The vast majority of us get along with our neighbours Dutch historian Rutger Bregman is very good at asking questions and challenging deeply held beliefs. Many, for example, assume that humans are violent creatures out to destroy one another. In times of crisis, according to this narrative, we will cry out, “Every man for himself!”…
It doesn’t matter. The essence of his message is that we must all live with integrity There is an interesting online debate taking place as to whether Jesus of Nazareth was a socialist or a capitalist. Some of the arguments are rather thought-provoking, but others are just silly. For example, a commentary on the PragerU…
While no one person has the answers, each of us plays our part in solving life’s mysteries The American rapper GZA hit the nail on the head when he said, “Live a life full of humility, gratitude, intellectual curiosity, and never stop learning.” This is one of the greatest keys to happiness. No person has…
But until all wounds caused by genocide are healed, we cannot be satisfied On October 27, a motion was unanimously passed in the Canadian Parliament recognizing what happened in Canada’s Indian Residential Schools as genocide according to Article II of the United Nations Genocide Convention. It should be noted that this is a culmination of…
There is a difference between being in a position of power and being a leader It is difficult to identify a world leader who has not betrayed their integrity for the sake of wealth and power. The sanctity of human life apparently means nothing to these people, and it has become more important for them…
But our leaders are failing us, and they are putting all of our lives at risk
We are potentially living in the most dangerous time in history since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The world owes a great deal to American President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev who were able to back away from global nuclear destruction during that crisis through skillful negotiation. Reflecting on the event…
Russia continues to deny the Holodomor; Turkey continues to deny the Armenian genocide
The world is facing trying times. How did we get here? Did we not learn anything from the death and destruction of the 20th century? Jewish philosopher Martin Buber told us, “One gains power over the nightmare by calling it by its real name.” Another Jewish writer, Raphael Lemkin, coined the name for the nightmare:…
For far too long, the narrative of the people in power was believed
There is an interesting phenomenon happening in the world. The quest for truth is gaining momentum, and it cannot be stopped. In Canada, a great deal of credit must be given to Indigenous leaders, scholars, and community members, but especially to the witnesses of genocidal practices who shared their stories. For far too long, the…
Candidates do not tend to have corporate sponsorships nor to conform to the wishes of political parties
On average, fewer people vote in local elections than in provincial or federal elections. Interestingly, each vote has a greater impact in local elections, especially in smaller communities. There is more to this phenomenon than numbers and proportions. Local governments not only respond to the input of their constituents on local issues, but school council…
CNN's Don Lemon got a history lesson on slavery recently. But it does not negate the need for the Royal Family to pay reparations
A very interesting video has gone viral that supposedly humiliates CNN reporter Don Lemon. Lemon is essentially a corporate mouthpiece, but this time he poses a legitimate question by asking a spokesperson for the British Crown about reparations for colonialism. He queries why some people remain obscenely wealthy in Great Britain while the vast majority…