The History of Today

There’s one thing I love about history: you always know how things are going to turn out. Who will win the war, how many will die in the plague, what new countries will be formed, and, most importantly, that humanity will survive. History is broken into neat little packages like “the Norman invasion” and “the Spanish Inquisition”.

Life isn’t like that. Yes, this will be someone’s history someday (presuming the species does survive), but as we go from day to day, we don’t know how many are going to die in the pandemic, or if some of them are going to be people we love. We don’t know if the wars we hear about daily are going to explode into the next world war. We don’t even know how much groceries will cost next week, or if we will be able to continue to pay rent and feed the family.

This can cause a lot of stress, especially when many of the things we don’t know could mean the difference between life and death for us and the people we love. Sadly, there are political factions in several countries right now that, rather than trying to ease these fears, are taking advantage of them for their own purposes.

These extreme right-ring politicians are stoking the fear that people naturally feel, and encouraging them to turn it into anger and even hatred against groups with whom they disagree. Because some of them are good speakers with well-designed propaganda, talking to people who are already looking to find someone to blame for their negative feelings, they are succeeding all too well.

If elections were to occur today in both Canada and the U.S., according to polls, the extreme right wing would win in both countries. The people who are choosing hate and fear are supported by the majority.

We need to do something to change that before there really is an election. Propaganda will not be enough. We need to help people to feel less stress and fear for the future so that they will have less desire to follow the haters. Not an easy job, but here are a few suggestions:

• Spend time with a friend, and offer a bit of help if they are stressed (babysit so they have a night off, treat them to lunch, etc.)

• Volunteer (the food banks can use help right now)

• Look after your own physical and mental health

• Let people know they can talk to you if they need to

• Call or write your political representative to be sure they are doing what they should be for their people

• Make sure that you are registered to vote!

Our current political leaders are attempting to win the voters. In Canada, we have the beginning of Pharmacare and free dental care, as well as federal money going into housing throughout the country. $10-a-day day care is also being implemented, though it is also not complete. Hopefully these types of assistance will help, but it is up to all of us to look after each other. Don’t let fear and hatred win.