By Maria Keselj
This November 9th, the school population gathered as we always do outside for our annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Uniquely present this year, however, was the spectre of the current political climate. Remembrance Day is a time to honour the sacrifices of the past and present which have earned us our freedom. This day carries a breadth of meaning for many in the school as we recall the atrocities and injustices of the past. This meaning is all the more amplified when one considers that these freedoms are being challenged, and that the legacy of these atrocities is being diminished.
Remembering past conflicts is important not only for honouring those who fought in them, but for reminding ourselves of how they cannot be repeated. The two World Wars have had tremendous impact on Canada and the world, and memorials like CPA’s Vimy Oak play a large role in awareness and education, especially regarding the crucially needed perception of war as a last resort. As Lieutenant Commander Al Blondin said at the ceremony, the role of the armed forces is to avoid conflict, and if they must fight, to minimize impact and casualties. This must not be forgotten, in a time when peacekeeping institutions such as the United Nations are being undermined by some of the world’s most powerful governments. The spirit of ‘never again’ which followed the Second World War and which engendered these efforts has reduced worldwide, as neo-nazism and far-right politics have risen to concerning levels.
President Emmanuel Macron warned this November 11th that “the old demons are rising again.” We must not sit by idly as extremism, nationalism, and bigotry rise -- yes, even in Canada. We must remember the suffering of the past which we hope to prevent, and we must remember the past efficacy of hope in bringing about change as well. If there was ever a reason for increased political discussion, engagement, and action, it is now.
This November marked 100 years since the end of the fighting of World War I. It is extremely important to remember the generations past, which endured this fighting for our free and relatively peaceful present. But in a time when the people are picking governments who are picking fights, we must also consider -- what will our generation be remembered for?
