NIMBY is an average backyard

~ close to home, human rights aren't only headlines from abroad, they are everybody-rights, everywhere, aren't they?

It’s easy to be appalled by headlines: war, famine, displacement, brutality.

Human rights abuses play out on our screens, and we watch from a safe distance.

We shake our heads, perhaps donate, repost, or protest.

But what about here?

Closer than we’re comfortable admitting.

At the edge of our parks, our bus stops, our sidewalks - Human Rights are quietly denied in broad daylight.

Get the link - it’s a film premier screening tomorrow evening, this Tuesday - at the Bella at MRU, in Calgary - have a look at the state of human rights right here, in backyard Alberta.

Presented by the Dignity Forum: Human Rights: Fact or Fiction - A History of Human Rights in Alberta - https://events.mtroyal.ca/event/humanrights

Doors open at 6:30PM, starts at 7:00 sharp, film 7:10-8:20, panel 8:20-9:00 - founder and hero of mine Ron Ghitter (my interview of him 11 years ago - yikes, time flies) - human rights champion, former MLA, former Senator, founder of Dignity Forum, Order of Canada recipient, kind man, tennis player, world traveller, turtle lover, veteran commercial industry leader, lawyer, a fellow Toastmaster, and highly celebrated advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves and strong supporter of those who can - my friend and fellow Toastmaster - with host/MC Dave Kelly.

Where is NIMBY, where is your ‘average Canadian’ backyard.

In our backyard.

Yes, yours.

Mine too.

Not by authoritarian regimes, but by silence.
By inaction.
By policies we excuse, and behaviours we rationalize.

… keep reading, please!