Filed under: Ethiopia | Tags: Courage, Hope, Inspiration, Jack Layton, Justice, Love, NDP, Politics
23 August, 2011
I had a pretty good day yesterday. I attended useful and interesting meetings, ate healthy food, had a good day at the gym and had a productive day at work. On the way home, I stopped into an internet cafe and checked my Facebook.
Jack Layton had died of prostate cancer.
I knew he had been sick. I had followed the conversation as his opponents attacked the NDP for appointing a rookie MP to lead the party while he sought treatment. But dead? No. He can’t be dead. Not Jack. Not dead.
Jack Layton was the leader of a political party. He will be remembered, in part, for leading that party to unprecedented successes. But for myself, and I’m sure for millions of other Canadians, Jack Layton was so much more.
Some Canadians believe that a society is measured by how it treats its weakest citizens. It is easy to cast judgement and condescension on the poor, the dirty, the criminal and the outcast. It is much more difficult to empathize with them, to hold their hands and to listen to their stories. The benefits to seeing, recognizing, accepting and loving the beautiful human being behind the poverty, anger and filth are beyond the power of words to describe. When one stops holding oneself above another person, no matter their condition, their behaviour or their past, and sees them as an equal – a brother or sister who is suffering – the beauty in their eyes quickly becomes apparent. Seeing the beauty and recognizing the human being, love quickly conquers condemnation. The desire to support them and help them to find happiness and hope comes to the fore. Caring then becomes easy.
Jack Layton cared. He dedicated his life to fighting for those people who society had rejected. He fought for the homeless, crusading tirelessly to create a more supportive system and compassionate culture for those unable to care for themselves. He fought for the poor, using what power he had to save them a few dollars here or there, knowing well how much a bus fare costs to a widow barely surviving on welfare. He fought for those whose gender identity didn’t match the societal norm, creating a more inclusive system and a more tolerant society. He fought for the criminal, choosing to empower their future potential rather than to criticize their past mistakes. He fought for compassion. He fought for tolerance. He fought for hope. He fought for love.
For those of us who believe that the greatness of Canada is measured by our goodness, rather than by our wealth, Jack Layton was our ambassador. He gave a voice – a powerful and passionate voice – to the cause of equality and justice. He gave us a vision to support, a human being to connect with and an idea to believe in. To taught us to believe in ourselves, and to fight and to fight and to fight through opposition and adversity and loss, and to keep on fighting until the fight is won. He gave us hope. He gave me hope.
Though I’ve never voted for the NDP, yesterday I lost my leader. Politics are an extension of human values, and in dedicating his life to the greatest of human values – compassion, generosity and love – he inspired me. He inspired me to stand up for my values, to speak up for what I believe is right and to never, ever back down. Though I met the man only once, and only briefly, he changed my life forever.
Thank you, Mr. Layton, for giving us a cause, a vision and a voice. Though our nation and our lives are now darker in your absence, your legacy and light live on in the hearts and minds of every Canadian who believes that goodness conquers greed, and that love conquers all. We will carry on. We will not give up. We will emerge victorious. Thank you, Mr. Layton. Thank you, and farewell.
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Jack claimed he beat the prostate cancer, but had a new one …wouldn’t say what it was, but from his looks and the speed of it I would suspect something like pancreatic cancer, or even liver.
Comment by BMB August 23, 2011 @ 7:42 amLayton’s passion and commitment to a better Canada reminds me of Tommy Douglas. I love his Mouseland story. Take a minute to listen if you’ve never heard it before.
Link: http://archives.cbc.ca/politics/parties_leaders/topics/851-4958/
Comment by Dave A. August 23, 2011 @ 8:32 amAlthough I disagreed with many of his policies (mostly economic), you have to respect the guy for following his values and beliefs … which is MUCH more than you can say for the Liberals … unless of course your only values and beliefs are to get elected.
He served his country well …
Comment by Whitey August 27, 2011 @ 8:40 am