A path towards respect and dignity takes trust

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/01/2025 (452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The current political chaos, war and climate disasters can feel overwhelming. Getting away from that undercurrent of anxious panic about it all is rough. However, looking to others’ examples can plow a path to new hope.

The river trail had just opened on the Assiniboine. It was a weekend afternoon. I was walking towards home with our dog and one of my twins when a woman wearing green turtle knee guards appeared on the walking side of the trail. She was slight but stalking along, stomping on figure skates. I feared big gashes in the compacted snow.

“Hey,” I called, “You can’t do that on this side! Go over to the skating side.” Within moments, I learned she’d never been on skates before. I regretted my first words.

I wanted to be encouraging. We showed her how to stop and how to get up again if you fall. “Pretend you’re asking someone to get married.”

I saw my other twin skating towards us. I handed off our new skater to him. I think her name was Nina. Perhaps she was also a newcomer to Canada. My kid on skates, though trying hard, was faltering. His cheeks were red, almost purple with exertion and cold. It was time to get him home.

I looked toward the busy skating path and called out to a young guy in a hockey jersey. “Hey!” I called, “Can you help?” Within moments, he was skating backwards, looking at me and saying, “What do you want me to do?”

The new skater, still stomping on the ice, hadn’t worked out gliding yet. I noticed he had another person with him, now trailing. We explained, “She’s never skated before. Hold her hands, help her out.”

One kid’s skates came off. Soon two kids, one mom and a dog clambered up the steep bank. Then I started unpacking how incredibly brave Nina was. Imagine getting your skates laced for the first time as an adult.

Then, imagine getting yourself out on the river trail alone and hoping to work it out, only depending on strangers for help. Imagine the distance (physically or mentally?) she travelled to get to that point. I was impressed.

Indoors, while warming up, I saw recent Instagram posts from a woman who does positive, fact-based advocacy.

Like many, Samantha and her household evacuated from their house due to the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. She thought they were only leaving due to bad smoke. She didn’t take much with her. She then discovered that her home was completely gone, destroyed by fire.

In the news a day later, she was asked how they were coping. Mothers everywhere recognized her response. “I have three kids, and they all need underwear. So that’s what we’re doing right now. Dealing with the basics.”

Then, I found another update. It started with, “I’m crying a lot right now” but followed with details: Samantha’s family was safe with generous friends. They’d convinced her to follow through to attend a convention where she’d been scheduled to speak long ago. A mom, in an airport, leaving kids and pets, had such faith in others.

Samantha flew to meet that moment, wearing borrowed clothing and stowing makeup in her bra. After all, there were no handbags after losing everything. Photos showed her meeting other women, speaking, embracing and holding each other up.

Not only was this advocate brave, but her faith in others, in believing her needs, her children’s needs, would be met by other good people was astounding. Days after losing her house in the Palisades fire, there she was on the convention’s stage, speaking out. Wow — talk about rising to the occasion.

Then, I read about a Winnipegger, Avrom Charach, who has systemically worked to clean up hate speech graffiti in our city. For Jewish Winnipeggers, the rise in antisemitism has been intense. It’s hard to miss the hate-filled graffiti all over the city. I’ve made six police reports myself.

Avrom took that effort further. He’s removed over 100 of these hateful graffiti tags himself so far. Doing this restores dignity, both to the Canadian Jewish community and to other targeted minorities. I have deep respect for Avrom’s efforts to promote love and erase hate.

As individuals, we don’t affect change on the world stage, but these moments of bravery, faith in humankind, love and efforts to restore dignity are possible.

That bravery, whether it’s moving to another country, lacing up skates or somehow continuing after losing everything is inspirational. Believing that someone out there will be good enough to help when we fall is a big step. That faith in others has faltered for many.

Yet respecting others is possible. Even that basic dignity to be free from hate speech in daily life means maintaining that faith in others’ goodwill. This shouldn’t be a hard ask. I’m grateful to see someone stepping up to erase hate and offer that dignity.

Next time you have the chance, please remember to reach out to help others.

Consider donating or helping that person who may have lost everything to fire, war or disaster. Our efforts to offer others dignity and respect, basic human rights, are part of what keeps trust in our communities alive.

Politicians often claim “that isn’t Canada” when commenting on the rise in hate, but those words are too little, too late after the deed’s been done.

As Canadians, we must cultivate an ability to see each other’s humanity.

We need to step up, support each other, offer a helping hand and respect each other. Only as individuals can we fix this damage.

To erase hate and mistrust, we can forge that brave path ahead one at a time. You can help. We can make a difference here at home.

Let’s start by showing our love and respect for one another.

Joanne Seiff, a Winnipeg author, has been contributing opinions and analysis to the Winnipeg Free Press since 2009.