My Country

  There's been a lot of anger. 

People are nearing the end of their ropes and the actions of others are impacting our lives in ways never seen before. 

As I said yesterday, I love this country. I am proud to be Canadian. I am proud of the work we do as peacekeepers, we are known as the guys. Our world has gotten smaller as the internet has grown. Camera phones are everywhere and everything can be shared in an instant. The world is watching us. 

We need to stop picking up the worst parts of other cultures/countries and taking them as our own. Last year I watched in terror as the US capitol building was stormed. There is so much violence in the world already. There is so much fear. And fear is so closely tied with anger. Due to the increase in media of all kinds, and the proliferation of social media, in particular, we no longer listen to those who study and know. Instead, we listen to arguments we want to listen to. Ones that make us feel like we are right, no matter if the information itself is correct. 

Willful ignorance is at an all-time high and it shows. I believe that almost everyone is a good person. They want to do what is right. And I believe that these protestors believe that they are doing the right thing. I have to believe that. I don't want to think that there are parts of these groups that are there to push separate agendas. I know they are there though. I have seen the flags, I have heard some of them speak. 

I want to believe in the Canada I know. I want my children to feel pride in their country and its diversity. My stepdad came to Canada in the late '90s. He was born and raised in a communist country. He escaped and chose to come to Canada. To him, it was a place of hope and somewhere he wanted to build his life. He came here as a refugee and became a proud citizen not long after.  That is one of the things I love most about my home. People come here to be safe. 

The damage that this convoy is doing will be incalculable. Not just our national reputation externally, but for those of us that live here. Seeing a Canadian flag on the vehicle used to be a note of pride, not I worry that it's the sign of another type of less friendly pride. My country is a safe haven for those who need it. My country knows that we need to support people and communities at risk. My country has a ways to go when it comes to reconciling, and we know that. My country does not hate, my country is hopeful and looking towards the future. 

The world is watching us, and we need to think about what we want it to see. 

My favourite song of all time is Hallelujah. Whether it be Leonard Cohen's original. Or kd Lang's more popular cover. Or Rufus Wainwright's. The song is beautiful. It makes me proud to be Canadian. In a weird way. We as a country have given so much beauty to the world. Let's get back to that.