“If you believe that actions make a difference and that you do modify the future, please use the opportunities you have to make the the world a better place. This is your chance.” Ed Catmull, #TrueNorth18
We wanted to share a snippet of dialogue that happened at an event recently.
Individual: Why did you start HeartBeatsHate in Canada?
HeartBeatsHate: Because, that’s where we lived.
Individual: Yea, but it’s Canada. We’re known for being polite and peace-building.
*crickets*
While this may be the stereotypes that Canadians are most proud of (the peace building, laid back, fun loving, overly polite neighbours to the south of ‘Merica), the truth is we need HeartBeatsHate here as much as anywhere else.
Racism, bigotry and hatred don’t know geographic boundaries. While it may not be as rampant in our country, it seems that lately, many bigots and racists have become emboldened.
Don’t believe me? Then explain why a native youth hockey team was at the receiving end of hate speech. Or why this woman felt that Denny’s was her soapbox to hurl racist slurs? We’re just over a year outside of the Quebec mosque shooting, I could go on, but I’m sure it makes many of you uncomfortable.
We started HeartBeatsHate because we knew it was our chance to make the world a better place. Sure, it started in our hometown in St. Jacobs, Ontario, but the movement is bigger than that. Like racism, bigotry and hatred, love knows no geographic boundaries either.
So we invite you to stand up, speak out and push back alongside of us. Take this opportunity to make your small section of our world a better place.
