Vancouver: Somewhere over the Rainbow
I recently returned from Vancouver, British Columbia, the western end of Canada. It’s a beautiful city that I fell in love with and thought—had I visited as a young man, it would have been tempting to make a move. Whether or not I would have been bold enough is left to speculation. I was a different, immature, inexperienced man back then. To wonder is often where I go though. I’m from the generation who’s friends were being drafted for the Viet Nam war. As I graduated from university because of my lottery number, I ended up being sworn into the Navy—preferring it to being drafted into the Army. I was headed to OCS to become a supply officer but within weeks my report date was delayed; then again, and again. In November, because the war was winding down, after only seven months, the Navy offered me a discharge. By then, I could see the draft board would not reach my number. I took the out—no benefits obviously. All that to say had it not been the Navy, Canada would have been tempting as it was for numbers of guys back then.
Downtown Vancouver, our hotel with the copper roof
Beyond the physical beauty of Vancouver, the multicultural aspect was very attractive—with multiple ethic groups we heard multiple languages spoken. I am weary of the fear and division in our country. The tolerance, or at least what appeared that way was refreshing (I know my internal romantic never sleeps). Rainbow symbols were everywhere—in windows, on flag poles and in crosswalks. Such displays create ire for others, I know. Some of those people feel all the rainbows and what it stands for is ‘in their face’. What they don’t seem to consider is other actions and symbols have been shoved in the faces of the marginalized and disenfranchised for decades—if not forever. The ‘proud boys’ now hang offensive (to me) homemade banners from overpasses in West TN. So the symbols I saw all over Canada offered me some hope for humanity.
Flag poles near Canada Place, the cruise ship terminal in the harbor
I know there are multiple views concerning all the issues facing us—even in Canada. Though I was on holiday—in that mindset, I’m not totally naive. Canada is dealing with its factions as well. I just got the feel Canadians were a tad more inclusive and easier going. As we left Charlottetown, PEI via the southern coastline we went through a tiny fishing village. There on the dock was a flagpole with the Canadian flag, and the rainbow flag (photo). As I said, I know these are only symbols and symbols mean different things to different people. These symbols try to encourage tolerance, to be more inclusive. They remind us to reach out to others who are not like us—or at least we think they are not. The surprise is we’re not very different. That which is most personal is most universal. I’ve gained way more than I have lost in spending time with people first perceived as ‘not like me’. There is always common ground if we keep walking awhile together.
the south shore fishing village
We are in a world right now that is dominated by a philosophy of fear. There are unknowns, big ones. Unknowns are unsettling and make all of us want to circle the wagons. But as it always has been, the way forward is together, not split into camps—blue or red, black or white, gay or straight, Christian or Jew or Muslim or Hindu; ‘OR’ goes on forever; the US vs THEM mentality.
So the symbols I saw across Canada encouraged me. Maybe it is my optimistic, pie in the sky, Anne of Green Gables outlook. It sure is not that I don’t have a well developed cynical side. (I bought a sticker at Lake Louise, “HIKE because people suck”). I put it on my laptop—not my bumper.
There are no current plans to move to Canada. I’m too old for that now—so I came back to a country torn by division with a rededication to continuing to reach out where I can and bridge the divides surrounding all of us. In reality, I’ve spent a career doing that very thing coaching couples, parents and kids, gay and straight—people caught in their own perceived distances from others whoever that might be. Encouraging them to make love their aim, not letting their fears and anxiety rule their days. I’m no different. I have to do the same since I too am surrounded by all the hateful voices and adverting that plays constantly on my fears.
on the door of a business
It’s costly. J.C. said it would be.
It’s the only way in the end. The rainbow flies high and vivid within my own being.
It’s me and Judy Garland I guess. It’s not the yellow brick road any longer.
a crosswalk in Halifax
Oh, hear’s the sticker:
