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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-8WF_Ke1_8

 

My comment on a story about becoming a father in THE GLOBE AND MAIL which is too much for them to publish: Something happens to people when they become parents. They start doing everything to their kids which when they were kids they hated having done to them. My father said to me, “I have hated you from the moment you were born as in that moment I realized I had to die.” I thought to myself, “Finally something that makes sense.” The next day I was interviewed by Michael Valpy for a piece published in THE GLOBE. When I told him what my Dad had said Michael replied, “First born sons.” I realized than this is something common to fathers. Did I hate my father for telling me that? No. I loved him all the more. He was a truly great man. My Mom was the best possible mother I could hope for. He was Roman Catholic. She was Church of England. She was 16. He was 19. That is a helluva age to discover our mortality. Their union at that time was more frowned upon than a union between people of different skin shades. Both were the Black sheep of their families. I am proud of them. My father prepared me for the 24 years in this city I have borne hatred without just cause which THE GLOBE documented in a story by Oliver Moore in 2012 which most everyone has chosen to ignore. Jane Jacobs’ kids tell me, “Our mother loved you.” I reply, “I love your mother.” From her book THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES I learned that when forces in a city seek to destroy a person they rig sex scandal. Well, as Oliver pointed out, they rigged a helluva one for me. My Dad, rest his soul, brought me up strong enough to stand up alone of need be when the moment calls. Jane Jacobs taught that when we see wrong being done and do nothing we die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YonLUG7gRyY

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