This year,
let us observe and commemorate,
but also rail at hatred in all its forms.
Let us join together
against this rising tide
of phobias and —isms,
hates and schisms,
and not let it overrun
all that we hold dear.
And on this day,
as we highlight our diversity
and celebrate our values and our norms,
let’s take time to pause
and remember those fallen from our cause:
the Indigenous children lost in school atrocity,
the Muslim family murdered on our city street,
the Black teen with a knee upon his neck,
Jews harassed and hit,
and Asians who were sworn and spit,
and many, many more.
Let us stand and shout
and call it out
for what it is
and say,
Hate has no place here today.
Let us not be complacent, but concerned,
not condone, but condemn,
not silent, but outspoken,
and be intolerant of intolerance itself.
For woven in the fabric
of our collective DNA,
we must remember and insist
that most of us were once
those strangers in our midst.
And teach our kids about our differences,
see others as our sisters and our brothers,
our cousins and our mothers,
and dedicate ourselves to learn.
This year,
let us bring compassion, justice, and Shalom
into Canada, our home,
and pray to find a way to lend a hand,
to live together in harmony
on this, our Maker’s land.
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Larry, you have captured a true in depth picture at what segments of our society have today become. With your words you have made the darkness come to light for all to see. Hopefully, working together, we can take positive actions to forge a better future for generations to come.
Wow Larry! so well said. That should become our national anthem!
Thank you for this, Larry. You are able to say what many of us are feeling. There has to be a better way for us all to live together.
Shalom