#TorontoIsFailingMe: I ran against Rob Ford and suffered the consequences

Munira Abukar, 22
Rexdale
My parents came to Toronto from Somalia during the civil war. I’m the fourth of nine children: eight girls and one boy. I still live with my parents, in the same five-bedroom townhouse where I grew up. My dad has always supported us on a taxi-driver’s income; my mom stayed home and took care of us kids. My brother joined the Canadian military six years ago and helps with the bills. It’s been a challenge, but my parents are strong-willed and determined.
I loved growing up in Etobicoke. There were always kids around: whether you wanted to play soccer or basketball in the summer or build snow forts in the winter. There were always adults around, too—to help you if you were in trouble, or to scold you if you needed a scolding. Now I’m that adult: if I see a young guy outside and it’s 10 p.m. and I know he’s supposed to be at home, I’ll say, “Hey, go home!” and he’ll go right away. That’s a strong neighbourhood.
The first time I really got involved in the community was when I was 13. At the time we had a community centre with an after-school tutoring program. One day I showed up and the program had been shut down without notice. I was so frustrated. When Toronto Community Housing later held a meeting, my mom told me I should go and speak out. I did, and after the meeting we got our program back.
People in our neighbourhood often don’t have a strong sense of self-worth. Everyone is always telling them they can’t do things—and outsiders seem so surprised when they succeed. In 2010, I enrolled in the criminology program at Ryerson University. Someone asked me where I lived, and when I said Rexdale, they told me, “Wow. You live there and you go to school here?” It’s hard to imagine yourself sitting at a desk in university, if all your life you’ve been told university isn’t for you.
It’s the same with politics. I saw that my parents and the rest of the community were tired of voting for someone they thought would bring change and not seeing it happen. No one reflected their life experiences, their ideas and their beliefs. I wanted to demonstrate that there are options, so last year I entered the race for councillor in Ward 2. I ran against Rob Ford, knowing I had little chance of beating him. My goal was to show people that it’s possible for one of them to run for office.
What happened during the campaign shocked me. People wrote “Bitch” and “Go back home” on my campaign signs. Being a target made me feel incredibly vulnerable. Then my signs started disappearing. We let the city know, but they said there wasn’t anything they could do. After the election was over, whoever stole the signs placed them back up all over the neighbourhood—likely knowing I’d be fined for it. In total, there were 154 put back up, and in November I received an invoice from Municipal Licensing and Standards for more than $4,000. I’m still fighting the charge—I followed all the rules and shouldn’t be penalized. The racism hit my team pretty hard; it took a lot out of them. The youngest volunteer was only 11 or 12, and they’d never faced anything like it. But I tried to teach them we could persevere past it. People only do this because they have hate in their hearts; you don’t have to give them any space in yours.
—as told to Lauren McKeon
Dear Ford Nation: Fukk all of you and your crack-addled hero. Azzholes.
Dark Malt, you spell like some members of Ford Nation. Did you just simply defect to Tory County?
I’m no fan of Rob Ford or his politics either, but when you make comments like yours you participate in the same lowering of the level of discourse that so many Ford supporters engage in. Rise above that and attack the issues and policies you’re against, not the people who support them. This only furthers the already rampant partisan politics being played in this city.
it’s called “getting past the bad word detector”, numbskull. I know how to spell.
Why is it always our side that has to rise above it, raise the bar, offer sunshine and daisies when there’s fists and spit in our faces?
Fair enough. You’re right. This was just a reaction to the racism so often displayed by some members of Ford Nation. It makes me sad and angry that people like this still exist (and live in our city) but you’re right, this is not the way to address it.
I hate hate hate this city sometimes.
If you noticed only the “swears” are not spelled correctly.
the election sign theft and re-posting is criminal.
If she runs next year, she should take an inventory of her signs and document them with a picture and a number somewhere inconspicuous. If they get stolen, they can at least demonstrate to the city that it was mischief…
Because if you don’t, you’ve already lost.
Dear Munira: I think you are incredibly brave on so many levels, for taking a stand and being an advocate for the unprivileged in our city. Keep fighting, stay positive and courageous in your battle for a better tomorrow. Those ‘individuals’ who tried to attack you and your campaign members are cowards and despicable in character. they’ll get there ‘just desserts’ by the creator. May God continually Bless you.
