'as long as it them and not me' syndrome
Last year, I sat in a class and listened to a woman speak about something heavy on her heart—a reporter, much like herself. She shared the story of the missing women, especially those taken from our communities. There was a man in Nanaimo, accused of harming Aboriginal women, and she was set to interview him. As she approached his home, fear crept in. She stood at the door, her heart racing, hearing noises from inside. When the door finally opened, she felt a chill but pushed through, starting her questions. He answered her, and for a moment, it seemed okay. But then, she caught sight of a young Aboriginal girl in the background, and she breathed a sigh of relief. In her mind, she thought, “He only targets our women, so I am safe.” This woman’s feelings reflect many in society. She is a public figure, but I am one of those women at risk—my daughter and granddaughter are too. Just thinking about the possibility of my child facing violence from someone who hates Aboriginal wom...