What’s in a Name?

I have recently seen an advertisement on television from Mastercard informing us that they have a new card called True Name. For some of us, this may seem insignificant. All our identification bears our name. What’s the big deal?  For some it is monumental. 

I have to admit that I did not know that having a card in my wallet not bearing my name was even a thing. But I am not part of the LBGTQ+ community. Some times I’m unaware of issues that affect others. I don’t believe that is intentional, as I don’t think it is for most. In fact, I am naïve enough to take for granted that people, companies and government would be timely in adapting to the needs of ALL people. I know. It’s not only naïve but perhaps even delusional. 

The struggles of those who identify as any marginalized group are real, whether I, or anyone, understand them or not. I do my best to understand, empathize and support them in any way I can. But, since I don’t live their life, there will be struggles that I don’t immediately see. This is the case here. 

When a person identifies themselves as a gender other than their physical state at birth, I can only imagine the turmoil in which they live. This is not as simple as getting a new hair cut or colour to match what you feel. Your very physical being does not match who you really are. 

After this, there must be fear; fear of family reaction, fear of school, and fear of how will your friends react. What about transition?

Wouldn’t it be great if they could look forward to love, support and acceptance?  Honestly, I don’t know why this is not the case. I guess it’s my delusions and naivety rearing their beautiful heads again. 

Perhaps it’s fear that causes some people to react the way they do. I’m not a huge Stars Wars fan, but Yoda says some pretty great things. One of which is: “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”  Fear of the unknown is natural. But instead of submitting to that fear, seek knowledge.  It’s not as hard as you may think. There is information all around you, just look or ask. You will be enlightened and perhaps find compassion and understanding. This makes fear and judgement impossible. 

So I come back the the ad by Mastercard. I commend and congratulate them for this step. Acknowledging our differences and acting accordingly is brave in the corporate world. I am sure there will be backlash. And if you listen to the ad, you will learn that the LBGQ+ community want what we all want and need. It is a great spiritual need to be loved and belong. I see no reason why this basic need is not freely given. I hope that this goes beyond ground breaking. I want it to be something that will go without saying. 

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

I was going to write a long history of the man who was St. Patrick, including his lineage and how St. Patrick’s Day became such a big deal for so many people. But I reconsidered and thought only a brief bio was necessary. 

I will say that he was a man who was born in England and  kidnapped to Ireland. After his escape from Irish slavery and return to his family, he returned to Ireland as a missionary. It was reported that he performed miracles, including bring back people from the dead. He was in danger, but continued to preach Christianity to Ireland. 

There have been legends about St. Patrick as well. According to some, he drove all the snakes from Ireland. It is also told that he explained the Holy Trinity to the Irish by using a shamrock; three leaves on one stem and one plant. 

The most important thing I want to say is the following: 

May you always have a coin in your pocket. 

May the wind always be at your back, and

May you be in Heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead. 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. 

What is a Good Education

This is probably not the most interesting topic, nonetheless it is the most important. I was educated in the Separate School System in Northern Ontario.I attended JK to Grade 8 in French and Grade 9 to 13 in English. I also attended York University and graduated with a HBA degree in Sociology and a Minor in Psychology. I am not sharing this information to brag but to explain my background and possible reasons for this post. 

All of this book learning was great and I think it was important and has definitely contributed my successes. However, I certainly don’t believe that it is the end all and be all of education. In fact, the most important lesson I ever learned was at my family dinner table, every night. As I grew up, the problems of the world were tabled, discussed and solve at every evening. I learned to think and I learned to question. 

I am grateful for this. It saved me from blind obedience. It gave me compassion for others in dire situations. It opened my mind to the opinions of others. It made me teachable from everyone and anyone I met. 

I became aware that any social or historical event is never black or white; right or wrong. I cannot jump to a conclusion without proper investigation. Most importantly, if I have an opinion, I damn well better be able to back it up. 

I am presently working on the other side of the desk so to speak. I am teaching at the Oxford Learning Centre in Bradford Ontario. Its program centres around asking questions and knowing the why of any topic. It motivates the brain to retain information because it is always is connected to what you already know. 

It has become obvious to me that this type of learning and questioning is not something that most students know. I am not blaming teachers or parents or any educational professionals. I am sure I am not the only individual who has made this observation. The question is what to do about it. 

Part of my responsibility as a parent is to prepare my children for the world. This includes the good and the bad. If they are to be contributing members of society they must know to question everything they hear or read. What is being said? Why is it being said? By whom is being said? And what interest does “the whom” have in what is being said?  By asking these questions, my children are able to make well educated decisions in their lives and in the process change the world. Every child should be given that chance. They are all our future. 

I am not putting the responsibility of this type of learning on any one person or institution. A lot can be said for the idea that it takes a village to raise a child. I believe in a united team of schools, parents, and others to instil the skill of thinking in our youth. This is the most important skill that anyone can learn. It opens them up to endless knowledge.