When a rather small and motley group of angry, frightened Albertans decides to march on the #ableg, carrying and wearing symbols of Trumpist racism, how should we react? Especially if what they are really seeking is attention and martyrdom?
Rather than giving oxygen to a tiny rump of misguided would-be martyrs, rather than letting them define Alberta, this morning I want to turn the conversation to how we shape, sustain and celebrate the courageous, welcoming multicultural Alberta the rest of us know & love.
Listen to the words of Indigenous Grande Prairie physician @AlikaMD, as he talks about ways to reach out to Albertans who reject masks & vaccines & discusses ways to build trust and community. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-1…
Listen to the experiences of @bmorishita, the mayor of Brooks & president of @TheAUMA, as he talks about historic racism & the challenges of building inclusive multicultural communities. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-3…
Multiculturalism isn’t an idea dreamt up by “Laurentian elites” & imposed by Ottawa. It was born in Alberta - and it had a surprising champion: Harry Strom. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-2…
And we should be leery of importing American political discourse here, as Chaldean Mensah explains: senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-6…
The future of Alberta does not belong to a handful of copycat yahoos with tiki torches. It belongs to people such as impassioned Calgary philanthropist & entrepreneur @lourdesmjuan. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-7…
It belongs to people like entrepreneurial Calgary journalist @TomiAjele. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-3…
And if conservatives are smart, they’ll plug into the energies of the likes of @PonNatalie, instead of catering to the paranoia of the political fringe. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-5…
My Edmonton and my Alberta aren’t defined by a disgruntled few. They’re defined by community champions such as @avnishnanda senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-8…
And led by the likes of @aaronpaquette - leaders with a new vision. senatorpaulasimons.podbean.com/e/s2-episode-9…
So yes - I just exploited yesterday’s dank protest to tweet about @AlbertaUnbound. But I want all of us - and all the world - to see the Edmonton and Alberta I know and love. And I want to push back against fear and anger, and to celebrate our courage, creativity & compassion.
Rather than curse the darkness? Let’s light a blaze of candles.
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