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Cranbrook has a troubled conscience right now
Letter to the Editor
Open Letter to Cranbrook City Council
I urge you to take action as quickly as possible towards to the Lethbridge Denny’s incident, which streamed across social media and news outlets last week. The worst thing we can do as a community is absolutely nothing. Apathy against bigotry will always be interpreted as acceptance.
What happened in that Denny’s was an attack on the health and wellbeing on our city. This racially biased incident didn’t just victimize the individuals involved; but it tormented our entire community. The overall quality of life in our community can and will suffer if this episode of racial hatred goes unanswered.
As disturbing as it was to watch the video clip, what was it like for the men who were on the receiving end? How vulnerable did they feel? How alone? How frightened? They were verbally attacked in a public setting and threatened with physical violence, for no other reason than simply being who they are. It is almost certain both men will experience long-term psychological effects, which may include depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What will it be like for them the next time they wish to go out in public? What can they tell their family members? What can they possibly tell their children?
What can we possibly tell our children? We are left with little but the sad truth: Certain people in our community feel that they are privileged, and that certain things in this country belong to them alone. They feel that people who are different from them, who maybe don’t look like them, shouldn’t share in the benefits of this nation.
Our city has a fantastic opportunity here. Both our civic and business leaders can take an active role and reach out to the victims of this racially biased incident. Their names are Monir Omerzai and Mujtaba Abdul Ghafar. I suggest that we as city invite the two men to visit our community, speak with our leaders and citizens, and for both sides to get to know each other. In doing so, the victims will feel supported, and all members of our involved can learn and heal.
In doing so, Cranbrook will be acknowledged as a city of tolerance and acceptance; a place overflowing with basic human decency and goodness; place where the dignity of all people is cherished and respected. This will give us a new truth to tell our children: that the things that divide human beings, such as different backgrounds or belief systems, are ultimately accidental and inconsequential to our humanity.
Cranbrook’s conscience is very troubled right now. I ask our leaders to step forward and act quickly. Two men in Lethbridge are counting on us.
Mike Selby,
Cranbrook
