation. My faith has also exposed me to other ethnicities/faiths through my friends (black/white/Christian/Muslim, etc).

My worldview also influences the critical reading article. This is so as Karen Burson raises the question of food & what value we have put upon it. Growing up in a Hindu household, food was often offered to deities as a blessing for good health and happiness. To know that that there is massive deprivation of food, is especially troubling. For example, in India, the population is approximately 1 billion. Around 25% are currently undernourished (World Food Programme, 2016). In Canada, the population is roughly 36 million (Statistics Canada, 2016). In the same year, 8 out of 10 provinces saw an increase of food bank use (Canada Without Poverty, 2016).

Comparing India to Canada is significant as in both instances, it’s clear there is a select powerful that set policies and limit food security. This reinforces the value of food I’ve placed for myself through my worldview. As a Canadian, Burson has made me realize that we must consider national interests first, to ensure other Canadians are fed too.

aren Burson is trying to say that Canada’s food security is vulnerable to the policies of the United States. She is trying to convince me that the agricultural trade relationship with the US, may have a negative impact based upon Donald Trump’s political decisions. She accomplishes this by providing me with details of our relationship with Mexico and the shocking news that we import more food such as wheat and other commodities. These points provide the central claims and lays out the purpose of writing the text. She is trying to persuade Canadians to think more critically of how his threats against Canadian food exports may limit our access to healthy food.

The article was published by Raise The Hammer. Raise The Hammer refers to a local (and alternate media source), based in Hamilton, Ontario. This suggests that it is written for Ontarians, specifically those residing in Hamilton. In addition, it was published in June 2018. In that context it is intended to engage all Canadians in understanding contemporary Americans politics. The text employs distinctive types of reasoning. Burson employs moral/ethical reasoning, that advocates for what is considered right: prioritizing our citizens. For example, she uses her own individual bias as a Canadian in the following passage:‘’We know that Trump likes walls. He no doubt favours fences, too. For that reason, we need to tend to our own backyard with the kind of focus and resources that we could never have imagined before someone like Donald Trump set himself up in the White House’’ (Burson, 2018). In this, she is trying to persuade the audience of Trump’s nature, perhaps as a poor politician. She also utilizes priori reasoning. This refers to a type of thinking that makes arguments based upon logic and principles. For example, she assures Canadian that it is a good thing that our produce is grown in Mexico (belittling California's dry landscapes) but then raises concerns that the produce still has to travel through the United States to reach Canada. There is enough evidence to convince an audience as it comes from a trustworthy source. Burson is especially reputable in her city. This is demonstrated through her inclusion of her resume:

‘’Karen is most proud of her work at Environment Hamilton, where she co-founded Hamilton’s affordable food program called the Good Food Box Network, which also led to a major collaborative food access pilot project with staff and management at City of Hamilton. ’’(2018) By including her background, this quote establishes her reputability, notably in the city the article is intended for. Burson also includes evidence from other primary sources. For example, she draws upon a scholar, Wayne Roberts to propose that urban agriculture may be one of the few chances we have at accessing healthy food. Burson also provides a direct link to the original source so that the reader may learn more about urban agriculture and how to get involved. In her concluding paragraph, Burson acknowledges that Canada and the United States’s food systems are intertwined with one another, and then, encourages Canadians to support food production systems that will prioritize the country (2018).

The overall argument of the article is excellent. Karen Burson’s reasoning makes sense and the evidence provided supports her claims. Her sources are trustworthy and she employs writing that is easily comprehensible for an average Canadian. In conclusion, the quality and the strength of the article allows me to make a fair judgement that the argument is credible. Based on what is presented, I believe in Burson's assessments.