Dear Munira: I think you are incredibly brave on so many levels, for taking a stand and being an advocate for the unprivileged in our city. Keep fighting, stay positive and courageous in your battle for a better tomorrow. Those ‘individuals’ who tried to attack you and your campaign members are cowards and despicable in character. they’ll get there ‘just desserts’ by the creator. May God continually Bless you.
Except that cliche has been proven wrong time and time again.
Disgusting. Thats what happens in a country ran by rich white ignorant greedy privilege people. Js.
It is great to see you, Munira, involved in politics.
I’ve met Rob Ford. You are not going to beat him. He is a pure retail politician. You should actually volunteer to work with him and gain experience. He is not like the media portrayal at all. You also have to look at the whole city – not one little ward.
It wasn’t just Munira who had signs removed and reposted. During the muni election, I volunteered with Andray Domise who also ran in Ward 2. We had signs taken down in the hundreds and posted in illegal areas day after day after day. We found signs for Munira, Andray, Chow and Tory pulled up and tossed pver a fence into waste ground. We took photos every time and sent them in to the city. Yes there is always a certain amount of this, but in Ward 2 last fall it was epidemic. You have to wonder whose tiny minds were behind it.
Couldn’t care less about what you think. Our forefathers and those who made this great country. Your country is nothing but a bunch of lunatics who killed innocent people trying to help feed your country. This isn’t your country nor your city. I’m not a fan of Ford or for that matter any political azz hole. They only know one thing, bribes corruption and running huge deficits. You should write about awareness to Somalia, if your complaining of your living conditions here on my tax dollar then go home with your eight brother and sisters. I do not share or care about your awareness propaganda. Do what people do when they don’t have anything. Do whatever you can to work and keep that job until a better one comes along. Too long has Canadians turned the other cheek, made changes to our heritage that spans hundreds of years. Write about becoming a Canadian and thanking the rest of us that pay your way, then you have my fullest respect. All this blah blah blah about how bad you have it when so many others in far worse conditions would kill for your spot.
One of the reasons the inner suburbs are having such a hard time of it is that they keep on electing incompetent councillors to city hall. For all Rob Ford’s supposed talent as a retail politician, he did very little for ward 2 during his ten years as councillor. Great at returning phone calls but no vision or action beyond individual constituent problems. And Doug Ford did the square root of bugger all for ward 2 during his four years as councillor. But hey, ward 2 residents overwhelmingly voted for a sick man and all the other inner suburban wards voted back the same old incompetent dudes. Kudos to Munira for trying to make a difference and we need more people like her to show up in city politics.
You didn’t read the article very well. Her brother is a serving member of the military. She did the most civic minded thing citizens do when their government fails them – she ran for office.
You are sad bigoted person who is more intrested in keeping your country White than looking at the truth.
You have no clue who I am so don’t generalize, no I don’t apologize for the racism by others during her campaign or anything else. If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen. I have many friends with a multitude of different colours, however I won’t allow myself or others that work hard and we pay for these immigrants to enter Canada, Toronto in this case. There is racism every where by all colours so actually your the one who is racist because I didn’t use colour, you did. I work hard and pay my taxes so these people have the privilege to enter Canada. So before you say I’m a bigot or anything else, check your own front door.
You are a disgusting racist Mark Anthony. She was born in Canada and has every right to participate in public life! You are white trash! What happened to her is criminal!
Look I don’t care about what country, my comparison is that Canadians work very hard to have immigrants land in Canada. A large portion that can’t speak or will never be able to find a good job not because it’s their fault. However I won’t apologize because when you enter a ring in any country, even Somalia, one can be certain to be hated for all kinds of reasons. It’s just the way it is and it is just that. I don’t dislike this person, I couldn’t care less, however I won’t apologize for being white and doing ok in the job market. I have worked hard and I get up every morning and work my butt off. I’m also in a ring every day, it’s part of life. The sooner she realizes this instead of poor me the better. Blacks hating on whites, vice versa, it is and probably always will be and now even so much more because of religion. What happened to her is actually quite normal and you have to just keep moving ahead instead of blaming others. It’s criminal and unfortunately that is what happens to those that seek office. I have seen it many times. I did not comment on her colour or origin but simply told the reality of what the world is like right now. That’s the truth of it and it’s sad. However if she reads this then she isn’t the only one who has faced racism. I have faced it as well but I don’t let or blame others or do I worry about it. It is what it is. Period.
