The past few weeks in Canada have been reminiscent of the early stages of COVID-19. It’s been chaotic, anxious, fearful, and uncertain. While these feelings are being experienced again by many, we are now also experiencing a sense of betrayal and disbelief. We feel betrayed by the United States, our supposed closest ally and neighbour. We are in disbelief. Read More
The past few weeks in Canada have been reminiscent of the early stages of COVID-19. It’s been chaotic, anxious, fearful, and uncertain. While these feelings are being experienced again by many, we are now also experiencing a sense of betrayal and disbelief. We feel betrayed by the United States, our supposed closest ally and neighbour.
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The past few weeks in Canada have been reminiscent of the early stages of COVID-19. It’s been chaotic, anxious, fearful, and uncertain. While these feelings are being experienced again by many, we are now also experiencing a sense of betrayal and disbelief. We feel betrayed by the United States, our supposed closest ally and neighbour. We are in disbelief.
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The sense of betrayal and disbelief is justified. There are random tariffs on goods entering the U.S. based on questionable accusations about fentanyl entering the U.S. across the Canadian border. There’s been a shameful attack on the president of Ukraine in the Oval Office. An American president has sided with a Russian president on the war in Ukraine. Plus, we’ve seen the hiring of unelected people such as Elon Musk shutting down global aid programs, the firing of government employees, fear mongering of immigrants, attacks on diverse genders and criticism of Canada, claiming it should become a 51st state. The list goes on. It has been a rapid bombardment that feels like betrayal. Our heads are spinning.
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These threats from President Donald Trump have awakened Canadian patriotism. We are wondering what we can do to counter these threats and what a faithful response to this crisis might look like.
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I, too. have been pondering this and I have realized that there are many ways to respond.
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First, let me say that while Trump was elected by the American people, America is not Donald Trump. Many did not vote for him and not all Americans support his agenda. Many Americans are also fearful and afraid, and they remain our friends. We need to remember that.
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Secondly, I believe that “hurt people hurt people.” Trump is governing after a lifetime of personal hurt and neglect. His arrogance, ignorance, and bullying are a learned response from the hurt he experienced that he is now inflicting upon us all. If we are able to see him as a wounded person, perhaps then we are able to offer a respectful, powerful compassion that empowers us to resist and counter his folly.
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I believe that each of us, at our core, is good. Each of us has a soul that is our True Self, a common place of goodness. It is characterized by compassion, curiosity, kindness, beauty and love.
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When we choose to live from this place and space, the world is in deep loving harmony. We catch glimpses of this throughout our life journey when we flourish, shine, and are at home with ourselves and the world we inhabit. Some name this our original blessing.
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However, through negative experiences, hardship and harm, our soul gets tarnished, scarred and broken. I believe Trump’s soul has become warped, scarred, and broken; and, we are witnessing this lack of health in spades. As such, we need to respond to his woundedness with a deep courage and compassion grounded in love. It is an act of resistance and strength.
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Bishop Marion Budde modelled this in her sermon at the National Cathedral, when she called on the president to be merciful. While I feel her message fell on deaf ears, it is still our call as people of faith. Be merciful. While this sounds crazy, the alternative, to be combative, dismissive, or bowing to him, only makes it worse for all.
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What to do? First, remember what you love about Canada and fly our flag proudly, right side up this time!
Show others and remind them we are not alone in this process.
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