Move ahead three years to the present, and while COVID is still with us, it is not having the same grip on our existence that it once did. We are moving through our days with more confidence and normalcy.

But, today we are in a new pandemic of sorts — one that is showing itself to be more difficult to solve. It regularly mutates into another version, yet still lingers in its old form as well. I find it quite disheartening.

Social Intolerance — it is showing itself as an increasing rhetoric across our province and the world, especially as a rise in xenophobia:

• Anti-SOGI protests and misinformation campaigns
• Anti-Indigenous racism
• Anti-Semitic racism
• Anti-Muslim racism
• Anti-Asian racism

The rhetoric I see and read — the stereotyping of others, assigning characteristics that show them as ‘less‘ is everywhere. The news is filled with stories of hate, vandalism and violence. At times it feels overwhelming that there is so much anger directed towards others who are different — anger that expresses itself as fear that somehow their differences may ‘rub off on us‘ — that their very presence is somehow antagonistic to what is good.

I have blogged about racism and microaggressions in the past. They are topics I am passionate about speaking up against. As a leader within public education, I feel a moral obligation to be active in my opposition to misinformation, bigotry and hate.

This recently got me thinking again about The Season of Light. The use of light by many cultures at this time of year is both a symbol of cultural celebration as well as a guide to a more inclusive future.

You may have read my August post where I celebrated our daughter’s wedding and my big personal risk. Her new life partner and his family are amazingly beautiful people. They are of Sikh faith — a religion I admittedly am not as fully versed in as I’d like to be, but one that is filled with the values of family, generosity and acceptance. The emotionally warm welcome we received by Gurveer’s family this past summer eliminated any hesitation we might have felt wondering if we would be accepted. Siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and community members opened their arms and their hearts as we grew our family to include them. It literally brought tears to my eyes.

Light can do that.

The Season of Light is a great time to recognize that we are more similar than different … and where we do differ, there is no better time to learn more about each other.

Our schools do an amazing job of celebrating others and the wonderful gifts they have to give. This season is special because of that.

Part of my hope for the future is the knowledge that education continues to be the place that reduces ignorance and fear as it increases understanding and acceptance. If we are ever to beat the social intolerance pandemic, education must continue to be the voice of inclusion.

Light can do that.