My husband, William and I, had been involved with the Bring Q to PG campaign over the last few months. This campaign, started by our local CBC Radio One station, was a campaign to convince Jian Ghomeshi to bring his internationally renowned radio show Q to Prince George for the Canada Winter Games next year. In the wake of the recent allegations about Jian Ghomeshi's horrific behaviour and the willingness of Canadian actress Lucy DeCoutere to publically add her name to the list of Jian Ghomeshi's accusers, we have been left feeling weird about our involvement in the campaign.
I know that I shouldn't feel bad about supporting Jian Ghomeshi before the allegations came to light because I didn't know he was going to be accused of beating and attacking women. I am an avid listener of the CBC and the show Q is on five days a week at a regular time. Listening to Jian Ghomeshi on Q was a part of my day. He had fantastic interviews with interesting and crazy people and he always had good music and great live shows. I was introduced to many bands, books and movies from listening to Q. For the most part, the show was fun and, as a listener, it felt like Jian Ghomeshi was a Canadian success story. While listening to the show, he made you feel like you knew him and that you were friends.
That is what makes this situation so awful. I could not have been more shocked when the Ghomeshigate news broke than if it was revealed that Stuart McLean murdered kittens. I mean, no one would believe that either. Stuart McLean wouldn't murder kittens. We wouldn't believe that even if there was a viral YouTube video that clearly showed Stuart McLean killing fluffy, little kittens.
Two weeks ago, I was excited that I was going to be able to meet Jian Ghomeshi and hear him speak in person. Now, I am embarrassed that I ever listened to him. Maybe next time that my husband and I get involved in a campaign, it won't end up with us having to return generously donated Welcome to PG gift basket items in a prolonged walk of shame.
At least we still have Stuart McLean.
