Winners make the rules and write the history you read about. Many of these movers and shakers of the past did things that present-day social attitudes condemn.
Renaming schools and tearing down statues. Is that all there are folks?
Societal Change demands have influenced us all. The Aboriginal and Colored People of our nation have suffered horribly in the past, and continue to struggle against many forms of inequity, prejudice and societal fear. Young and old look for ways to make concrete changes to our society, even looking for ways to change what has happened in the past, to diminish historic personalities who have influenced our history, but have also been found guilty of what can be considered present societal crimes against the oppressed of society. What was done long ago, cancelled, massaged and reinvented? The Ryerson’s of the past, General Lee and even Prime Minister John A. MacDonald looked at differently, observed and judged by present-day society. The determination of specific groups, with their own objectives and ideology, seem to wish to cancel much of history, like an overzealous fan of book censorship.
The past is the past for a reason.
That is where it is supposed to stay,
But some cannot let it go.
In their heads, it eats away
Anger, fear and prejudice
sets within their minds and hearts too,
for if historic evil can persist in this land
so to demands for changing you.
Until all their focus becomes
The person they used to be,
The mistakes they made in their life.
Oh, if only they could see
Mistakes have been done historically,
great people with two personalities
to build up their society creatively
while depleting and oppressing others.
That you cannot change what happened,
No matter how hard you try,
No matter how much you think about it,
No matter how much you cry.
What happens in your lifetime
Happens for reasons unknown,
So you have to let the cards unfold.
Let your true story be shown.
Don’t get wrapped up in the negative.
Be happy with what you have been given.
Live for today, not tomorrow.
Get up, get out, and start living,
Because the past is the past for a reason.
It’s been, and now it is gone,
So stop trying to think of ways to fix or change it.
It’s done, it’s unchangeable; move on.
A bright future awaits us all
with hopeful anticipation it is clear,
that only through hard work, open-mindedness and determination
can a people bravely garner greatness, and subdue Fear.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