Perhaps but when a person needs to sink to profanity, they’ve already lost the argument.
Aww that’s adorable that you would even say something like that. Not everyone is a puritan, grown ups can swear and still be mature. You don’t have to swear yourself but stop being so naive.
Do some research. We need our immigrant populations – they are paying YOUR way. The Canadian government is not altruistic. They let in as many people as needed to keep social programs running. It is an equation and you show your ignorance being so arrogant. You need her and her siblings if you want a pension for instance. You, dear bigot, are a minority in Canada. At least I truly hope so.
Actually the article says her father paid their way driving taxi .
Nobody is telling you to apologize for being white. In fact, you’re the one who just lambasted her for being Somalian… Sure, lets pin all of Somalia’s issues on this 22 year-old women – that makes sense! If you truly can’t see why what you have said is problematic, all I can say is that it’s a damn shame that I have to call myself a Canadian alongside a disgusting human cesspool such as yourself. I am deeply sorry to any individual who has to actually interact with you in real life. And before you go back to some racially-charged defence (maybe about how, even though you’re white, you’ve gone through the same thing they have (as immigrants…)? that was a great one!), I am speaking as a fellow white, canadian male. I sincerely hope that in the future you are able to re-evaluate the person you are and the words you speak/write, however that would involve the use of critical thinking and self-reflection and I’m willing to bet you don’t have sufficient faculties for such a thing…
Don don’t mind Mark Anthony as he clearly didn’t read the article. he just wanted to get some hate speech out and show us how racist he is. hes proud of it. he has no interest in actually being true canadian and excepting differences in others. if he was a real upstanding person he would have seen the valour in her perseverance and her message. he probably doesn’t realize his “fore fathers” where probably dragged here kicking and screaming like most other canadians who built this land or fled here from a war or some sort of other civil unrest just to arrive here and be like the other canadians who make up this country. he also doesn’t seem to realize that she’s the one he’s soon gonna need to get his dumb self outta legal trouble when he cant contain his racist rants.
When you face racism in fact it’s not racism. I say this because a non-white who doesn’t like you for racial reasons doesn’t have the mainstream system of Canada backing them like a racist white person does.
Thanks for saying this LizK! Waaaaay too many Canadians (mostly European Canadians) whose ancestors either facilitated a genocide or enjoyed – down to this descendant – the privileges of the massacre of the original Canadians fail to understand that they are the ones who are the leaches in most of colonized earth from Canada to Australia, Africa in between down to the West and East Indies.
It is the natives that gave the European refuge from oppressive landlords, monarchs, popes and other oppressors. Now, it is the immigrants that shall give them refuge from their greed and “way of life” by financing their parents’ and their own retirement.
Thanks again!!!
I would just like to say that I am a white Canadian and this comment does not represent me or the majority of us at all. Also, the statement “You have no clue who I am so don’t generalize” might have made me laugh if it wasn’t so annoying. Everyone remember to try not to feed the trolls. I am hoping that is what this is and that he is just good at it.
With your logic (or lack there of), you should get into stand up comedy. Actually, never mind, you’re just not that funny.
good for you, well done. fall down six times, get up seven… fords karma is on spot, now you claim yours.
Yeah, well. We can congratulate ourselves for having scruples and principles until the miniseries comes out, but we know damn well the other side isn’t going to play that way. They’re going to keep fighting dirty and they’re going to keep winning because they’re prepared to do things that we’re not. What do you suggest we do about that?
all right, way to move those goalposts, Tommy. First it was about allegedly bad spelling and then when everyone explained that to you, you claim it’s all about “swearing”. Great job.
What was that about losing an argument again?
You are young yet…in four years try again. Tell us before the election and there are some of us, even out here in BC, who will help you because we believe in strong young women like you and we think our country needs the sort of leader you could be.
I suggest we keep running clean, intelligent, meaningful campaigns. And I suggest we tell it like it is when people steal our signs and then the city charges us afterwards. There is a good chance, if we keep kicking the shins of nasty power, that some of us will win. Then I suggest we become clean, intelligent and meaningful leaders…it can happen.
Good luck in la la land with your hopeful ideals, the rest of us will be living over here in reality.
You do not have the corner on reality.
True, and you’re still welcome to go around sticking daisies in rifle barrels.
