Learning from the news
Obviously, this is not the first time we have (collectively) shone a light on the dark corners of our society. However, if enough people are watching, when that light come on, it could make a difference. Right now, all across the continent (and off across the oceans), people are on the march. All to underline that we can’t continue to kill people just because of their skin colour. Forget the noise (over how riots aren’t the answer). Finally, some of you have taken notice. That’s a start.
I live in a part of the world that is, by measure, a homogenous mix. We all know “where we came from”, and how we are linked. So many cousins. I have to take it on faith that we get a “pass” which would be welcome in other places. I mean, the last riot in this province was… let me check my notes… back in the spring of ’47. Yes, more than a century and a half ago. And it was political rather than racial, in nature. People remember (thanks to certain history professors). Still, in remembering, we’ve avoided a do-over.
I can’t add much to the discussion. My day to day routine doesn’t involve many others. I do pay attention to the news, and I do take umbrage with those who don’t seem to “get it”. Believe me, not everything qualifies as fake news. As we get better at sorting out the imaginary from the real, I can only hope that those who are quick to jump to conclusions based on “their media feed” are open minded. When something has been corrected, I can only hope that they are able to learn and adjust.
Five years ago (already?) we turned out the lights, locked the door and left behind the house we had lived in for almost three decades. Didn’t look back, because we had a plan for the future.
