Representation Matters

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: John Ames Birch <amesbirch403@gmail.com> Date: Fri., Dec. 10, 2021, 3:27 p.m. Subject: Representation Matters (Opinion) To: <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>, <chrystia.freeland@parl.gc.ca>, <dujarric@un.org>, <aclupreferences@aclu.org>, <antonio.ferrari@un.org>, <actso@naacpnet.org>, <america@aljazeera.net>, <assistance@liberal.ca>, <boards@la.gov>, <barbara.warren@disney.com>, <bob.bailey@pc.ola.org>, <city.manager@calgary.ca>, <cnn.feedback@cnn.com>, <calgary@globalnews.ca>, <cbcpr@cbc.ca>, <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>, <drun@un.int>, <drtheresa.tam@canada.ca>, <ecampaign@gop.com>, <edmonton@globalnews.ca>, <eonline@bellmedia.ca>, <Francois-Philippe.Champagne@parl.gc.ca>, <gov.pressoffice@alaska.gov>, <humantraffickingtaskforce@gov.ab.ca>, <haqf@un.org>, <health@ctv.ca>, <info@ccla.org>, <info@rttv.ru>, <jagmeet.singh@parl.gc.ca>, <jeff_klein@dkcnews.com>, <jedminston@nationalpost.com>, <jean-yves.duclos@parl.gc.ca>, <km_ir@kindermorgan.com>, <kdundar@hdn.com.tr>, <krishana.polite@nc.gov>, <lawsociety@lso.ca>, <letters@gq.com>, <laurie.chandler@gov.ab.ca>, <lauri.l.hogan@abc.com>, <marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca>, <mayor@mississauga.ca>, <mackenzie.blyth@gov.ab.ca>, <media@aclu.com>, <news@connexionfrance.com>, <newschannel@ctv.ca>, <newsonline@ctv.ca>, <news@thelocal.se>, <news@skynews.com>, <osd.pentagonpressbadges@mail.mil>, <press@usda.gov>, <palestine@un.int>, <press@ocasiocortez.com>, <press@blacklivesmatter.com>, <paoquery@cdc.gov>, <Patty.Hajdu@parl.gc.ca>, <report@aiusa.org>, <sales@thewhitehousepress.com>, <sena_fitzmaurice@comcast.com>, <themayor@calgary.ca>, <tips@thetexan.news>, <us@ocasiocortez.com>, <ViewerContactCalgary@globalnews.ca>, <ViewerContactToronto@globalnews.ca>, <Vincent.A.Steves@abc.com>, <washingtonbureau@naacpnet.org>, <w5@ctv.ca>, <weekend@cbsnews.com>, <yves-francois.blanchet@parl.gc.ca>, <YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk>, <YDChin@rcclapac.com>

Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about how some authors of color are having their books banned by the educational system. The reason for the ban is due to the adult nature of the real life stories in these books. The story talked about how the mature subject matter of one of the books caused parents to complain about it and had it removed. The concern is that many people of color face different challenges then everyone else and as such their stories are at times more real. While I understand the need for age specific boundaries, we cannot shy away from the darker aspects of our society. Each year more and more people fall victim to predators and pretenders who seek personal machinations over people. They seek to challenge the morality of our society for their own personal gains and each year more and more children fall victim to these evil men and women. When we shelter the next generation from the trauma of this one without educating them as to the reality behind our society, we do them and us a disservice. Our society consists of the good and bad of who we are as a people and we need to arm the next generation with the knowledge of what to avoid and what might befall them as they live their lives. Furthermore, representation matters in every possible way. When people of color grow up not seeing role models or people from their culture they sometimes feel displaced from society as a whole. Growing up LGBTQ+, I rarely saw or heard any mention of my people and the challenges I might face in my community. I was never prepared for what I would experience as I had no real role models to identify with or educate myself upon. We need those experiences to cling to at times to find an island in the night so that we may gain refuge from the cold nights that befall us. These experiences are like beacons in the night to guide our way to safety and awaken knowledge of ourselves. Each one an important step towards understanding who you are and where you are going. We must remember each other and the stories that shape us and our companions as these stories teach us about ourselves and our cultures in a variety of ways. It is therefore important to showcase these stories in all their adversity so that we might find commonality amongst the chaos of this world. Perhaps we can review our educational literary offerings and see if we can adopt more stories into our educational processes to ensure that each voice may find a common chord to sing a symphony. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2