Where is the country I love going?

There’s been so much going on in the media lately and I haven’t had the time to write any blogs, so when it came time to sit down and hash something out I didn’t even know where to begin.

Today more than ever we have access to information that could benefit the world, strengthen communities and society, as well as empower people to bring positive change to areas where we see grave injustices.

After all, you can strengthen your knowledge to the level of university grads simply by going online and accessing thousands of free textbooks.

The only problem is that people do not seem to be taking advantage of the information and instead blindly follow the firsthand account of certain situations, or blindly spread stories written in satire as truths.

Let’s face it, humans at times are nothing close to rational and when something impacts an aspect of our lives that we are passionate about some have a tendency to be blinded from the fact and become part of the ignorant heard.

From Jian Ghomeshi, to the shootings in Ottawa, as far as I’m concerned these situations presented an opportunity for us to discuss the shortcomings of our society and the culture in which we live. Instead, it turned into a crusade with only one side of the story being heard, and the blinding ignorance and racism of a country that claims to be among the best.

Perhaps it’s because I am a journalist that I have the rationale to wait for the facts to come out, or to see things for how they are and not use it to fuel a racial or institutional wars.

Current events over the last two weeks have been a drain on my faith in humanity, and not necessarily for the reasons you would think. With all the tragedy that has occurred and the shocking news released it is the reactions of my fellow Canadians that has me seeing the worst side of our society.

From stacking the cards against possible victims, to racially charged hatred against innocent people, these are not things that most people associate with Canadians… or is it just we don’t associate that with ourselves.

I think sometimes Canada can have a bit of an ego when it comes to how the world perceives us, especially when you compare it to how the United States is viewed. But how much longer will that last?

More and more we are becoming a society in line with that of the United States. From pop culture to a lack of concern for the environment and the false sense of Canadian culture that seems to turn everyday citizens into racists. I think at this rate it’s only a matter of time before Canada and Canadian have a new meaning within the global community.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

As Canadians and members of North America, we live in a society where we have every opportunity to better our lives and the way in which we see the world around us.

As I write this blog I have under my fingertips the ability to access a world of information and strength that others could only dream of…. as do all others who have access to computers and the Internet, whether it be at home or at the library.

Today is the day where we have the opportunity set down our blinded hatred and naive judgment and make a name for ourselves as to what we want Canadians to continue to be known as, and what I hope we will continue to strive for.

A country where people have the chance to reach for their dreams and goals, a country where people are free to be themselves and a country that is safe from persecution.

Let’s not drive those ideals into the ground and become fear mongering sociopaths with a false sense of entitlement and oversized ego.

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. ― Martin Luther King Jr.