The World is Becoming Too Small

A couple of summers ago, this rest and recharge area "popped up" downtown.  It was such a beautiful oasis where you could sit and relax or play a game.  The plants were fragrant and it was just a great place to hang out.  I made a point of hanging out there for a little once a week.  I may have written a couple of blog entries there.  For some reason, I was usually the only one taking advantage of this pop-up.  It was hard to understand why other than maybe people knew I was coming. Regardless, this is what I like to think of Winnipeg.  A bunch of little jewels that I have yet to discover. 

That is what I choose to think but sadly I also have to face reality.  Horrific things that I would like to think only happens in large places in "the States" are happening here.  I have reluctantly accepted that we have a real methamphetamine crisis in the City.  It is not in certain areas, it is everywhere.  Theft, vandalism, and petty crimes doesn't surprise me.  The amount and the variety of guns and weapons that police seize still astounds me.  And, it seems endless.  I like to be naive and think those weapons are only south of our border. 

Yesterday, the Winnipeg Police made an arrest of a 27 year old female teacher and charged with providing minors with alcohol and sexual assault of a minor.  Police indicate that they are still doing interviews and more charges and more victims may be forth-coming.  The victim and the other presumed victims are all students of the teacher.  The gender of the victims is not being reported. 

What???? 

Teachers do the most important work in educating our next generation.  How dare one take advantage of even one teenager struggling with the confusion and uncertainty of adolescence.  How does one ever expect a victim to ever trust an authority figure? 

I know so many teachers that go above and beyond every day and take the responsibility of educating the future generation seriously and with honour. 

A teacher assaulting a student is unthinkable. 

Also, teaching jobs within the city are not easy to come by.  Most young teachers need to either go to rural Manitoba or serve time as a substitute.  The background checks and the interviewing process as well as becoming a teacher are difficult, as they should be.  We only want the best influencing our youth.  What went wrong in this situation? 

Often times, when things like this happen, people come forward and say I always knew something was off but I didn't say anything.  Obviously, this perpetrator slipped through the cracks somehow. 

Just really sad that it happened in Winnipeg so I have to face the reality that even though there are still many undiscovered jewels, there is also dark things happening. 

If you have a school age child in your life, give them a hug and assure them that you are always available to listen. 

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