We must stop throwing rocks at those we don’t agree with

By Letter to the Editor on September 24, 2019.

Last week Time Magazine sparked another political brouhaha when it printed a 2001 picture of Justin Trudeau in costume with his face and hands blackened with makeup. I’m not condoning what Trudeau did, nor justifying his actions in the least. Was it poor judgment? Of course. Was it malicious intent? Who knows?

We’ve all done things we could be called out for by someone of a different ethnicity, religion, ideology, political bent, lifestyle or temperament – insensitive comments, misguided judgments, driving styles or running our sprinklers during a rainstorm.

The problem is pictures like Trudeau’s cause an uproar and take the focus away from a growing list of issues. Yes, we need to address racism in our country. And joblessness, drug overdoses, crowded schools, struggling families, homelessness, rising college tuitions and soaring health costs to name a few.

These are problems that can’t be solved by one person, or even one party. At some point we have to stop pointing fingers and get serious about finding solutions. Take the best ideas, regardless of their origin, and put them into practice. We have to stop throwing rocks at those we don’t agree with and start building bridges for the betterment of everyone.

Kerry Bennett

Medicine Hat

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