Lack of hope is the loaded gun. If leaders in any part of the world refuse to let hope enter their reality they will be sucking the smoke of that there is no question. Have it your way. Let your young men believe life can only be endless bleakness…I’m just saying there are people who still believe in hope and if this young woman has courage to run again some of us will support her.
If I fall down and get up so that I’m standing again then it’s actually physically impossible for me to get up again. So I can’t actually fall down six times and get up seven, I can only fall down six times and get up six.
God, why are people SUCH DICKS!!!?
I understand that the City can’t do much unless they know who is doing it, but maybe releasing a statement about common decency and reminder of the fines for tampering?
Yawn, not sure, I stopped paying attention to you – there was a bug on my monitor screen. Please carry on being boorish, don’t stop on my account…
Ford Nation, hand your passports back, please. Rob doesn’t like you very much. Really. Rob shows his contempt for taxpayers. Tax-paid party boy.
BREAKING: Local idiot claims to be not paying attention to man even though he’s replying to his post; onlookers point and laugh at him for being an idiot
yeah, that’ll do the trick, I’m sure. Maybe they didn’t know it was illegal. lol
I’m confused. You have a 5 bedroom government subsidized house but your father supports you? You talk about poor and 9 kids and do not see the problem here?
Destroying her signs is dispicible but it’s not Ford Nation. There are idiots in every party. While I regret their idiocy, this has nothing to do witrh Rob Ford. This young girl has an opportunity to make something of herself. It’s a shame she wants to hitch her wagon to the racism train
Ward 2 candidates for the 2014 Toronto Municipal Elections: Rob Ford, Luke LaRocque, Andray Domise, David Caravaggio, Ranjeet Chahal, Gary Paterson, Ataul Malick, Theo Lagakos, Doug Cronkite, Michelle Garcia, Benn Adeoba, George Singh, Edmund Bueno-Bradley and yourself.
Why are you blaming HIM for your whatever stolen signs AND whatever misfortunes in your life?
That’s how you always blame others when you lose in life?
Learn to lose with dignity IF you wanna get respect from those around you.
BTW, nobody is after you b/c of you particular religion as long as you do not start sympathizing with damn freakin’ islamist extremist ISIS terrorists.
Good Luck out there.
http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/cmlink/7.572809?hootPostID=8b9d1e37cd1c120debe02a412ab42e4e
Nice bit of insinuation that your ‘attackers’ were from the Ford camp.
You wrote: “People in our neighbourhood often don’t have a strong sense of self-worth. Everyone is always telling them they can’t do things”
Well, uhm. I grew up in a similar town, with similar people acting like total losers. I had a laugh, packed my bags and moved to Toronto where I’m now looking to buy a second condo.
There’s opportunity for everyone everywhere, those who sit around being preached how they ‘can’t do things’, that’s their own fault.
Strange to have so many hillbilly rednecks in the middle of a big city like this……
And to Toronto Life magazine and especially one of your employees, Lauren McKeon: Why haven’t you fact-check the story BEFORE you decided to publish it on line? Did you ask her what solid proof does she have to blame Rob Ford for her stolen signs, you just simply took her word and ran with it simply b/c you badly needed a non-white muslim person to blame a white conservative politician for her problems in life. You’re lucky no defamation suit from Rob Ford against your paper, YET.
Do you like how Rolling Stone magazine got caught with a fake story when they did not fact-check all the details in the so-called “rape” victim and then they had to officially apologize for the huge blunder, are you Toronto Life gonna apologize as well?
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/a-note-to-our-readers-20141205
For one you have no proof that anyone from Ford Nation had anything to do with any racism.And Mr. Malt your comments show what type of person you really are which is Fake,Hate filled,devil worshipper as per your photo. If you knew anything about politics you would know that Mr.Ford has saved the rexdale community million of dollars in taxes and he was the one who got the north albion community center built. And please look up the word addict and learn how to spell it before you use it in a sentence. It’s people like you that make the hole community look bad and for your reference it is spelt FUCK AND ASSHOLE which you surely are.
You must be really bored to keep responding. Did you dog/cat/gerbil/girlfriend/inflatable doll run away?
Hate filled devil worshipper! BAAAHAHA!
That’s great! LOL!
