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Letter: In wake of Ottawa attack, beware anger, fear

Like many of you, I was shocked to hear of the violence in Ottawa on Oct. 22. I have friends who work on Parliament Hill and was relieved to read posts that they were safe. At the same time, I felt a pang of guilt knowing the pain Cpl.
Like many of you, I was shocked to hear of the violence in Ottawa on Oct. 22. I have friends who work on Parliament Hill and was relieved to read posts that they were safe. At the same time, I felt a pang of guilt knowing the pain Cpl. (Nathan) Cirillo’s friends and family would endure.

As a Canadian, I’m confused: Why would anyone want to harm us? Our country is so friendly that citizens from other countries sew our maple leaf on their backpacks when they travel. We’re so friendly that, in 2001, when planes were being used to create terror in New York, Canada allowed 255 US-bound aircraft to be diverted from the US to our airports.

I can’t understand why this would happen. I’m bewildered, frustrated, offended, angry, insulted, and filled with rage. As Canadians, we typically don’t wear our pride on our sleeves. Instead, we keep our Canadian pride nestled close to our hearts. As a result, this attack at our Nation’s capital has become an attack on our values; a betrayal of our friendliness; and a shock to our culture.

However, what is bothering me more than the bloodshed, panic, confusion and shock is how quickly rage seems to open the door towards racism. I understand the desire to lash out in an attempt to harm the gunman. However, I am cautious of defining a culture by the actions of an individual.

I’m reminded that I have brothers and sisters in the union movement who have skin darker than my own. I also have Muslim friends and neighbours. And, when I hear the slurs directed at the gunman in Ottawa, I can’t help but feel it splash onto the innocent others because of their looks, clothing or beliefs.

And because of this, I urge us to be cautious. I urge us to recognize that there are those who will use the fuel of our anger to manipulate our actions. I urge us to remember the final words of the greatest prime minister that never was, Jack Layton. “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.”

Jamie West
President, Sudbury & District Labour Council