Reply To: On Tyranny Lesson 4: Take responsibility for the face of the world
Recently a group of residents in my own small town spoke out at a community council meeting against the building of a 19 bed proposed Addiction Treatment Centre. They agreed that it is needed and a good idea in theory, but they didn’t want it our neighbourhood claiming it would lower property values and endanger citizens. I also saw the same scenario play out on the news with a group of people in Vancouver demonstrating against proposed low income rental housing being built in their area. I wrote a letter in support of the local project here which was read out at the meeting. This “us” and “them” and “not in my neighbourhood” rhetoric is what leads to the beginning of the break down of social justice values. It sows the seeds of hate.
I believe we must each speak out in our own communities and do what we can to bond together in a shared humanitarian response to suffering in our own personal communities, and in the world. We must fight with tenacity and strength, and we must not be silent when we see wrongs being committed. I am happy to say the proposed Addiction Recovery centre was approved and passed unanimously by our council. One small victory at a time.
Words can be hurtful and cause great pain. They can maim and fuel anger. They can lead the hearers and readers into acts of violence and selfishness. Perhaps it’s impossible to fully comprehend others unless our own way of living has become exposed and vulnerable. Most of us fear the unknown. In the wake of human trauma and life struggles we can only develop a greater sense of affinity and empathy when we open our minds to a broader acceptance of our shared humanity. To relay this to people like Trump, Musk and their Maga minions with their warped values may seem like an exercise in futility, but we must not stop trying and thwarting their plans in every way we can.
