Minding the gap

Minding the gap

by Lindsay Wincherauk

What happened?

We have security guards in our grocery stores protecting the food.

We have police officers impersonating journalists so that they can arrest anti-poverty activists who use intimidation tactics and vandalism to push their agenda.

Gentrification of the DTES has begun a process where the pain and suffering of addiction, consequence, and neglect, has started to spread throughout the city to the point where you can't walk through any park, at least in the downtown core, without literally stepping over bodies. The body count continues on the street during a simple journey to the store as people are sleeping on the sidewalks all over town. A man with his hand out opens the door at a convenience store --- on the way out I wait for the door to open automatically, the man is gone.

If you live downtown, Amnesty International asks you every day, "Do you have time?" I lie. I just want to go to the store. On the way you pass protesters in front of a chicken restaurant trying to organize a boycott, the staff inside just want to earn a few dollars.

Speculators buy multiple units of condominium projects and play a big money game of "flip this house." At the same time we're trying to find solutions for homelessness.

No wonder homelessness is now at our doorsteps.

Perhaps, if residential real estate wasn't for profit homelessness would be greatly reduced? Dare to dream.

"How can we call ourselves free when the water that we drink comes from some factory."

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--- The Swollen Members.

Some make fortunes off the sweat of the less fortunate --- live in penthouses, drive fancy cars, and at the same time forget who really gave them the keys.

I think I need to stop looking if I want to keep smiling.

Vancouver is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. World class? We seem to have forgotten what’s truly important: people, including us, the tourists, and those who are less fortunate --- who happen to be brothers and sisters. Maybe the walk to the store has made us all cold and bitter. Have we become self-absorbed?

It’s no wonder that I’ve read in the paper every day this week: Lindsay’s heading back to rehab. Funny, I don’t recall crashing my Mercedes.

The Solution?

We can’t welcome the world with open arms unless we start being nicer to each other, therefore, smile, drop the attitude, and when you're buying your water, realize some aren't as lucky as you.

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As the announcer shouts out in London’s Underground: “Mind the Gap.” I’m not so certain Vancouver is minding ours.

We have security guards in our grocery stores protecting the food.

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A version of this article originally appeared in 24 Hours Vancouver, and although, Lindsay normally writes about what he sees in his home city of Vancouver (as it prepares for the 2010 Olympics), he feels that this is an accurate view of what is happening in our World today. And frankly, it makes him sad and he asks one question: Is the point of our journey through life the pursuit of fame and trying to get rich regardless of cost, both societal and individually?

Slow down people, life is too precious and if we don't --- we may miss the boat.

Lindsay is a Vancouver based author. For information visit http://www.seedenterprises.com/

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