Do you even Star Wars dude? #yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924 a:hover, #yiv8111418924 a:hover span {color:#1188d2!important;}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924button-cta:hover {color:#ffffff!important;background-color:#1188d2!important;}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924button-cta:hover span {color:#ffffff!important;}#yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924outlook a {padding:0;}#yiv8111418924 body {width:100% !important;}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924ReadMsgBody {width:100%;}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924ExternalClass {width:100%;display:block;}#yiv8111418924 _filtered #yiv8111418924 {}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924content {width:100%;}#yiv8111418924 table {border-collapse:collapse;}#yiv8111418924 h2.yiv8111418924headline {font-weight:700;font-size:20px!important;margin-bottom:5px;}#yiv8111418924 .yiv8111418924button-cta {display:block!important;padding:0!important;}#yiv8111418924 div.yiv8111418924header {padding-top:20px;}#yiv8111418924 div.yiv8111418924footer {padding-bottom:20px;}#yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924 #yiv8111418924 p.yiv8111418924mod-tools a:hover {color:white!important;background:#8c989f!important;}#yiv8111418924 _filtered #yiv8111418924 {}#yiv8111418924 td.yiv8111418924avatar img, #yiv8111418924 td.yiv8111418924spacer img {width:28px!important;}#yiv8111418924
Now that you called him out, he’s going to have a hard on for you. He’s truly a sad individual.
THIS JUST IN: Area man continues to embarrass self, is the one that keeps replying #yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048 a:hover, #yiv5270078048 a:hover span {color:#1188d2!important;}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048button-cta:hover {color:#ffffff!important;background-color:#1188d2!important;}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048button-cta:hover span {color:#ffffff!important;}#yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048outlook a {padding:0;}#yiv5270078048 body {width:100% !important;}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048ReadMsgBody {width:100%;}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048ExternalClass {width:100%;display:block;}#yiv5270078048 _filtered #yiv5270078048 {}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048content {width:100%;}#yiv5270078048 table {border-collapse:collapse;}#yiv5270078048 h2.yiv5270078048headline {font-weight:700;font-size:20px!important;margin-bottom:5px;}#yiv5270078048 .yiv5270078048button-cta {display:block!important;padding:0!important;}#yiv5270078048 div.yiv5270078048header {padding-top:20px;}#yiv5270078048 div.yiv5270078048footer {padding-bottom:20px;}#yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048 #yiv5270078048 p.yiv5270078048mod-tools a:hover {color:white!important;background:#8c989f!important;}#yiv5270078048 _filtered #yiv5270078048 {}#yiv5270078048 td.yiv5270078048avatar img, #yiv5270078048 td.yiv5270078048spacer img {width:28px!important;}#yiv5270078048
This happens to literally every candidate for office (including Rob Ford). It is the cost of doing business. People are a holes.
That said, buck up. You are an adult, and don’t require our pity.
Reality like the democracy we live in? Where respecting democracy means not f–king up elections? What’s your point?
Dude, her brother is in CF. That puts him above you (and your incoherence). Stuff your t-shirt slogans about who’s more Canadian on that basis alone – this family is a Canadian military family and you’re an Internet-commenting clownshoe contrarian. From what I see your personal contribution to our “heritage” is piss-poor, so you can stop patting yourself on the back and bloody well respect this family. With Canada now in Iraq, Poland, you name it – your licence to yap about who’s doing enough for this country just ran out. Nice tough-talk act but your bitter sad BS has no place in the face of this young woman running for office and her brother serving this country. They are leading by example. Zip yer yap and show some friggin’ respect son.
….. those who would try to hold you back will fail. i very much appreciate your quote “People only do this because they have hate in their hearts; you don’t have to give them any space in yours.” may you continue to be a leader in your community and inspire strength. thank you
Firstly, this young woman wants to represent all of north etobicoke but her campaign video i watched only focuses on the kipling and dixon region and their youth wich isnt fair at all! They claim to be far from a bus stop and have low income but they Have one of the fastest TTC routes that run every 5 minutes! I respect the fords because they catered to everyone within the north etobicoke region, and tried their best to have a voice! It would be nice to see a change but quite frankly i dont think this young woman would do a good job representing all nations living in etobicoke! Secondly, what etobicoke youth need is a proper recreation facility, or stable afterschool programs as well as faster TTC routes mainly on the Martingrove line, where it is faster to get acess to other routes!
Rob Ford needs to apologize, pay that $4000 dollar fine before the cancer takes his life. But if it does, his trust should be paying up for this.
