As an elected official - even locally & in another province - it would be irresponsible to make any statement that might colour perspectives in the event of what may be an inevitable appeal.
This is important.
Literally nothing resembling progress or justice or work happens with such statements.
It can come from anywhere. It can come from you.
We’re more than our daily (or centuries of) battles. Having vision means we can see beyond the troubles of today & realize that any future we build, we must build together.
That is apparent
And this will keep happening until we all stand up and see each other not as fools or monsters, but as neighbours and family.
Admitting we need to get to change is our challenge. They have a fancy term for how hard it is for us to consider other/different viewpoints.
It’s called Cognitive Dissonance
What is it? Well...
We don’t like doing it. At all. Even though it’s necessary for growth. We fight it!
We can be stronger than that.
We are stronger than that.
But there is a place.
And you’ll come with your burdens. You will arrive exhausted. You may even be distrustful...
We’re all heroes in our own stories, right? It hurts to be called villain.
Come to the place.
It’s a place not of peace but of struggle.
A place where we demand of ourselves humility. Where we use our ears, our intellect, our sense and our heart.
If you can’t do that you’re doing it wrong
We’ll be open to other perspectives so that at the least we can understand those viewpoints with some compassion - even if we can’t agree.
But we’re not afraid of work.
And we’re not afraid.
We can stand together even if we are apart.
Families are shattered.
Communities are shattered.
It’s time to put it together.
Together.