I have been growing weary of this mocking by people who are concerned with things that I don't understand. I'm at once too old to listen to it, and too young to ignore it completely. At times I have just wanted to retreat into writing, and leave the public - the actively outward - part of my life behind. Indeed, while I walked on the Camino, I struggled with exactly this.
I read a letter from Jack Layton to his fellow Canadians today. When I was in law school, I recall reading a very early Charter case involving Jack Layton and the right to protest. I can't find the case right now - I'll have to go back into my archives to remember what exactly it was about. I should remember these things.
Layton should be thanked and remembered for his hope in the face of death and his wish for a country for my children that would cling to, and return to, the fundamental principles of democracy. The Charter is important. The rule of law is important. Canadians would do well to try to understand how these things work in practice, and what exactly it is that they protect.
It is relatively easy to live encased in concrete here in Canada, separate and apart from needing one's fellow humans most of the time. But anyone with an understanding of history knows that this is an odd state of affairs. Generally, humans have needed each other day to day, far more than this. We likely will need each other again at some future point.
If and when it comes time for the tide to turn, Canadians can now reach for this:
My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.
Jack Layton
