Power of the People

 The past two weeks have proven on multiple levels and many forms that the power of the people can enact change. 

Darnella Frazier is the young teenager who pulled out her cell phone and started videotaping the police officers brutal force and murder of George Floyd. Her video which went viral and was seen millions of times all over the world and also helped convict the police officer of 3 charges. 

The official police department release was that a man had a medical episode while in police custody. Without this young lady’s video the police officer would never have been charged and fired. 

Last week the 12 richest soccer clubs in the world proposed a breakaway Super League which would have created massive wealth for the clubs and would have gouged the fans with overinflated ticket prices and merchandise. 

Supporters of the clubs especially in England rose up and protested their team’s involvement in this endeavour. Players of the teams also sided with the supporters and as quickly it was announced the league gave up on their intentions. Executives lost their jobs and were portrayed as greedy, narcissists who failed to gauge their supporters and players. Now the English teams are asking for a 50+1 rule where the supporters will have a say in the ownership of the team. It has worked very well in the German leagues. 

A group of 10-12 people in Ontario started a website where people can share their COVID stories. The site is myCOVIDstory.ca. We all have incredible stories of dealing with pandemic. Some have been tragic and heartbreaking. Many have been about our mental, emotional health and how it has wavered. 

Now the third wave is here. Nothing to do with Toffler’s third wave. My mental health has been all over the map. Right from day one of the pandemic, I was deemed essential and went into the office. I felt guilty about this when so many people lost their jobs or had their hours drastically reduced. Businesses were shuttered. 

As the months wore on I faked being well, people don’t fake being ill. I saw loved ones falling apart and at times I felt absolutely helpless. It was as if I had no fight in me. No fight in me to support my friends. I was numb to it. 

I checked in with friends and family on a regular basis as best as possible. At times, I did want to check out. Only fleeting thoughts. One of the activities that was good for my mental health was volunteering and like everything else the opportunities ceased. 

If it wasn’t for my wife, stepchildren, my grandson, friends and work colleagues I don’t know where I would be. They are my lifeline. Thank you. 

We will pull through this. The fatigue has deeply set in. Vaccines are here. I got mine. We are strong and will only get stronger. The power of the people will carry us through.