Canada, our northern, frosty neighbor, is often the butt of a lot of jokes after an unfavorable election season. There are plenty of folks who, right about now, are looking into the option of emigrating to the land of Tim Horton's. Canada, in the eyes of those who feel endangered, marginalized, or just plain disappointed about our election results, is an option if things go downhill here. However, there’s something I’d like to point out about the perennial emigration comments which is particularly damaging: they are an expression of privilege.
Many people who have been and may be adversely affected by our coming political regime have no way to emigrate. They are tied down in social and economic ways which prohibit them from even entertaining the luxury of moving to the perceived egalitarian paradise of Canada.
Canada has problems of its own, and they don’t need a refugee crisis of white liberals flooding their borders asking for protection. If anyone were to flee to Canada for safety, it would be America’s Muslim community. They don’t seem to be the people promoting a mass migration, though. The problem here is that moving to Canada is, essentially, hiding from your problems. I’m sorry, but that’s what it is. Such a change of location, I might add, is a pretty permanent solution to a temporary issue. Don’t move away; vote. Don’t go to Canada in hopes that it’s all your progressive heart has ever wanted; it’s not. There are still pros and cons.
It is a pinnacle articulation of privilege to leave the problems you are given to solve and accustom yourself to a more comfortable environment. Rather than entertaining the idea of running away, facing the ugly, hateful mess of hate in our domestic politics is far more useful. Conflicts are solved when you recognize them directly.
So, the next time you see someone looking for apartment space in Toronto or Vancouver, see if they have a good reason. If they’re a potential political refugee, you should consider it a teachable moment. Show them that it’s their job, as a responsible citizen, to stand up for the people who are unsafe at this time; it is their job to stand up for families who are at risk of being torn apart and people vulnerable to hate crimes.
It is their job to speak up and to choose love and unity instead of hate.
Don’t run away. Face the terrible facts and do what is right.
Don’t move to Canada; just keep voting.