Once a bully, always a bully.
I have no doubt Ford volunteers were the ones vandalizing, stealing and illegally putting back the signs.
It’s in line with the quality of people that would support the Ford buffoons.
“For one you have no proof that anyone from Ford Nation had anything to do with any racism.
Umm………..except they supported a rampant racist, so that is pretty much, having something to do with racism.
No proof??? … http://www.vice.com/en_ca/read/doug-fords-first-mayoral-debate-had-it-all-racism-homophobia-and-police-intervention-665
Devil worshipper?
Normally you are right but we have seen the reality of the Ford Fantasy and their bottom feeding knuckle dragging followers, this is what they deserve.
The delusion of Ford Nation knows no bounds, come back to reality people.
The unfortunate reality of Ford Nation, the bottom of the gene pool.
One wonders if Ward 2 is beyond saving.
Have you seen the videos of the loser of a former mayor, seems he was riding the racist gravy train quite well on his own, probably why Ford Nation relates to him.
I think he is exactly as portrayed in the various videos where we have seen the reality of the Ford Fantasy.
To Munira,
I wish I could say that this type of treatment surprised me. I think you are a leader in your community and a light for all those around you who feel as though they will not be able to overcome their setbacks and lead the life they want to live. These systemic challenges, and how you overcome them, in my opinion will only strengthen your ability to succeed in becoming an active voice and leader in a society that actively and openly tries to hold you back. I wish you and your team the greatest luck should you choose to run again, and know that your strength, determination, ambition, and spirit will prevail!!!! Good luck to you!!!
Fords are racists, obviously, and done way more harm to Rexdale, Etobicoke, Toronto than good. Facts.
Dark_Malt is merely giving voice to the anger so many of us felt at the way the Fords hijacked civic discourse in this town. They and their proudly ignorant followers poisoned debate around transit, taxes and so many other issues for the past four years and it will be some time before we can get past how Ford Nation lowered the bar in this town. I totally understand the anger so many feel towards the Brothers Dimm.
I find it shocking that Toronto Community Housing has provided assistance to live in a 5 bedroom townhouse for at least nine years while the family continued to grow and the outrage over services removed. How long does the rest of society have to pay? My family were poor immigrants and we never took anything from anyone, Both my parents worked our way into the middle class. It’s easy to blame your treatment on being a minority. We were a minority and just tried harder. It’s a shame what happened in the campaign but if she had proof, she should press charges, if not, she should stop libeling Rob Ford and his campaign.
This nation run by white people is the best country on earth. What are you complaining about? would you like to live somewhere else?
Terrorists aren’t welcome in Canada.
I share your sentiment… I think its because of its roots in religion… most of the religions tell people to treat others the way you’d like to be treated and to be forgiving… I say fck that… I won’t start trouble but if someone starts a battle then I’m going to fight back… I’m not some jesus like being that will turn the other cheek. If I did that I’d be knocked out dead by now (metaphorically speaking).
Nah the best countries are constantly reported as being the Nordic countries (ie Sweden). We’re doing okay, especially compared to our southern neighbours, but we have areas of improvement regarding homelessness, Aboriginal rights, mental health, and neoliberal policies we need to deal with.
What are you implying (besides that they had too many kids which I blame religious constrictions on)?
That makes no sense… You do realize you are blaming people for being told they are worthless right? Must be nice to grow up in a little bubble where you weren’t subjected to emotional/psych abuse on the regular. I am going to assume you know nothing about psychology or the self fulfilling prophecy. But for sure you lack compassion and empathy, even though you can relate which is worse!
LOL aaah the old classic I have black friends or minority friends so I can’t be racist! I’m sure your fellow racists or idiots buy that line but the rest of us see through your facade. And all Canadians are immigrants… unless you are Aboriginal? So don’t get so high and mighty because your ancestors were immigrants and not you.
I love how his whole rant was complaining about immigrants and how his tax dollars support them then when called out on it, like a punk he says ooh I don’t actually care about that!! suuuure he doesn’t. His xenophobia is practically dripping off the screen.
If your family is white or white passing you had alot more going for you than just hard work. Many minority members work hard and do all the right things but don’t get ahead. Try not to buy into the myth of meritocracy too hard.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-crosleycorcoran/explaining-white-privilege-to-a-broke-white-person_b_5269255.html
Why you don’t tell everybody you canvassed, campaigned AND voted for Olivia Chow therefore you really had a big dog in the fight to go anti-Ford.
