​Proud of my town

To the Editor:

I am proud of the Kincardine council members for their work on the Secord Monument, and I think their efforts deserve recognition.

The decision was a long and difficult process for the community, and our council members went out of their way to hear the people of the town and to make decisions that prioritize our shared future instead of holding onto a more narrow view of our past.

As a life-long Kincardine resident, myself, from a family that was here before Dr. Secord, I’m glad to see our town taking more steps toward inclusivity. Our town, and our world, are not the same as they were 100 years ago.

Public commemorations of painful histories, or hateful on-line rhetoric, aren’t a part of a modern town where everyone can thrive; difficult conversations, respectful dialogue, and governments with the courage to enact change, are. I am relieved to see Kincardine choosing to thrive at the end of this long debate.

To those whose opinion lost out in the final vote, I encourage you that you still have a place here too. Inclusivity isn’t a zero sum game. There’s enough space, and enough welcome, for everyone here.

Losing a statue celebrating a local resident for his support of slavery doesn’t reduce our community, or your place in it. It just helps others to find theirs. Our town has so many features that deserve to be celebrated, and losing the dubious distinction of having Canada’s only confederate monument certainly won’t do us any harm.

And if you are upset that the municipal council has disagreed with you, you are entitled to your feelings about it. Maybe your grief in this moment can help you understand the grief others feel seeing reminders of systemic oppression celebrated in public in the communities where they are building their lives.

Let’s all remember to build toward a better community together instead of tearing each other apart.

Jon Farrell
Kincardine