It’s now been almost two weeks since the “Freedom Convoy” truckers and allies rolled into downtown Ottawa and started honking their horns, ostensibly to protest vaccine mandates. As Canadians know, many protesters left the area after that first weekend, but some are still there and still making noise. Well, not just noise, but according to…
Category: Politethics
Sometimes, you have to get to the nitty-gritty.
Dilovely’s New Year Questionnaire for 2021
Here we are! The fresh (2-week-old) new year of 2022! Off to a roaring start with Omicron. A friend of mine on Facebook was reflecting this New Year’s that at the end of 2020, we were so happy to see the year finish, full of hope for an end to the pandemic. Then, 2021 crushed…
Worrying about my unvaccinated friends
Since mass vaccinations against Covid-19 began this past spring, I’ve become aware of a small number of friends and family who remain unvaccinated by choice. Some I suspected would be, and some I was surprised about. At this point, I’m aware that the number of such folks might be considerably higher than I’d realized. Covid…
“Cancel Canada Day”: reflections on why we need this
It’s July 1st, otherwise known as Canada Day. This year, for the first time, Canadians are being asked not to celebrate it. Given the past few weeks, in which we’ve seen confirmation of hundreds and hundreds of dead Indigenous children buried in unmarked graves at residential school sites, the request not to celebrate is absolutely appropriate. As…
215 is actually a small numerator.
Dear vigil speakers, Thank you for speaking your truths to those of us gathered last night to honour the 215 children, victims of the residential school system, whose remains were found in Kamloops last week. There was so much bravery in the speaking of these truths. Whether you were an experienced speaker or not, whether…
A letter to party leaders about climate change
This climate change letter was sent to: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh Green Party Leader Annamie Paul Liberal MP Lloyd Longfield Dear fellow Canadians, This has been a year like no other, for all of us. You, the political leaders – particularly the Prime Minister – have been…
New Year’s Questionnaire for 2020: The Year The World Stood Still
It’s always fun to post a piece so late that it’s basically irrelevant… Sigh. (And this piece would still be waiting to be finished if it weren’t for the long dentist appointment the kids and I had last week that gave me an hour in which I couldn’t work on report cards.) At least I…
World Children’s Day – Gratitude Day 20
Today, on World Children’s Day, I’m grateful for the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I’m glad so many people agree that children have the right to a safe, happy, healthy childhood. I’m especially grateful to live and parent and teach in a…
Homelessness – Gratitude Day 15
Today was a rainy, chilly, blustery day where I live. I am so grateful for these walls, the fireplace, the furnace, the water heater, the stove, the blankets and warm clothes… All of it. On days when I don’t much want to hang out outside, I think of those people who don’t have homes, and…
Remembrance Day Reflections – Gratitude Day 11
I have been involved in organizing Remembrance Day assemblies at my school for long enough that I’ve lost count of how many years it’s been. It’s a day that has always meant a lot to me, and has always been an internal struggle as well. (As you already know, if you’ve been reading this blog…