The Death of a Politician Brings the City Together

This past weekend, a well known city politician (Jack Layton) passed away in Toronto. He was known for his work that supported and spoke for those disenfranchised in the city- those who remain marginalized. He was what people refer to as a "family man". One who did not carry the same sense of self-importance that so many city politicians often do.

For many Torontonians, the death of Jack Layton was sad and deeply unfortunate. Having said that, I was still amazed at the outpouring of love, support, and caring so many people of Toronto demonstrated as a result of his passing. I had no idea so many people were so passionate about what this politician stood for. I even caught myself wondering how many of his mourners actually knew him and/ or knew his political platform all that well.


 Some argue that this kind of collective expression was a result of social media hype and the need to be apart of something that was making headline news.

Those who didn't really know the man still wanted to share their condolences and were critically condemned for doing so. The critics seemed like they wanted to take ownership over their sentiments regarding Mr. Layton's death with an immature "I loved him more" or "I loved him first" mentality.

I think that anytime love and compassion is demonstrated en masse in a city, no less, we should welcome it, not disparage it. All too often, we have our heads in the concrete sidewalks, living our seemingly separate and disconnected lives. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, this event was a reminder that we are more connected than we may otherwise think.

To those critics and nay-sayers who want to celebrate Jack Layton's life and mourn his death, just be happy that the city has come together with positive thoughts and caring sentiments, however misdirected some intentions may be.

Although it took a death to bring the city together (as this often happens with family and friends), it took the celebration of this man's life to remind us that we do, in fact, share this city... with caring hearts.