I have been talking politics with different people a lot lately. It is usually so difficult to get on the topic because you know that you are going to hear things that you don’t want to and discuss with people that have very opposite views to yourself. The challenge is worth it though because it applies to everyone, there isn’t an aspect of politics that is not personal, and discussing different opinions and their origins creates the connections with all facets of our daily lives.
I remain hopeful, even when I get into a heated discussion with someone who finds the political chaos in Syria as unimportant since it doesn’t apply to them personally. I try to impart to them that those people could easily be them or someone they know, that their struggles are worthy of knowing of and talking about. There is no “us” and “them”, especially in a University setting these issues need to pulled and stretched out, examined and even argued over. It is not better to be ignorant or pretend that the world we see around us, the peace we take for granted is in isolation. We need to get passionate, get irate over the inequalities and suffering in the world, whether its on the other side of the planet or in our own province.
I recently had a conversation with someone who blanked out while I rattled off the military in Syria going into hospitals and killing protestors, about a woman being forced to marry her rapist in Afghanistan, more social programs being cut in Canada, these events are not separate from us, we should care. The person I was talking to didn’t want to hear about the darkness of humanity. It definitely would be easier if we could live in our own worlds of day to day with our own troubles and only those close to us but that’s not all that affects us. There can be no change, even the smallest, if we don’t truly care about people that we don’t even know. The argument that “those are their issues and we shouldn’t get involved” is void of compassion and hope. It may not be the most positive of topics; it might break your heart and bring down the mood in a conversation. I am not saying that you should talk about it ALL the time. Even if you are just thinking about how you can be the change and create awareness on a certain issue. There are problems in the world that a handful of people can’t fix but by creating awareness you are contributing to a better world.
There is a wonderful event taking place tonight that you should all tell your friends and family members about. December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. They died because they were women.
As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6th represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.This years event will be taking place at the Army, Navy & Airforce (359 1st Avenue North) at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments and cake will be served.
I hope to see you there!
Ashley
