Editor:
I am beyond heartbroken with the result of the presidential elections in the U.S. My partner and I immigrated to Canada after the second Bush election and naively I thought that was as bad as it could get down there. Sadly, I was wrong. With the presidency, Congress and soon to be Supreme Court, the far right has the keys to the kingdom now. It has been made clear that it’s the intention of this new regime that reproductive rights, gay rights, environmental laws and regulations, financial regulations and consumer protection will be destroyed. A Pandora’s box of racism and sexism towards minorities, immigrants and women has been openly endorsed and sanctioned.
I guess my point in this letter is to express my gratitude for Canada and its people. I am not naive enough that I don’t see its faults but from my perspective, by comparison, decorum, respect and humanity for others are still valued and actively strived for in this country.
The last 11 years here have been enlightening and remarkable. Mostly the people I have encountered have been open, kind-hearted and respectful. Every day I think about this and know that it is not something that can be taken for granted! As we are witnessing, not just in the United States but around the world, this fear of the “other” can take root. There are those people with moneyed interest and people in power who know this. By stoking the rhetoric and propaganda, our humanity can get lost under a blanket of that fear. When people are frightened they can be controlled and exploited. History has taught us this time and again. I do not know what is going to happen south of the border but I do know that the deeper the wounds and the perceived divide, the harder it will be to heal.
As I am now a proud Canadian citizen I would like to say thank you. May we all have the courage to continue to keep opening our hearts and minds.
Sandy Beresford, Halfmoon Bay
