Even in his darkest hour, Jack Layton is inspiring.
The NDP leader’s persistent determination and optimistic outlook makes one want to believe that even he, the man who finally brought his party into official opposition status, will overcome one of the human race’s most vexing diseases. Anyone who has looked a dying cancer patient in the face can immediately recognize that Layton is now in for the fight of his life.
Greater Sudburians can easily count themselves among his thousands of well-wishers — not just because it is the thing to do, but because it is a natural reaction to want to return the good will that was extended to our community by this political party. Just ask anyone involved with the most recent mining strike about the support picketers received on the front lines from NDP brass. Strikers said they appreciated the support shown by NDP leaders who took the time to visit the picket lines — even if it didn’t amount in tangible results. The fact is the effort was made, support was given ... and at election time, this effort was not forgotten.
And so the same applies now for us and Jack Layton. All the good wishes in the world may not help him, as he moves forward on the next leg of his life journey. Support is what he needs right now — something that our Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and Layton’s political foe, was swift to offer up in response to the announcement that he would be temporarily stepping down as the NDP leader. Harper’s message was clear: Layton’s courage, hope and determination is encouraging.
Political analysts commented in the lead-up to the May 2 Federal election that Harper’s worst fear was that Layton — sometimes called a madman by his detractors — would become even more of a force in the House of Commons. Now the observation could be made that Harper’s worst fear will be that Layton may become a martyr to something larger than what goes on in the political arena.
Layton’s stepping-down speech on Monday was a battle cry and a reminder of why we’re all here, toiling on this planet.
“We can look after each other better than we do today,” said the ailing Layton, who, just a few months ago, led the NDP to official-opposition standing in the House of Commons.
“We can have a fiscally responsible government. We can have a strong economy; greater equality; a clean environment. We can be a force for peace in the world ... And we will work with Canadians to build the country of our hopes, of our dreams, of our optimism, of our determination, of our values ... Of our love.”
As it was so well stated in an opinion piece in Tuesday’s edition of the Montreal Gazette, “if anything good comes of this misfortune that has befallen (Layton), it will be that it focuses greater attention on the continuing ravages of cancer in the population and puts a familiar and compassionate face on the fight against it.”
Greater Sudbury’s Myra Gerow, would agree whole-heartedly. Gerow, who sadly lost her battle to cancer on July 8, was the embodiment of grace under fire — a woman who embraced her community and continued to give of herself, provide leadership and inspire hope in others — even as she faced her life’s greatest obstacle. Her story can be found on page 10 of this issue of Northern Life.
Layton’s story is still unfolding. There were many people who were all too ready to write his political obituary.
They were dead wrong. People like Gerow and Layton are larger than life — and challenge us to embrace the philosophy that, together, we can become greater on so many different levels.
Wendy Bird is managing editor of Northern Life.
-Posted by Heather Green-Oliver
