“It feels like we blew up the Death Star!”
This was my Facebook status just after the 2015 election.
I am proud to support the inspired, nerdy upstarts who inexpertly took over care of the neglected province we were. The NDP dedicated several policies to furthering reconciliation and improving the lives of First Nations. I did the work of following their actions.
I think we can better handle this recession with the government we have rather than a government that will put up our province for sale, protect the wealthy, cut off services to the rest of us, and implement bigoted policies.
I am thankful for the many progressive, humanitarian and otherwise wonderful people I’ve met who support my views.
But in that Facebook status I was smug and contemptuous, and I guiltily admit it.
And I regret that because of difference in viewpoints, I distanced myself from people that belong to this province as much as I do.
No party has a magic wand that will fix everything, and I don’t feel comfortable with the politics of division.
I am not anti-oil or anti-industry because I want diverse, green industries, or because I want to conserve and protect our resources. I was raised on paycheques from Alberta oil and pulp.
I am not hyper-sensitive because I respect the needs of our multi-cultural and diverse gendered society. Identity is important.
I am not of loose morals because I believe women have the right to choose. This isn’t the 1800s.
I am not “reverse racist” (an invalid term) because I want to forward the urgent needs of the First Nations population. We have a special status that deserves to be prioritized.
People from everywhere developed this province. They endured poverty we will never know: hardship and sacrifice. All Alberta’s ‘advantages’ come from other people’s taxes and hard work.
I don’t mind doing my share now.
I read these amazing words by Richard Wagamese in his book, Embers (2016): “If you receive others as worthy, lovable, spiritual creations-perfect just the way they are-you get to see the highest possible version of who you are. You get to be that. Experience that. And you become a gift to the world”.
We are gifts to each other. People are the solution to everything, not political parties. Ease up a bit on the hatred, fear, and hostility.
(All the same, I had R2 prepare my escape pod in case, you know, the empire strikes back).
Charity Jardine is a former teacher who loves to sort out the world’s problems while she sews or beads. Once she is at home at the lake it is prodigiously difficult to get her away from it.
