H/t Greg Perry
I suspect the following letter by a young person expresses the angst of an entire generation:
I had hoped my final years in high school would go smoothly. But instead of stressing over university applications, I worry if it is even worth it to go through all this trouble.
Why should I study more and look for future career options when the world will crumble soon? When I receive my diploma and prepare for interviews, my window’s view will be of dying trees and collapsed houses.
It is not fair that I am compelled to strike for my time on Earth. It is not fair that I cannot even dream of a future without images of a dying home. It is not fair that my parents had the chance to bring me to this Earth, only to say goodbye together in a few year's time. I do not want to strike continuously for some higher official to just acknowledge the problem. I want them to see it and fix it.
Give me a chance. A chance to live and dream, without vivid images of organisms dying. No more is school my priority. My priority is just to have a chance to live until I reach my final years in life. That is all I want and that is not fair.
Zainab Muneer, Ajax
"Give me a chance." It couldn't be put more starkly, Lorne.
ReplyDeleteWe had a pretty good ride, Owen. Sadly, the same will not be said of those who follow us.
DeleteThat's what this election is all about, Lorne. This time we're voting for the kids, especially those who won't have a voice this time around or next and the kids who will follow them. When you see it in that perspective, voting Liberal or Conservative of, for that matter, NDP is to break faith with them. I can't do that anymore.
ReplyDeleteI can't either, Mound. I'm pleased to announce that I got my lawn sign for the Green Party this weekend.
Delete.. at risk of being 'devil's advocate' .. there are numerous ways to 'respond' to such a letter.. though its eloquent.. and blunt. And the comments are very valid. As I watched the talk talk of Trudeau water down, I was hardly impressed. I use the term 'glib' a lot and its never as a complement. The 'business career' Andrew Scheer spoke of as an insurance broker is revealed as a pricked balloon.. or an empty wet paper bag. He's a career insurance gopher turned political animal millionaire.. and welfare queen, he has no intention to 'give someone a break' other than himself. Singh.. the jury is out. I never liked how he became 'a leader' by excelling at harvesting retail NDP memberships via his south Asian heritage. Still waiting for an opportunity to meet our local Green candidate.. as that is who we might vote for. But open to hear all the candidates.. When is there a riding & community town hall style debate or exchange ?
ReplyDeleteI hear the plaint of the young letter writer.. I was once that kid.. or something resembling him.. as I had no visible mother or father from about age one. Was bullied.. by other students & even violent teachers. But I had advantages & many.. and they superceded the kinda weird start in life my sister and I had.. Our kids are going to have to 'seize more than the moment'.. they're going to have to treat the moment as a football.. and go the length of the field.. every day, all day.. and they need exemplars who can run like the wind too.. who are tireless.. and fair.. and observant.. and will not accept the horseshit salad being served by political animals.. sellouts, connivers, liars.. grifters
My hope for the future resides with the young, Sal. The sooner they make their powerful voices heard at the ballot box, the quicker their message to these conventional politicians, that their aphorisms and platitudes don't cut it, will be received. And what a better world will ensue, I hope.
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