Rant for Canadians
This rant is not new, and a few of you have heard it before, but I am still so passionate about it that I'm going to make sure you all hear it one more time. It's a bit long, but it's worth reading and I will be very, very grateful to those who read and respond.* * * * *
Imagine for a moment, if you will, that something in your nation is not right. You don't live in Canada or even in a democracy. It doesn't matter what it is, really, an injustice in the social system, a political wrong-doing, whatever. At some point you are so sick of it, and so angry that you are ready to do something. Imagine you hear about a rally that's going to take place, and though you're not much of an activist type, you decide you're going to participate. You put on your jeans and tee shirt, grab your partner or friend and set out for the rally, mad and excited to be doing something about it.
Imagine you get to the sqare a little early and there are only about twenty people, which can't be right because you know at least twenty people yourself who will be going. There are a couple of police officers there who tell you there's an important function happening and they would just like to check your identification.
They can't explain it, there's a problem with their computers, would you mind just comming with them to the station while they double check your record. They're so polite, and they are the police, you can't refuse. Apparently the twenty other people are coming too. You all leave with them, a little disappointed, and when you get to the station you wait for about 20 minutes while they check with their computers. Then you're free to go.
Imagine that every person who went to the rally was diffused this way. There is no rally.
Imagine you write a letter and make some noise, and then your mail is opened daily before it ever reaches your mailbox. A box full of opened letters from your family, creditors, employers, friends. Imagine you make enough noise that you get interviewed by an international news paper. Two days later you get beat up by a bunch of thugs. Not related, right?
Imagine you get mad enough to start shouting on a street corner and collecting a crowd, about how it's not just and a few days later you get picked up by some government officials and join the list of dissappeared persons. What can anybody do about it? Nothing.
Imagine you did all of this, and nothing, not one thing, changed.
* * * * *
I work in the poorest district in Tunis. As described to me by a resident, it is to Tunis as the Ghetto is to New York. I see poverty here and a deep distinction in class. Where here I see frustration and thinly controled anger against the way things are, in the wealthy district where I live I see cynicism and disgust. This democratic nation offers few opportunities for citizens to feel like their voices are heard. I don't know the country well enough, but I get the impression their voices would fall on benign but deaf ears.
I get angry, and here's the rant, when I see how seldom Canadians use their voice. In this world your opininon is more likely to bring you pain and conflict than polite responses and action. We have every opportunity and freedom to ask for change, to fight for what we believe in: justice, fairness, equality, compassion and beauty. Most people in the world do not have that right or that option. Should they fight for change they may throw themselves against the wall of "the way things are" for years with no acknowledgement. Or they might try once and be removed from the situation permanently.
What is it that really makes you mad? Really? For me it is structural limitations on people's potential. That's why I'm working in poverty alleviation in Tunisia. Know what else eats me? Lack of long-term planning by our Federal and Provincial Governments in a number of areas. That's why I joined Canada25.
What gets you? Is it small? Huge? There's something for everyone, not one person dosen't have a beef with the way things are.
Found it?
Now here's the thing. Do something. ANYTHING! Write a letter, make a phone call, donate, attend a public meeting, talk to your boss or the HR representative. Make some small difference. Exercise your right, your RIGHT, for just one hour this week and make the country, province, community that you live in or international environment a better place for you and your kids, your friends, for new immigrants, for everyone. It is a priviledge reserved for a very small proportion of the world's population. You lucky, lucky people have this thing by birthright or by acquisition. Please use it, on behalf of yourselves and those who don't have the option.
Just one small action today, this week. Write it down. Do it.
I promise you, you'll feel great about it when you do.
posted by tiaraletourneau @ 11:05 a.m.
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