I have a modest proposal.
Having seen all the discontent and anger in the world, I think it would be best if everyone cared about each other the way Squamish residents care about bears.
In my short time in this community, I have seen the way bears have elicited incredible amounts of affection from all, and I have come to believe that the way we care about these animals could serve as an example as to how we should conduct ourselves with people.
When a bear attacks someone, the people are always quick to give the bear the benefit of the doubt.
It was probably just being overprotective of its cubs, people will say.
You were invading its personal space, folks will announce.
When a bear destroys your property, the blame is always assigned to the person who didn’t lock their gate or chain up their garbage bin.
I could list off many more examples, but you see the pattern here, yes?
This is not a criticism – I think it’s great.
We acknowledge that we as people are in a position of responsibility because we have been privileged enough to be born into circumstances that give us power over these animals.
And we recognize that we should use it wisely and with compassion.
So how about this – when the Under One Roof facility was given third reading by council recently, instead of complaining about how hordes of poor people would be invading the area, what if people gave these folks the same benefit of the doubt that we give the bears?
Instead of complaining about how someone looked or smelled funny, perhaps we could point out that it’s hard to keep up appearances when you’re broke.
Instead of muttering about how homeless folks go through your recycling bin for cans, maybe we could remember that any source of income – such as salvaging cans – is better than no income.
Instead of griping about how social housing drives down property prices in the area, perhaps realize that many people don’t have property at all.
Not to mention, that it is supremely ironic people will complain about the unaffordability of Squamish, and then complain again when an affordable housing solution – like Under One Roof – is implemented in order to address that problem.
How about we remember that humans deserve the same benefit of the doubt we give bears?
