Dateline Explores Nygard

 


Through the power of the internet, I was able to watch Dateline: The Secrets of Nygard Cay this afternoon.  The best thing about watching this online was that I did not have to watch any commercials just the same promotion for tonight's SNL.  Kate McKinnon is back tonight and Billy Eilish will be both host and musical guest.  I was very happy watching this promo over and over again.  

Other than that, I didn't learn much new information.  A trail of broken lives and deep wounds.  Visible scars and invisible scars.  

I don't know if it is a positive or negative that Nygard has risen to a level of cringeworthiness that attracts interest from one of the major networks in the US.  To be fair to anyone trying to tell the Nygard story, it is a daunting task.  This guy is 80 after all and he has been a full-on creep for all of his adult life. 

His life is complex as he is more than just an alleged sexual predator.  More than just an alleged sex trafficker.  More than just an alleged absentee or abusive father.  More than just an alleged monster boss.  More than just the head of an alleged corrupt business.  More than just a white privileged male with alleged anger management issues.  More just a petty litigator.  In summary, just a despicable human being in every aspect of his life.  There is a lot to unpack.  

And, sadly, it is likely the financial corruption charges which will be his ultimate downfall.  But, at least he is now living his worst life.  Disgraced, jailed, impoverished, unattractive, powerless.  It is just sad that, since he is 80, his suffering won't be long enough.  

And, there is the rub.  How was he able to get away with so much for so long.  Two of his sons were part of the Dateline episode.  I have heard that some of his children have even more horrific stories.  Apparently, most of Winnipeg knew of his alleged crimes for decades yet nothing was done.  Granted, it is a complicated story with many layers and one of those layers is that Nygard had money and perceived power and connections so he was able to shut down scandal for a long time.  

Of all the things I have heard about Peter Nygard, no one has ever called him brilliant.  Yet, for him to perpetrate his alleged crimes required the assistance of many people.  A lot of people knew a lot of things yet a lot of things continued to happen.  And even more people were close enough to suspect a lot of things were happening. 

There was a powerful statement in the episode.  One of the alleged victims was asked one of the questions that is often asked, "why didn't you tell anyone?"  The alleged victim said, "that seems like an easy question to answer, but it is not."  I certainly understand that.  Everyone lives a complicated truth.  

It seems that Nygard was able to exploit a network of the vulnerable all of which lived a complicated truth.  There rarely is ever a yes/no answer to any question.  Usually, an answer to one question just leads to more questions.  

There will be no charges from the Winnipeg Police Department resulting from their most recent three year investigation.  Again, it is complicated.  

Regardless, Nygard is now and forever will be powerless.  That may not be much but it is something and it may mean that many people will have a chance to heal and move forward.  Some of them using a public platform and some of them privately.  

And although the Nygard case seems to now be attracting international media attention, in Winnipeg, we have already heard too much about him.  Winnipeg, it seems, has already moved on from him.  

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 th...
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 w...
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 pic...
Read more