On hypocrisy ...

A value that is deeply important to me is integrity.  I interpret this as acting in accordance with one's morals, regardless of who is watching.  The opposite, then, might be hypocrisy ... saying one thing while doing another.  As an activist, one of my biggest pet peeves is being accused of hypocrisy.  

A group of folks gathered recently to make a scene at the entrance of the Canadian Open in Etobicoke. We were drawing attention to the role of the lead sponsor, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), in the climate crisis.  RBC is the fifth biggest investor in fossil fuel projects in the world. Most immediately, they are a primary investor in the building of the Coastal Gaslink Pipeline, which carries fossil fuels from the north of so-called British Columbia to the coast. This project has encountered significant resistance from the Wet'suwet'en people who have not consented to this work being done on their unceded territory. The response to their defence of their land, water and air has been violent invasions by the RCMP, police action reminiscent of the role of this particular force in the genocide of Indigenous people by the Canadian state. This isn't just the grumbling of some social justice warriors: a United Nations commitee has called for an investigation into the actions of the RCMP in this situation. 

So we showed up at the Canadian Open to make some noise, and let attendees know that RBC doesn't just fund golf tournaments, but also infrastructure that devastates environments and abuses human rights. While we were there, playing music, dancing, and sharing information, we were jeered at by the streams of golf-attire-wearing folks coming into and out of the event (why do you need to wear golf clothes when you're just watching?  Inquiring minds want to know). 

Here are some of my favourite barbs:

• Oil oil oil!  Jobs jobs jobs! (I'll refrain from a dissertation on the ways in which prioritizing a growth economy over social and ecological justice has caused the planetary health crisis)
• Get a job! (I have one! And I'm also here! In fact, I choose to earn less money to do this work because it's so important. The revolution will not be televised - or salaried)
• Don't you have anything better to do? (Oh gosh do I ever!  I really wish I didn't have to be here!  So many other things I'd rather be doing ... although activism can be really fun, a way to meet marvelous people, and a terrific outlet for creativity)  
• How did you get here?? (well, I rode my bike, 20km there and back, pulling a heavy trailer full of art installations; others took the bus)
• Your shoes are made of plastic!  (actually, the ones I was wearing were mostly made of bamboo and sugar cane, and the plastic they contained was recycled)
• That stroller is made of plastic! (yes, there were kids there ... protests are fun! and that stroller was on its 4th or 5th kid ... plastic is great for the purpose it was originally invented ... which is why it's so destructive to use it only once!)

I want to talk about the accusations of hypocrisy (the last three jabs).

The fact is that we live in this world, in this system. You wouldn't accuse a fish swimming in polluted water of being a hypocrite if they objected. Immersed in a system that prioritizes cars, capitalism, consumption, and conspicuous waste, it is nearly impossible to opt out. And those of us that make an effort to shrink our impact are told we're hypocrites because we're not perfect (I'm plagued with perfectionism already ... I don't need some drunk golf dude to add to it).

And honestly, opting out is a privilege in and of itself ... to go off into the woods, to live off-grid, to have access to safe land and clean water and sources of food. It is not hypocritical to point out that the system is fucked, and try to do what we can to change it, even if we have no choice but to live in it in the time being.

It's actually problematic that more of us aren't hypocrites.  If the only way to practice integrity is to not make an effort to change the system because we can't opt out, then we will collectively go extinct. And without resistance from the masses, the corporations will not willingly step down. 

But the most vulnerable will go first. And already have. Those with the resources to attend a golf tournament are the ones who are privileged enough to ignore the crisis until the world is literally on fire (uh ... which it is in some places ... that or under water). 

We don't need everyone to be perfect (because goodness knows that no one is).  But we do need most people - especially those with privilege and influence - to do more than they're doing.  If you're not sure where to start, contact me. You can start by moving your financial accounts from the five big banks (they're all in on it) to a credit union. 

The least you can do is not jeer at those who are pulling their own weight - and yours too.