October 2020 Issue 143

Page 49

the Valley, especially of children and teens.

Great Change Begins Small

Submitted by Icel Jane Dobell

A

Chief, a Mayor, two MLAs, an MP, business leaders, Councillors, and 260 people attach their names to an article about adults bullying two children in our Valley (Unmasked: The Pandora’s Box Of The Valley). The story is personal and universal about abuse in our community. It strikes a chord. Emails come in about other bullying around

The article is written out of faith that most people are sickened by abuses growing epidemic and would speak out, but feel powerless. The story, with a sign-up, is published in the belief that hundreds will sign on to show the children and their family that abusers are the minority and most people would stand behind or in front of the children. What now? The grandfather of the abused children and I talk about whether the story is meant to go further. He is First Nations, I’m not. It makes no difference. We have a vision; a vision has us. We make a plan: go day by day; wait for signs. During a pandemic, during apocalyptic smoke, during these dark times, when leaders and citizens begin to stand together against abuse, and people put their

businesses on the line—it’s a sign the times are changing. Keep going. Like many, we believe change in the world begins small and grows. We believe the most important thing is to set an example for our children, have a round table, at the dinner table, sign on against bullying as a family. Too many children know about abuses. There are dark forces—there always have been. To rise above the darkness requires commitment, compassion, courage, coming together. So what are we waiting for? Some visionary leader to show us the way? Some time? Later? There is no later, there’s only now and no one will lead the way unless it begins with you, me, us, together. There are many devoted people working to end

bullying in our Valley. When they hear about others signing on, they say the same thing: It’s time we come together to make a change. What if thousands of people in our valley, beyond all differences—gender, race, culture, religions, politics— and embracing all our differences, our strengths, weaknesses and experiences, signed on—actually put our names on the line as ready to take a stand against bullying, verbal and physical? What if most of our local businesses, clubs, teams, organizations, schools, also signed on? What if you put your name on the line? You think it can’t make a difference? As in the movies and fairy tales, so too in life—change begins not with knowing the ending but by simply beginning. To sign on to a beautiful beginning go to https://www.wheredowestand. ca/bullying

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