There is an old adage: “Those who can, do.
Those who can’t, teach.”
I have always disliked this adage as I
found it disrespectful of those in our world who teach, as teachers of any sort
are remarkable individuals (as anyone who has spent time with a classroom of
boisterous students would know). I think the adage, however, has some value
when you revise it a bit to reflect our current reality:
“Those who can, do. Those who can’t throw
rocks at those who do.”
I must admit I was thinking this when a
“document” surfaced recently in this community, one containing my name as well
as the names of many other engaged citizens. The document suddenly appeared on
Twitter and on a local Facebook page, with the origin or author of the document
never revealed. I considered reproducing it here, but long ago I decided I
would not give cowards the chance to use the platform I have created, and
since the author of the document has not stepped forward I decline to give that
kind of cowardice an audience. The general gist of it, though, were some vague
allegations about citizens who are politically involved at both the federal and
provincial level, but for different parties (“Mein Gott”, as my father would
say when he was feeling particularly sarcastic after reading some idiocy in the
newspaper – Mein Gott, the audacity to be involved in politics but with
DIFFERENT PARTIES). The allegations were rather nebulous, the author of the
anonymous document lacking in either the writing skill or courage to make
themselves entirely clear. It doesn’t really matter, though, because it seems
the intent was to smear those named, to create suspicion and doubt about them and to discourage their participation in democracy.
You see not everyone thinks democracy is a
game everyone should play. They would rather hoard it to themselves,
controlling the destiny of elections and of political parties. They object to
the involvement of anyone who does not think like them and they fear anyone who
may change what they think should not change - and fear is a powerful motivator
(powerful enough that someone would spend their time to pen such a document,
and powerful enough that they would be too afraid to put their name onto
it). And there are those who believe it
is their right to simply throw rocks at other people, particularly at the
people who are actually doing things for this community because it is much
easier to throw rocks than to be involved in making a difference.
Several of the individuals named in that
nebulous document are ones who are deeply involved in this region. They serve
on the boards of non-profit organizations. They work with groups and
individuals to make this a better place. They have invested heavily in this
region, not just with their cash but with their hearts and their time and that
investment has been made because this is their home. It is disheartening – and
even angering – to see others throw rocks at them from the sidelines,
particularly given those throwing rocks seem more invested in that hobby than
in investing in this community.
Rock throwing doesn’t build a community.
Creating and sharing anonymous, ill-spirited and accusatory documents doesn’t
build a community. Differences of opinion can and should occur and be
encouraged, but these kinds of anonymous personal attacks designed and created to damage
others? They have no place in this community, particularly during a time when
we are facing some significant challenges and we need to pull together, not
apart.
For the record I was not particularly
troubled to read my name in that document, as I have become used to being a
target of rocks by virtue of this blog. It did trouble me, though, to see the
names of others who I know work hard every day for this community, and to see
that those throwing rocks at them were quite happy to name them, but far too cowardly
to name themselves. Those who choose to share those anonymous documents simply encourage
that kind of cowardice, and allow it to breed while using it as a shield from
behind which they can throw their own rocks.
“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, throw
rocks at those who do.”
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