Readers following my blog lately will know that I’ve been commenting on two huge, powerful forces in the world right now — forces that intersect and are impossible to ignore: The pandemic and the recent flood of resistance to racism. The outrageous murder of George Floyd was the anti-racism flashpoint, but protestors worldwide have also…
Category: solidarity
Think local, shop local, buy local
This long-weekend Monday was spectacular weather-wise — the afternoon was pure sunshine. My partner, Penny, and I spent the entire afternoon on our back deck, and I enjoyed a very delicious, very cold Lonetree Apple-Peach Cider, straight from our freezer. Sipping my cider, I wondered what sort of a world we are now moving into…
Here’s to community groups growing stronger than ever!
The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences, but perhaps one of the least recognized ones is its impact on the many groups and associations vital to our communities. Think of the very active residents’ associations, like the ones in Kitsilano, False Creek and Strathcona; Girl Guides and Scouts; the chess clubs, dance groups and…
Coronavirus: Being careful? You’re caring!
It seems like nothing but COVID-19 is in the news today. At the top of every newscast we get another update and, more often than not, at least half of the news segment features more coronavirus developments. Finally, the World Health Organization has declared it’s a pandemic. The WHO also says it’s seeing “alarming levels…
How would you feel about heating your lunch next to a toilet?
The labour dispute has been happening for more than three weeks now, and it’s going to escalate further next week with three days of full shutdown. So far, bus routes and SeaBus sailings have been affected. Soon, we will find out if SkyTrain is, too. But I’m happy to tell you that HandyDART is not…
A Made-in-Canada Green New Deal
We’ve heard a lot in the news lately about the Green New Deal being brought forward in the States by people like the popular Democrat Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Now there’s also a Green New Deal for Canada. But what exactly does this mean? To start, we’re all pretty clear about what needs to be done…
March 15 student strikes for climate action — join the rally as an ally!
I am very inspired by Greta Thunberg. She’s the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist who sat, alone, on the cobblestones of the Swedish parliament one Friday last August, demanding action on climate change. She’s sat there almost every Friday since — in rain, sun, ice and snow — inspiring a worldwide movement of student action. Last…