It’s an old adage. We take in news of Ukraine, Gaza, Trumpism and we learn as much as we can about the issues most relevant to us. At home, we focus on reducing conflict between neighbours, caring about human rights for the unhoused in our community, eliminating arrogance and stupidity in our locally elected representatives.
The key in all of this is to care personally. That is the spark that drives people to act and change things for the better, whether it be human rights, global security, or ethical governance.
“Pick your hill on which to die,” is the old rallying cry of the military. It stated that you were willing to die for your family, beliefs, or country. So, what’s your hill? Mine globally is Gaza – a two state solution with equal defense capabilities for both states, and Ukraine – a complete withdrawal of Russian occupying forces from any seized territories, including the post-Olympics Crimea snatch when the world fell asleep.
Locally, it would be the recovery of responsible democracy in the age of Doug Ford’s Strong Mayors. In particular, the saving of Swan Lake, 0 Shaw’s Creek Road, Caledon. The relationship between developer’s interests and money can quickly corrupt local political decisions, like let’s change the by-laws to permit excess soil dumping in the freshwater lake of a fully rehabilitated former gravel pit.
Some things are global catastrophes. Some are local disasters. Let’s start at home and save Swan Lake. The way I see it
We know something is horribly out of balance, but how do we respond? It really depends on how comfortable we are. Or how informed we are. Here in Canada many of us live in a fairy tale. Home, food and water, shelter, sex, and a little time for arts and entertainment. For many it is a daily search for sustenance. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If you don’t have the basics met, you don’t get to pass Go and collect your (in 1950’s Monopoly terms) $200.00.