January 23, 2011

• Over the Fire

  I walked through Holt Renfrew for the first time today in the puffy jacket I've had since grade 7 (I swear I've grown since then...vertically...somewhat) and the whole time I was bristling with self-consciousness.

  My discomfort was about more than just the dollars in my bank. It was the way the store had conspicuously poised their shelf of "new reusable bags". The way the mallers were walking through casually with their friends, A&W takeout in hand, while HR staff were sizing us up based on race and attire. The way the crowd felt comfortable in this commercial, gentrified space that in reality is hostile to all except those who dress like movie stars. The way a $4000 jacket could pay for 8 month's rent. The way HR can take over our city with its shiny real estate and its billboard proclamations and then turn around and tell us that it's us who don't belong. 

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  I never knew what true democracy was like until I joined CJSF. On just the 8-person exec board we have people who are coloured, LGBT, young, elderly, vegetarian, female and disabled. Most of us fit in more than one category. In other words, an entire Vancouver radio station is being run by minorities. We have a station manager, but he is not our boss and he doesn't tell us what to do. Each individual is accountable to everyone else; all decisions are made as a collective. 

  jhr (journalism for human rights) held a free Canada-wide conference today; there were 25 attendees total. The group was white and cliquey (high school v.2!) but hey, I get that mingling's hard for all the involved parties, especially without a supportive environment.

  What I couldn't forgive was the smoking, Coca-Cola, gummy worms, makeup, Tim Hortons, bottled water, Coach bags and mall rats. 

  I'm so matronly, I know. The conference facilitator even said at one point, "I don't expect you to be anti-discrimination, sexism, racism and environmental degredation all at once, much less do something about them all. It's impossible!"

  But why? How hurtful is avoiding cigarettes, fast food and $400 designer bags to our quality of life? How difficult is it to say NO to sexual objectification, $1.45 packages of candy and disposable tissues? You can't be a feminist who isn't concerned about the environment, and you can't fight for gay rights if you don't care about aboriginals. I used to think that the term "activist" was lame because it was too broad and vague, but now I understand that activism is a package deal. 

  My best friends are Shark, who smokes, and Mermaids, who's a neoliberal. But I don't expect anything from them because they didn't sign up for a human rights conference! We spent all today talking about Chinese censorship, human trafficking, WalMart sweatshops - as if human rights abuses happen only in places other than here. As if we can critique others before reforming ourselves. And we wonder why we felt so powerless in affecting real change! 

  None of us are saints, but god, why aren't we trying? Especially while claiming to be agents of change? Especially when it's so easy?

  I'm not this antagonizing in real life, obviously. I nod and agree with Blenz when she reiterates the need for fun and friendly environmentalism. I smile demurely when people say, "I should start carrying a reusable mug," and then I offer gentle words of encouragement. But I resent having to baby people into activism and my frustration ends up here.

   

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  Can I just add that French boys are the real deal. They're pretty, compulsively polite and activist. France is socialist! Student rallies happen on a yearly basis! AND they speak French! I am clearly in the wrong country. 

  • 12:26 am
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