Am I right, Liz K?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152100260645378&set=pb.515125377.-2207520000.1421934919.&type=3&theater
Seriously? This woman needs a reality check. Immigrants as victims: Toronto is getting tired of this woe-is-me tale. Better to be the hero and move on. The journalist would be well advised to write in a more balanced fashion.
Or at least shoot some video (before and after) next time, showing your team putting up the signs (noting each location), and then driving by afterward when they’ve been illegally removed. Doing so might not catch anyone in the act—then again, it just might—but it would be handy as a reference/pubic defense (especially if you go on television) when you REFUSE TO PAY THE FINES. Use the media to your advantage, just like every other politician does, even if it’s after the fact. Video speaks volumes these days.
DUUUUHHHHHHH
Lol when babylon falls you wont be saying that
Munira, I am sorry you didn’t win. You sound like you would be a wonderful representative of your community! Including people of all ages on your team is a great way to give them agency and make a difference. The nastiness you were bombarded with is, sadly, a mark of the hateful divisiveness that has invaded our city in the past 5 years. I hope it will end and we can go back to being an inclusive, welcoming place. Please keep striving toward your dreams – I can’t wait to see you in local government!
Read section six of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
There’s no law ‘forcing’ anyone to sit there being preached how ‘worthless’ they are.
You’re free to leave at any time, it’s a big country and lots of opportunity/jobs everywhere.
So yeah: Suck it.
I am glad you lost………You are an embarrassment to Ryerson University….Get a real job and stop whining…
I am a Rob Ford supporter and do not support inexperienced people like this who think someone owes them a job…Stop Insulting over 300,000 citizens in Toronto….
She claims people in her neighborhood don’t have a strong sense of self-worth, that “everyone is always telling them they can’t do things”. Who is “everyone”? I know it’s not the schools who promote kids on through the system whether they deserve to be passed on or not. Is it her family, culture, religion? Is it her friends…. if so, she should have stopped hanging around with such “Debbie Downers” and found a more positive bunch with whom to socialize. I am truly perplexed as to who “everyone” is and how on earth this merits a “Toronto is failing me” hashtag.
Munira claims that people in her neighborhood don’t have a sense of self worth, that “everyone is always telling them they can’t do things”. Who is “everyone”? It’s certainly not anyone in the education system as kids end up with diplomas whether they can read, write, spell or do math properly. Is it her family, culture, or religion? If it’s her friends, then she should have dumped the “Debbie Downers” and socialized with a more positive bunch. I’m truly perplexed by who “everyone” is and why on earth this merits a “Toronto is failing me” story.
Why the fuck would I leave from my home country? To appease radicals like yourself? No thanks I will be fine… Just because one acknowledges the flaws of their society and doesn’t drink the political kool-aid doesn’t mean they want to leave. I think we have areas to improve upon and areas we are doing good in.
The Charter of rights and freedoms does not explain you placing the blame on people being ridiculed… I am going to have to conclude that you have some intellectual problem that makes you unable to understand and answer questions directed at you.
People in the neighbourhood essentially… Somalians in Rexdale and Etobicoke are regarded by other residents as the lowest of the low… you will have carribbean and other African people talking negatively about them. If we arranged black people along a hierarchy they have been placed at the bottom. In my school when a somali performer came there was silence and boos from the crowd. This is prevalent among teens and adolescents. Not sure if it is better among adults, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t similar… after all racism/bigotry is taught and learned
Munira Abukar, I proud that your a leader in a world that’s full of sheep. I believe even if you didn’t win that you set a precedence, but showing cohesiveness in your community and among members of your neighborhood. Keep fighting the good fight…. I’m always routing for the underdog! People like you pave the way….
Oh dear…
Are you that B.C. woman who missed the ferry?
It’s not about whether she deserved the job or not, it’s about the personal attacks and discrimination she had to face along the way.
If someone doesn’t like her, then explain what policies of hers you disagree with, and give reasons why they are wrong headed; don’t just attack the person.
Your mind goes into odd tangents it should be studied XD
LOL
You just nailed it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq7DW6HBqDE
It’s a general statement, not a scientific one. Relative to the way humans have lived in the past, we live an incredibly privileged life. Sure, there may be better places, but it becomes a matter of splitting hairs when you’re comparing countries to Canada.
