Open Minds open Hearts

For my birthday last year my older brother bought me a book. He and I share a gene — we generally don’t like reading; but, every once in a while a book comes out that draws us in.

Murray Sinclair’s book entitled Who We Are is just such a book.

My genuine interest in the indigenous file stems back to my direct personal childhood experience living in a village that included a significant indigenous population. I use that word “include” lightly. They lived there, on the other side of the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, and only crossed over for provisions in our one grocery store or to attend school if they wanted or  to join in an organized activity in the Community Centre, if permitted. Interactions with the rest of us was rare, selective and often unpleasant — not because of them but because of us. Inclusiveness was not encouraged.

Our British imposed curriculum taught us the British version of historic  truth, and our gullible trusting minds lapped it up. In that statement alone stands the explanation of nearly two centuries of misinformation, stubbornness and guilt, that many continue to spew.

So honourable soft spoken, caring Indigenous leaders like Murray Sinclair, make it their life’s work to turn us back, open our eyes and our minds away from British indoctrination, and focus on helping right a wrong. Baby steps have been made and all hope has not been lost. I feel his optimism and share his optimism and spread his optimism whenever I have a chance.

The book is easy to read. The lines are nearly double spaced making it easier on the eyes of the visually challenged who prefer to read without wearing glasses!

If you need a nudge to shun the stereotypes you have held on to since grade school, this is a good place to start. IT does take a village to right a wrong as huge as this, and each of us has a role to play. 

Open minds create open hearts…we can do this!

BOB DYLAN

Once a Complete Unknown 

A new movie hit the Box Office this week and although I tend to not go to movies, I did get a movie gift card awhile back. When my friend Kerry asked if I was free to check out a new release, I said yes. 

The story of Bob Dylan “A Complete Unknown” was almost like a flashback to my younger dating days of going to a significant number of rock concerts. As a young man he idolized Woody Guthrie who wrote and sang a series of delightful folk songs in the sixties. His work ranged from story telling, to protests to highlighting social injustices. He was an inspiration and an idol to Bob Dylan who set out from his small town to New York to connect with the small club music scene and develop his career.

Bob Dylan was a loner and intellectual, with little patience for conventions, routine and repetition. His lyrics and style  changed the folk wave of the day and incorporated political, social and philosophy influences. He wrote songs with strong messages to make people think and didn’t seek to commercialize his work like others of the time did. To summarize his definition of music style and his frame of mind, I would say he was a counter-culturalist, a revolutionary, very much an individual, a gifted individual who eventually wowed his ever increasing audiences.  His work built a growing following of socially conscientious believers and respectful fans around the world.

The movie brings in familiar names like Joan Baez, Johnny Cash and Pete Seiger who were leaders or stars in the folk and protest movement of the day, destined to change the world. They tried to mold Bob and sway him from diverting too far off their course. But he was restless and ploughed forward with blunt, insightful lyrics, as well as instruments and music that were louder and stronger than anyone could have imagined in those days.

This movie is insightful, intriguing and informative. It has scenes of emotions, mystery, love, conflict, determination, failure and success rolling out the progressive life of a once complete unknown.