A Day After Election in Alberta

Struggling today a bit ... During this crazy time here in the ole USofA I have always been able to lean on the fact that i could go home if things got really bad. Back to a place where people were more ... Canadian. The news in Alberta is a direct and complete rebuttal of that notion. If you don't believe in the NDP's policies, fine. She seems to have more than enough results in the positive, but fine. But to vote for a piece of shit like Kenney? Like trump, that dude transcends policy. He's horrible. By any even semi-objective metric, this guy is not fit to hold office and yet ... a majority. It's disheartening.
I think the most crushing thing for me is ... I am not living in the world I thought I was. I mean I always thought it was bad out there but not in my wildest dreams did I think that it was this bad. So many people are racist. They are. So many people are misogynists. They are. So many. Brown people are nonplussed of course. I, as a white, heterosexual middle aged dude, has floated along blissfully in my arts bubble. Thinking naively ... Yeah, it's not that bad and it's getting better. It's is and it might be but holy fuck. Trump, Kenney ... These guys are fucking monsters. They are bad people who stand for horrible things. And the people who voted for them didn't just appear, they were always here. Just quiet for the time being. Waiting - they do that really well. Waiting for their time when someone would rise and stand for traditional values and whatever else ... I grew up in a conservative area. Some of my friends are conservative. People who I grew up with. Came of age with. And who I am bonded for life. But some of the reductionist, simplistic and and misleading stuff they post ...? Fuck man. I dunno. It's tough, I see people who I know are inherently good and nice people aligning themselves with horrible people.
And the worst part is that I don't think there's anything that I could post, do or say that would change their minds ... or them mine I guess. But I do believe, with all that I am, that the progressive agenda is on the right side of history. That, while it's not perfect by any stretch ... and the people in it aren't perfect, they're flawed as well ... It's far better than the alternative. What's Kenney gonna do for climate change? What's Kenney gonna do for refugees and immigrants? These are the salient issues of our time and, for the next 4 years ... we're fucked.
Maybe this needed to happen. Maybe this is the band aid that I hid under that has now been ripped off. Love wins ... but it's getting tough. But if you're bored and/or silly enough to read this - chances are I love you. No matter how you voted.
Hang in there my friends ... And get busy. Time to do more than just recycle and be a nice person. Time to get some skin in the game. Time to get to work. No more can we/I be passive and take for granted that the world we live in will be a just one. There are dark forces out there and, for the moment, they are winning. And they will continue to unless I get off my ass and do something. Be the change.
And fuck you Kenney. Fuck. You.
Don't get comfortable.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

One of my saddest days in Winnipeg

Image
I felt compelled to attend an information meeting of the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre.  Compelled because it will be, not in my neighbourhood, but in my City Ward.  Compelled after reading Bruce's story and his family's wish to make this recovery centre his legacy.  Compelled because of the opposition to this centre.  I wanted my voice to be a positive one. Since the land has already been rezoned, the BORC is going to happen and the meeting was to update the community on progress and get input on a few minor details.   I didn't realize that it would be one of the saddest days I have experienced in Winnipeg.   When I arrived, I experienced the "white people". They were people dressed in white who were there to oppose the Centre.  In order to get in to the community centre, I had to pass two "white people" who were at the door with placards in opposition.  It was intimidating.  They didn't deter anyone from entering but those signs didn'
Read more

There's Something from Jenny - Part 2

Image
I am trying to evolve as a blogger.  One of my friends told me that I needed to start adding my pictures to my blog so that people would know who they are communicating with.  So, good, bad, or ugly, I am adding my picture as much as I can.  It makes me feel vulnerable.  Not as vulnerable as I would feel if I was running for Mayor of a major Canadian city. I can't imagine how vulnerable I would feel, having every move and every word analyzed and taken out of context.  Perspective always defines your reality.  For example, I could tell you that I witnessed a murder by the Superstore last week.  That might bring up some powerful images in your mind.  Then, there would be those who know that a group of crows is called a murder.  That gives my previous statement have a whole different image in your mind.  So, when I spent an hour with Jenny Motkaluk that was my biggest impression.  She doesn't mind being vulnerable.  She just wants an opportunity to explain herself fully. That
Read more

Seriously? Opposition to BORC opening at old Vimy Arena Site

Image
I decided to go for a walk today.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  My quest was to understand the home owner's opposition to having the closed arena site being converted to a much needed addiction treatment facility.  I took some pictures on my phone and want to explain what I found out.  The first picture was taken while I was standing on the immense green space at the back of the old Vimy Arena.  You can see in the background what is the closest residential development.  It is a town house complex.  In order for someone who was participating in treatment at BORC to interact with someone living in the complex, they would have to walk and then cross a creek, and then get through the trees.  I would think the residents living in that complex would be more worried about the drainage pipe that leads on the creek.  I would be concerned about a wandering child being trapped in there.  The second picture is just a shot of all the green space al
Read more