Your rights / Fight for them

Society does not respect the rights and freedoms of others, until some one says, "No!" The mentally ill, addicted and homeless will never enjoy these rights and freedoms without standing up and breaking the barrier between them and us.

Without resistance, we have lost our rights to break the silence and earn the rights and freedoms the same as any other Canadian. It will not be given to us on a silver platter. We will continue to be stepped on, ignored and silenced without any opposition.

We cannot expect miracles without some sort of action and a prayer. Instead of putting our palms out, we must clench our fists and demand these rights and freedoms and earn our respect. To fight back, we need a backbone and that lies in the heart of each and everyone of us.

We have something that government and society can never take away from us and that is our heart and souls. We have nothing else, but a small glimmer of hope. Violence never solves anything, it only makes it worse. Well thought and assertive words are mightier than the sword.

Through my work, I have proven for this to be true. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from the Saskatchewan Premier himself confirming the siuation accross the country and our willingness to stand up for ourselves.

I cannot do this alone. Sitting on the street corner all day for pennies will never gain the respect or the rights and freedoms we so heavily seek. I am offering you a platform to voice your stories, rights and freedoms that you desire at my own financial expense.

Instead of pennies, I want you to be permanently housed and supported with no strings attatched. You have the knowledge and wisdom to make government and society listen to you. Put the ball in their court and see what they will do for you. If we want something, we have to tell them what it is.

You have much more power than you give yourself credit for. You are human-beings with a voice, emotions and bleed red like everybody else. To gain respect, we have to earn it. Otherwise, fatalities on the streets will not only continue, but they will rise in numbers.

I don't want anymore of my friends and neighbours to die on Victoria streets. This is the bottom line. I don't want you to die on the streets. In my eyes, this is something very worth while in fighting for. Many of you lost your friends forever and it left a big whole in your heart as it did to mine.

I deeply appologize for my concerns. I don't want nothing bad to happen to you. Help me help you. My heart and voice are sincere and I only speak my truth. I honestly hope that my truth is also yours. Please be safe and I only hope to hear from you soon.