M965.199.6868 | "When Adults Don't Know the Answer they Just Yell Louder".
"When Adults Don't Know the Answer they Just Yell Louder".
1969, 20th century
Ink and graphite on paper
37 x 29.5 cm
Gift of Mr. John Collins - The Gazette
© McCord Museum
Keywords: Cartoon (19139) , Drawing (18637) , drawing (18379) , politics (10928)
Keys to History
Tension in St. Léonard is represented by children observing the adult skirmish over the issue of the free choice of the language of instruction.
The issue of the free choice of the language of instruction for parents of children of Italian origin in St. Léonard emerged in the midst of the rise of Québec nationalism. It led to a stormy public debate.
The city of St. Léonard, in northeast Montreal, was at the centre of this language row.
The St. Léonard controversy began in 1968. It degenerated into a crisis at the start of the new school year in 1969, when clashes occurred in the streets.
St. Léonard parents of Italian origin and the Mouvement pour l'intégration scolaire were the main players in this conflict. In the cartoon they are represented by the signs "Language Rights" and "Unilingualism."