Respect

In this day and age, you don't even have to turn on the TV to find out election results. Just log on to Facebook. The Winnipeg civic election was held yesterday, and people were madly posting their opinions of the results on their Facebook pages. (I'm assuming the same thing was happening on Twitter; I didn't check.)
The thing that really surprised (and disappointed) me was the lack of respect in people's status updates. Although Sam Katz was reelected as mayor, there was very little celebration online from his supporters. Instead, a torrent of "hate-updates" came pouring in from Wasylycia-Leis supporters. One of my friends commented on the fact that he hadn't seen any updates from Katz supporters and I can understand why. Who would want to voice their opinion when there's a good chance angry retorts will soon be spewed all over their walls?
It is one thing to be angry and upset about the election results. It's a completely different thing to take it online and start bashing other people's opinions. I find the status updates especially hard to swallow, since many of these people are normally championing equal rights for citizens of our city, province and country. Everyone is entitled to their opinion—isn't that what makes this a democratic society? I might not agree with people whose political leanings differ greatly from mine, but I also respect that they are coming from a very different perspective, and might have some valid points to offer.
It would be nice to see our latest election results motivating people to be more aware and active in their city council than just at election time. Write a letter to the mayor and make suggestions. Go to a city council meeting and see how the process works. Get behind local initiatives to build community gardens, ESL programs for immigrants, and summer camps for inner-city kids. How about working on a Habitat for Humanity home? Channel the anger into a positive force for our city. We might elect officials to run the city, but we also have a right and responsibility to help Winnipeg grow. Step away from the safety and relative anonymity of your computer and go make a positive impact on your city.