Did you know that Mr. Jack Layton and Mr. Nelson Mandela were both born on July 18?
Indeed, Mr. Layton was a Canadian hero who was born in Montreal, Québec, on July 18, 1950 (https://shorturl.at/5nVIa). Being a highly inspiring politician, he led the New Democratic Party (NDP) from 2003 to 2011 (https://shorturl.at/5nVIa). Canadian respected him. They loved him, even those who may have not fully endorsed the vision of his political party. How could they not to when he demonstrated that he was principled, authentic, and caring in his public service and political leadership?
As for Mr. Nelson Mandela, the HERO of his people (https://shorturl.at/wcGIJ) and the eternal worldwide source of inspiration, he was born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa (https://shorturl.at/FI7cm).
On this July 18, 2024, Bambi could not help not to wonder what would have these two men thought of our troubled Canada and world, had they been alive?
For instance, we live in a troubled country and/or world where many people are scared to express their authentic opinions. They self-censor themselves out of fear of not being politically correct. They walk on eggshells in order not to offend anyone who may professionally and socially cancel them or try to prevent them from earning a living.
We also observe that many politicians are disconnected from the population (luckily not all of them). Some are even disconnected from the best interests of their country. For instance, their loyalty may be to an external source or a to a group of interest.
Who are or would be the next “Jack Layton” and/or next “Nelson Mandela” of the world? Who would dare working for the freedom of their people and for peace in our world?
Bambi will stop her questions here as she is getting sleepy now. Please feel free to share any opinion on this blog or more privately, if you prefer. Until then, this post will end with some famous quotes by both Mr. Layton and Mr. Mandela. May their respective memory be eternal. May fairness, peace, and love triumph over the dark forces of hatred and violence. May everyone live in safety and harmony, whether in Canada or abroad.
Jack Layton
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world”.
“Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world”.
“A prime minister’s job is to make sure the government works for those who have elected him, and not for big corporations”.
“To other Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope”.
Nelson Mandela
“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”
“Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.”
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy. The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials. It must have sufficient independence from vested interests to be bold and inquiring without fear or favour. It must enjoy the protection of the constitution, so that it can protect our rights as citizens.”
“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”
