I try very hard to modulate my 'voice' when I'm talking about things that might be....controversial...like politics.
But there comes a time when individuals need to stand up and speak out.
This year Canada faces a federal election. On the one side is the 'left' wing, currently holding parliament, and on the other side...a party I have no desire to see take the reins of power.
Given what is happening in so many countries around the world, I am going to be using my voice to speak up for people who are marginalized (not just because I am one of them now). I will from time to time allow my thoughts to appear here - a space that I have pretty steadfastly used to only talk about weaving - or my health which has a direct effect on my weaving.
Because truth be told, if the right wing takes power, my life will be radically changed, and not for the better.
I have been warned that some social media sites will censer or even censure me. So far Blogspot doesn't seem to be doing that, but it is a function of Google, so it may.
In an effort to maintain transparency, I fall on the 'liberal' quadrant of the political spectrum - have done since I was 16 and first took the 'test'. Checking on my attitudes several times over the years, I continue to fall on the same patch of 'left'ness.
So I'm not a 'radical' left leaning person, I'm more 'centre' leaning.
With the shenanigans that the US president is getting up to, directly threatening my country with 'annexation' I have joined a group of Canadians who are doing whatever they can to protect our country from such threats.
Over the weekend we took some hours to go through our pantry, examine our buying habits, then identifying US products we can replace with (hopefully) Canadian products - or any other country but the US. (Almost.)
This response to the tariffs which the president is applying, which *Canadians* do not pay, USians do, Canada is applying some targeted tariffs in return. But these tariffs have united our country in a way no other politician could have - there has been a personal response from the 'average' Canadian to do the same thing - adjust where they spend their money. Plus Canadians are cancelling trips to the US for holidays.
The popular support for the alt right wing politician who has spent the past 4 years telling the country that everything wrong with the world is the Liberal's fault, most especially PMJT's fault, has seen their support fall drastically in the past week. Will it stay there? Time will tell.
I will try to remember to label political posts with a Content Warning. I know that not everyone agrees with me, they are only here for the weaving content. That said, my classes on line (School of Sweet Georgia and Long Thread Media), my You Tube video clips, my books, all come with no political commentary whatsoever. But my core values are what make me the person I am. And during this scary and troubling times, my thoughts about politics *may* spill over here, in my blog.
Just saying...
Hi, Laura,
ReplyDeleteWestern Washington state citizen here. I totally agree and empathize with your concerns. Watching this administration's daily roll outs of chaos, fueled by greed, stupidity and selfishness, makes me sick to my stomach. It is scary and horrible and people were warned but did not listen. Just know that in many states the vote was very, very close, and, unfortunately, most citizens do not vote. 26% of the population does not represent the vast majority.
Just know that there are many, many people who do care and who are trying to do the right thing by preventing some of this madness from going through. There are so many more horrors than the tariffs - crack downs on immigration, gay and transgendered people, and, today, stopping aid to people around the world who need that aid. I worry that funding for researching, producing and distributing vaccines, for Covid and for our children, will disappear. I worry about our climate crisis. I worry about our most vulnerable citizens. The folks in charge do not care.
My strategy for getting through this has been to take very, very good care of myself. Part of that has been my weaving journey, acquiring a Swedish 10 harness loom, keeping my brain busy putting it together and figuring out how a countermarche works, and diving into 8 shaft weaving patterns. It has been a wonderful diversion.
But now it's time to get down to the real work.
THank you for your well considered thoughts. I and those I know are sick about what is happening. I wish that Canada would annex the west coast of the US, just Oregon (my state), Washington, and California. Every day is one blow after another. I hope that those who didn't vote and those who were on the fence but decided to believe that man's lies are resolving to pay more attention in future, assuming we don't lose our democracy. Hyperbole seems tame these days. We need to do more than march and protest but I'm not sure exactly what that means. Weaving is my diversion as well. It takes me away from the TV and the news.
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian living in the UK, I am sad, horrified and all the other words you can think of. Denigrating women, really anyone other than heterosexual men who want to be as rich as possible. Respect for law? Apparently the US Pres thinks that’s optional and no one wonders why the US has returned to its lawless roots. Attacking immigration when modern Canada used to pride itself on tolerance and multi nationalism. Denigrating science and health issues. I can’t watch the news anymore. Yes, let’s weave and knit and sew and cook and embrace our creativity. Please write about politics as it is such an important part of our lives.We have to comment and change the discussion. We are meant to look after each other and the earth, to cooperate, not to fight.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI am new to your world, having just been directed to seek you out because I've just purchased a floor loom. Anyway, I just want to say thank you for your willingness to speak up. As a woman living in SC in the USA, I am appalled by what is happening. Appalled that a convicted felon was elected, despite so much information that accurately spelled out exactly what would happen. Every day, we face a new assault on morality and intelligence. It is just so remarkably ridiculous and hurtful. So, thank you for stating so clearly how you feel about things. I know a lot of artisans of all types are afraid to put their cards on the table, so to speak. I understand but also, applaud those who do. We'll get through this. Thank goodness for weaving or I'd have no sanity left. But it's going to be a long road.