Without each of us embracing the entire width and breadth of the vast diversity amongst us, the future of society is not sustainable.
Recent events, such as but not limited to the election of regressive politicians, have emboldened those acting to deny some members of society equity and inclusion. Conversely, however, members of racialized communities, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, First Nations and others victimized by generalized prejudice and discrimination and found in legislative assemblies, are finding more allies than ever before.
In communities in every corner of Canada and well beyond, the voices and acts of hate, violence and prejudice are indeed loud and sometimes difficult to overcome. Nevertheless, Organized Labour, Pride organizations, progressive faith communities and socially responsible lawmakers speak loudly and proudly that despite setbacks there will not ever be a step backwards. Acting in one voice in our region, Kincardine Pride, the Grey Bruce Labour Council and allies continue the decades of vital work by Labour and Pride organizations worldwide and doing all that is possible to overcome the voices of hate.
It is terrifying to see individual and group acts of hate and violence. Worse is the proliferation of government representatives and legislative bodies around the world acting in sympathy to this hate and violence.
Although Pride and Labour have a history of success, that success is always at risk. A sure way of pushing back the agenda of hate, violence and prejudice is to make it clear to the enablers in government that their political futures are at risk as progressive organizations and the ever-increasing family of allies align to take power out the hands of politicians who would turn back the hands of time on diversity, equity and inclusion. Never forgetting that legislators and lawmakers often take donations from companies and corporations that would deny not only equity and inclusion, but also basic labour rights, there remains the option of boycotting these same companies and corporations.
It is clear that those with a desire to stop or stall the progress towards equity and inclusion have an agenda and plan plus a great many supporters. It is often said that, if progressive organizations such as Organized Labour could coalesce all their members into voting in the interests of the collective good and stay away from voting for politicians and/or political parties on the right wing of the political spectrum, the parties and politicians we see today as emboldening prejudice and hate could be prevented from ever acquiring political power again. This is how we must act.
We must take the struggle forward and pre-empt those who desire division and hate over unity and love from ever being able to secure the ability to enact laws and legislation that would reverse years of progress.
Acting jointly, the Grey Bruce Labour Council and Kincardine Pride are proud of this relationship.
