Generally speaking, we have the good fortune to live in one of the most peaceful parts of the planet. We are among the world’s most privileged people in terms of the opportunities available to us to learn, to be healthy, to find work, to raise families in a safe environment, to have recourse to impartial justice, and to have a say in how we are governed and by whom, all without risk to our well-being, without discrimination, without fear of violence.
While this is true for most of us here in the Pontiac and across Canada, it is not true for all of us. There are efforts here and around the world to divide people on the basis of age, language, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, affluence, education, nationality, political views and just about any and every point of difference you can think of. Over the course of centuries, it has proven to be a fairly easy way to build a political career, typically employed by would-be leaders who really have no compelling vision to offer, nothing uplifting or inspirational to say that might propel them to office. And it always leads to disastrous outcomes.
Building social cohesion is harder work. It means not just talking about justice but making sure it happens. It means ensuring that people throughout society have access to educational opportunities, to apply for jobs they feel they have a fair shot at getting, voice to express their aspirations and their needs without reprisal, to vote in elections they feel are fairly run, to move through society without fear of arbitrary or discriminatory treatment.
Tragically, many on this planet are living the consequences of the quest for power by tyrants. Even pondering such basic rights as we take for granted is far from their current concern with finding food for their children, a bandage for their injury, a place to shelter from the next drone assault.
At this time of year, we take stock of our own lot in life, feel gratitude for our privileges, and consider the work that remains to spread sanity and justice to more of the world’s people. There is much to do. There are many enormous challenges to face. But one philosophy holds that if we each do our own part to make our own little patch of the planet the best it can be, everything will turn out well. Brighten the corner where you are, is how one expression of this sentiment goes.
This is why newspapers, including this one, make a fuss about how local government conducts itself, and why we continue to press for greater transparency and accountability of the elected bodies that make decisions that will affect our future and our children’s futures.
We can all see the tremendous potential of our naturally beautiful, resource-rich Pontiac. If we are ever going to realize any significant portion of that potential in a way that will lift us from the lowest rungs of Quebec’s economic ladder and offer possibilities for our young people to live fulfilling lives and raise their families here, with access to good schools and health facilities, many here realize we will need to raise our game.
Our wish is that at this time of year, when we are able to step away however fleetingly from the pace and pressures of our daily lives, when we have a few quiet moments with our most cherished family and friends, that we think about what we can do to ensure continuing peace and prosperity in the lives of the people about whom we care most and dedicate ourselves to starting the new year with a conviction to see it through.
And we hope you will continue to look to this newspaper as a source of information about the challenges we must face the things we must do better and the many wonderful people, places and things happening in the Pontiac that promise a brighter future in the corner where we are.
To our readers and advertisers who make publishing a newspaper possible and worthwhile, the team here at THE EQUITY wishes you a peaceful and joyful Christmas.
