Monday, June 13, 2005

A Revelation

Since my last post, not much has happened in the nieghbourhood regarding the skinheads. The crappy weather we have been having seems to be keeping everyone in doors. However, this past Saturday, our neighbourhood had their annual street party. It was a study in contrasts.

On one end of the street, you had a group of VERY disgruntled, angry skinheads drinking beer in their front yard. They were glowering at the other end of the street, where the festivities highlighted Afro-Caribbean music, First Nations hoop dancing and a veritable cornucopia of multicultural hanging out.

I was a afraid that they might try to insight a riot or at least make a spectacle of some kind. However, they did nothing. Then it dawned on me. Of course they aren't doing anything. There are 8 of them and hundreds of us. Here I have been watching them, fearing the impact they could have on the community, all the while failing to see the bigger picture: We live in an amazing community with amazing people.

Sure, we have our problems and these neo-Nazis are not to be ignored. However, we need to realize that we are only victims waiting to happen if we fail to see the strength that we have together.

Ok, ok, so it sounds like I am about to break into a new rendition of "We Are The World", so I'll stop there. I am not trying to wax poet or tip the "cheese" scale here. I just think it is important to note that there is hope. I'm going to hold on to that.