By ARNOLD A. AUGUSTE
Publisher/Senior Editor
The people have spoken. That is, the 37 per cent (who voted for Chow) of the 39 per cent of those who bothered to exercise their right to vote in the recently concluded mayoral election.
The fact that about 60 per cent of those eligible to vote did not do so should be of concern to all of us. It means that the future of the city will be determined by a small minority of people whose decisions will affect all of us.
And those decisions could be impactful.
One of the first things that come to my mind when I see people demonstrating against a new government policy or a decision that has changed or reversed some policy that was thought to have been established is to wonder how they voted in recent elections, if they voted for those in power making the decisions they were demonstrating against or if they voted at all.
It is not uncommon to hear the claim: “And I voted for them!”
Then there are those who are quite proud to proclaim that they didn’t and don’t vote.
Just about everything affecting our lives is touched by politics. Politicians have and exert a lot of power over us with the decisions they make or don’t make.
They pass laws or enact policies that they might deem to be in our best interest or in the best interest of their friends and supporters or of certain segments of society of which we are not a part.
Elections matter. Ignore that fact at your own peril.
We, as Black people, if we understand our history in this country, will understand why it is so important to vote, to have a strong voice, to be respected politically.
There was a time when we were not allowed to come into this country, or our entry was severely restricted. The term ‘none is too many’ that was applied to members of the Jewish community, also applied to us. Black leaders such as Bromley Armstrong and ‘Uncle Don’ Moore fought diligently to have the doors opened for us, but it was the politicians who made the final decision. It was politicians who blocked us, and it was politicians who opened the doors, ever so slightly.
Voting helps us to help ourselves when we place the right people in power.
To refresh our memory as to where we are coming from, read or re-read Armstrong’s book, Tireless Champion for Just Causes which he wrote with Dr. Sheldon Taylor; Don Moore’s Autobiography and None is Too Many by Professors Abella and Troper. (The name says all you need to know about Canadian immigration policy back in the day.)
While our leaders performed exceptionally, it was the politicians who had the last word. Had they decided differently, a lot of us would not be here today; a lot of our beautiful sons and daughters would not be Canadians.
Elections matter. Voting matters. Don’t rely on others with their own agenda to choose our political leaders.
During a panel discussion on television one night after the election, a councillor new to city hall remarked that previously most of the councillors were older, White and drove cars and that now there is more diversity on council and most councillors either ride bicycles or take transit (or words to that effect).
With those comments an interesting story was being shared. There are new players who have changed – or are changing – the narrative, changing the focus, changing the direction.
And that is what politics can do. You change the people in power, and you change the power dynamic. You don’t like the game, change the players. But you can only do that at election time. So, when you stay home you allow others to decide for you. Then you complain when things don’t go the way you would like.
During the mayoral election, things got really heated up with comments, challenges and statements being made by some candidates against others which might have been confusing – or disheartening – to many. Even the premier of the province got into the act using unfortunate language in support of his favourite candidate. That might have given some of us pause. But don’t be distracted. This is just a game some of them play.
There are people who get into politics for the wrong reasons, and you can know them by their deliverables or lack thereof. Then there are others who do it for the right reasons – to help people, to make a difference in people’s lives.
People like Mary Anne Chambers who, in her short time as a Cabinet minister in the provincial Liberal government has left an incredible record of accomplishment that continues to live on, in things such as the Youth in Policing Initiative which she funded as minister.
In her book, From the Heart, she explained some of the challenges she faced which allowed for a behind-the-scenes look at how politics is done and how it can be done in the service of people. And why getting the right people in the right places is so important.
I am also reminded of a couple of instances B. Denham Jolly wrote about in his book, In the Black, about how politicians screwed him over. Had those politicians recognized him as an important leader in a strong, vigorous and politically active community, things might have been different. Power respects power.
Having the right people in place is one thing. Having them know that we vote and represent a solid voting block that can be helpful – or hurtful – to them at election time is even more important.
There has been for a very long time the narrative that we as a community do not vote. While that is not entirely true, there are a lot of us who don’t for any number of reasons. And this could affect us when we need assistance with issues that affect us, our children or our community.
Take the Toronto Carnival as an example. The way this festival has been treated by the different levels of government is shameful, but they are able to get away with it because they see us – hundreds of thousands of people – as politically weak, powerless and helpless. They also use our internal divisions against us. And we let them.
Other communities, smaller than ours and more recently arrived, have been leaving us in the dust. Other festivals, which came after ours, have been getting greater funding support and respect while we are left on the sidelines begging for scraps.
We have to change this.
Is Olivia Chow the best choice for mayor of this large, important metropolitan city? I don’t think she could be worse than people we have had in the past. Remember the Ford brothers – Rob and Doug?
She will be different. And that is what a lot of people are counting on. During her acceptance speech, she gave a shout-out to the Somali mothers. When has that ever happened before?
A lot of people are depending on her to deliver on her promises. We hope she will not let them down.
