I am writing with regard to the upcoming film
on Karla Homolka. I am not normally predisposed to writing to
newspapers about social issues but this one just wouldn't let
me go.
I did not know either Leslie Mahaffy or
Kristen French nor Paul Bernardo or Karla Homolka. I have only
been to St. Catharine's once or twice. Plainly put I am a
bystander like most of us, knowing only what I read, hear and
internalize.
I suggest that each individual truly sit back
and take a moment to understand, and evaluate their reasons for
wanting to see the film on Karla Homolka.
Ask yourself what your motivation is for
going to support this. Perhaps ask yourself what the motivation
of the director, producer and film industry is.
In the end how will you benefit? Will you
learn anything that will make you better for it? How might you
do something more powerful with the money
that you must shell out for this
experience?
I am not much of an activist. I prefer to try
to work on myself in the hope that as I do, my circles of
influence will benefit, and they in turn will be inspired to do
the same. It's kind of a "Pay it Forward" concept from a
personal growth perspective.
We can't solve the entire world's problems
single-handedly, but we can make informed thoughtful decisions
as to how we entertain ourselves, empower others and spend our
money doing it.
I believe that each of us has an opportunity
to be more than an inaudible presence by voting with our feet
and our dollars, our pens, and our voices.
Nothing makes a point to big business, big
labour, or big government like people voting in a way that
makes clear their feelings, disapproval, or endorsement.
Would we here in Sudbury be as eager to see
the Renee Sweeney, Daphne Kochar, or Joe McDonald story in full
colour, surround sound, and 20-foot high detail?
Darren Kleven
Greater Sudbury