By now it ought to be obvious that I don't really sympathize with the idea of "trigger warnings" and other jargon around sensitivity, let alone the pseudo-philosophies that give rise to such concepts.
Yet, given the recent events in Fort McMurray and how closely tied many people in our own city are with that city, I feel it necessary to warn everyone that I am about to make some political statements about political statements made about Fort McMurray and the fire.
I've written the above exception to my rule because there are several people who live here, or are closely associated with others, who are at their wits end. After the oil crash, after the endless fury against getting Alberta's oil to tidewater, the fire really is a kick in the pants while one is already down - and exponentially so if one has lost any property to the inferno. For the sake of these folks, I offer the advice that if you're already hurting, this article might not be very helpful.
All of you hitherto having been forewarned, let me say something that's been on my mind since the first "this tragedy goes beyond politics" post I read on social media: while I really want to believe that, I don't think it's true at all, because everything gets politicized.
The Fort McMurray fire is a tragedy, and let us not forget that the Peace region is still threatened as well. But after all the prayers and well wishes, after all the congratulations to the brave men and women fighting these fires or helping evacuees, and after all the donations, will we really rebuild Fort McMurray together, in a bipartisan fashion? Or will it become part of a party slogan, a talking point used to attack one's opponent, or the subject of a "better tomorrow" ad?
I say all this before the dust quite settles because plenty of political statements about the fire have already been made, some of them falsely neutral, others overtly partisan and purposely hurtful. And I fully admit that this has been happening on either side of the spectrum, as crazy leftists go on about "climate Karma" and nutbar right wingers claim that Trudeau and Notley set the fires themselves, either literally or through gross negligence. It's all quite disgusting.
But comforting as it would be to say that this is "beneath us as Canadians," the fact is that our political culture, as individuals and even entire agencies, did in fact create these statements.
That is something that ought to give us all pause for thought: in the midst of a tragedy that threatened thousands of lives in our own borders, and cost thousands all their possessions, many people simply saw an opportunity to score political points. That's the definition of wickedness.
It is tempting to cast blame as to who started us down this road of inhuman political discourse. But let us instead do the grown up thing and not pay these attitudes any mind except to tell them they are not welcome. Let us resolve to rebuild Fort McMurray not from political expediency, but because it is right and just to give our hurting, fellow Canadians back their homes and livelihoods.
Put simply, let us do unto others as we would hope they'd do unto us.
