Personally, I can identify with John Tory. I have more in common with him than I have with the other mayoralty candidates. Thats why Im voting for Olivia Chow. Like John Tory Im a tall, reasonably good looking ;-), healthy, smooth-talking, well spoken, able bodied, white guy with a full head of hair. Like Tory I come from a family who has been in Canada for generations. (We never had the Tory family fortune) but I have been able to take for granted years of layer-upon-layer of benefits and privilege that comes from being a tall, well-spoken, white guy. John Tory knows what white privilege is, even if he says he doesnt. (Now please hear me in this. Im not saying that white people are better; but BEING white is clearly better - to quote Louis CK) I know that as a young person, I benefited from getting jobs because of family connections. I know that led to other benefits and opportunities. Just like John Tory. I know that as a smooth talking guy, there were lots of times I talked my way INTO good situations, or OUT OF bad situations, because I could talk. Just like John Tory. I know that because I am a smooth public speaker people tend to THINK Im smarter than I really am. I know this. (for those of you who have heard me talk, and still dont think Im very bright, just imagine how dumb I really am). I havent figured out how to change all that, and I know that I would have a hard time letting go of those benefits. They do make life more comfortable. Sure, like John Tory I have worked hard, but I know that Ive had things way easier than lots of people in this city; easier than lots of women, easier than people who learned English as a second language, or who came to this country from half way round the world, people who have to be twice as good at something before theyll get a chance, because of the way they look, their accent, their last name, or the colour of their skin. Ive had it easier than immigrants who are well-trained, highly skilled professionals who will never get that chance, but hope for something better for their children; who work two minimum wage jobs and just want to get home on the bus in time for dinner. Im not feeling all sad, or guilty, or ashamed. Im actually feeling hopeful. Hopeful that we could overcome our fear of four more years of the same thing all over again. That we could wake up from the sleep induced by smooth talking promises and do something surprisingly good. And vote for a new KIND of mayor. Im voting for a mayor who is different from all the service cutting, user-fee, access limiting, library-closing, gravy chasing, efficiency finding, subways-for-nothing, failed agenda of the last 4 years. Its not the crack-smoking media circus. Its the meagre, small-minded, FORD/TORY agenda. (We mustnt forget that Tory supported all the slash-and-burn, service cutting policies of the Ford brothers) Im voting for a mayor who will be a mayor for ALL the people of Toronto. Not JUST for me, and people just like me. Im voting for a mayor who will work with everyone ...and work for everyone. Im a lot like John Tory in lots of ways. And Im VOTING FOR OLIVIA CHOW!!!
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 21:48:43 +0000
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