For Fredericton

I’d just arrived in Fredericton as the events were unfolding. Once again in North America, a cowardly and senseless act of violence and murder had occurred. I texted with family and friends about the situation, and later in the day watched on a TV in a  dealership waiting room a Skype interview with the Premier. He expressed the difficulty of knowing how to respond or even feel inside after such a meaningless act of violence and murder. Across North America we’ve all been here before. Countless times. We’ve been here before as a country. We’ve even been here before as a province.

As many of you know, movies are more than just entertainment for me. Many of them, just like a good book, affect me and come to mind during certain contexts of life. Sometimes they provide me with a laugh, other times with inspiration, clarity, understanding, etc. I won’t name the one that helps me in times like this, because the scene I’m about to share may be a spoiler for you. But here’s the gist:

We see a peaceful tribe who live in the rain forests of southeastern Mexico who are attacked in the early morning just before most of them had even woken up. The men responsible are savagely cold and indifferent to human life. They kill women and children because they have no use for them; they are here to kidnap strong, able bodied men. Our main character is being tied up, beaten, held against his will and is about to see his father killed before his very eyes. What his father chooses to do with his last seconds of life has been imprinted in my mind for years, giving me a picture of true courage. With a knife at his throat he looks at his son with a deadpan expression and simply says, “Son. Do not be afraid.” Then, his innocent and wonderful life is taken meaninglessly and in cowardly fashion. It happened to us yesterday.

When I try to figure out how to respond outwardly to yesterday’s events, I end up feeling pretty powerless. I do, however, know how to respond inwardly. It eases that powerlessness; even makes me feel quite empowered. I can look evil in the face and say with confidence, “We will win. You will lose. Good people have seen every evil under the sun and survived. We will survive you. Killing isn’t going to defeat us. Your violence can only go so far, but our resolve is stronger than granite. Your arsenal can only get so big, but our refusal to stand down will outlast any number of bullets, bombs, or whatever else you’ve got.”

Let’s respond the way we all know any good Martimer would. With courage, steadfastness, love, and no fear.

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The above is not in any way linked to any of this week’s Movie of the Week nominations. However, there has been a clear winner. Despite the much loved scenes from all three, the little bug-eyed alien who can make BMX bikes fly has emerged victorious.

Congratulations. This is your week.

Best Actress:

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in .

Best Actor: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in

Best Quote: “Ouuuuch.” — E.T. in Btw, the alien was voiced by Pat Welsh, who we can also hear in . When Princess Leia disguises herself as a bounty hunter to rescue Han from Jabba the Hut, that weird alien voice she had was also Pat Welsh.

Just as an afterthought, I would love it if we never saw a picture of the perpetrator. Not even a name. I know that’s not going to happen, but it would be nice to know that whoever did this gets no “credit” and is simply forgotten. I say that hoping to not be giving in to hate, nor do I want to protect someone who has done such a terrible thing. But I’d love it if none of us knew his/her name but knew off by heart the names of the victims and heroes.