- what is kind?
- what is best for all (not just for me)?
- what is just?
These questions help me at work when dealing with difficult conversations and relationships. They also help me personally when I make decisions in times that are overwhelming or challenging. These questions also allow me to forgive myself when I can't make leaps and bounds forward. I'm not required to do ALL of the things, or change everything at once. I can do the Next Right Thing and that is enough.
Hate is wrong. Hate is not an opinion. It is a statement of violence. In Canadian Law, freedoms come with responsibility. I am free to speak, but must also take responsibility for the impact of my words. I can have an opinion about politics, laws, decisions, but hate speech goes beyond expression to become an act of violence. To quote the Supreme Court of Canada in 1990:
Hatred is predicated on destruction, and hatred against identifiable groups therefore thrives on insensitivity, bigotry and destruction of both the target group and of the values of our society. Hatred in this sense is a most extreme emotion that belies reason; an emotion that, if exercised against members of an identifiable group, implies that those individuals are to be despised, scorned, denied respect and made subject to ill‑treatment on the basis of group affiliation.
https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201825E
Supporting those who take a stance against hate is the right thing to do. And so the next right thing for me to do is to support those who speak up, and who fight against the violence of hate. I can support through small steps, such as purchasing a pattern on Ravelry, supporting makers like Thea Colman who is donating profits from patterns to support new immigrants in the United States. I can purchase books that teach me about racism, homophobia, inequity, and social justice.
This month, I read Robin Stevenson's book about the origins of Pride at school with students. It's written for 10-15 year olds, but is suitable for older students as well. The book explains the origins of Pride, from Stonewall forward, and reminds us that Pride was a protest long before it was a parade and celebration.
This summer I have many books on my list of books to read. Some come from a great podcast about books and reading, The Stacks Podcast.
All of these acts are small. I have few followers on social media, a few readers here on the blog, and live a small but purposeful life. I have no wide audience or platform. I do the Next Right Thing not to be noticed, or applauded, or to gain approval from others. I do the Next Right Thing because it's the difference I can make right now.