I mean this with all due respect – go somewhere else. This white culture everyone fashionably loves to bash has allowed you to live, a clean, healthy and free lifestyle. I hate to break this to you, but other nations not run by whites are generally places where you have to constantly look over your shoulder in fear. I have spent some time in West Africa and let me tell you – it is hell, compared to what we have here. You should be grateful, and count your blessings every night before you go to sleep.
You make me sick
What have I said to make you react this way? I’m only telling you the truth. I lived in a mud hut in Africa for almost 3 months – no running water, no toilet, no electricity, very little food, nothing to eat with but my hands and people walking around with AK-47’s. If you’d like to go live there – go. Like I said, you should count your blessings every day.
you think Africa was always like this? Right now youre speaking from a place of ignorance. European colonizers have colonized the world to financially benefit and put whites at the top of a systematically flawed white capitalist society at the expense of all majority non white countries. They have invaded, stole killed murdered raped and taken over every single country the white man has entered. so please do some research . You act as if they ask to live in mud huts while europe and western countries suck the natural resources out of their rich continent so that their white families can live comfortable and sleep peaceful at night. you disgust me
My dear, you keep blaming white people and you’ll never improve yourself. As long as you’re focused on how “oppressed” you think you are, you can’t focus on actually changing your situation. Just a little over 1% of the entire US population owned slaves. And white people were the ones, instrumental in abolishing slavery – something that has been practiced by every culture since the beginning of time. It was Africans that sold other Africans like cattle to mostly Jews, for their own profit – but you obviously haven’t done your research. The white christian values are what made America great. And all this talk about sucking natural resources – there a select few powerful people that make these decisions, not the random white person you walk by on the street. What you should be disgusted by is your constant blame shifting – take responsibility for yourself. Do you own an iPhone by any chance? Do you ever shop at the dollar store? If so, you are a hypocrite. There are modern day Chinese slaves dying to create these products and getting paid next to nothing, barely able to feed their own children. But you only want to see how hard you think you have it. You must learn the truth. It’s far too easy to hate on old whitey than it is to learn about what actually takes place, behind the scenes. You are my sister and I hate to see you in a blind rage, free yourself. In love.
>”Wow. You live there and you go to school here?”
My take on that comment is that it is really difficult to commute to Ryerson from that part of the city. I just checked on the TTC web site and it says that it would take 75 min. one-way. Wouldn’t the Univ. of Guelph Humber campus have been an easier triip? (But i do sympathsize about the other stuff.)
Don’t give up the fight to contest the $4,000 bill regarding your election signs. The people who stole them and then put them back up knew what was going to happen, so they’ve been in election campaigns before. During the previous mayoral campaign the worst offenders who left their signs up were some councillors who won, never paid their fines, and Municipal Licensing/City of Toronto never went after them, dropped their pursuit. You’re in the right. Persevere in that. Appeal the fine however possible.
You have no doubt, but you also have no proof. You are, literally, prejudiced.
‘Ford Nation’ is largely non-white. Check the demographics of rexdale. Most of his supporters look like the young woman who is the subject of this article. So shake your fist all you want at the redneck bogeyman. He doesn’t exist.
Every comment represents the views of the commenter and no one every claimed differently. Why you’d feel the need to state that Mark Anthony’s comment doesn’t represent your views is puzzling.
Joydot also apparently believes that cancer is caused by karma, so it’s not surprising that joydot can’t count.
Mark Anthony is probably smart enough to realize he’s never going to see a state pension. You have to save for your own retirement, regardless of how many brothers and sisters this young woman has.
Interesting how you refer to every white person of European dissent as a “leach”. You meant ‘leech’, of course, but you’re too dumb to realize it. Anyway, referring to every white person you see as a parasite is a really hateful thing to do. Also, really inaccurate. These people are the descendants of people who built the city, the country, and the world of opportunities you get to enjoy. So, perhaps you should attempt a little less skin-tone-based hatred and a little more appreciation of history. If the original inhabitants of this country hadn’t been displaced, you wouldn’t be reading this right now on a computer in a heated space.
Try not to buy into the myths you’ll see published in the Huffington Post.
I hope he’s ‘smart’ enough to never need a library for his children, solid education, highways, public transit……the bottom line remains the same. The Canadian population needs immigrants to be able to survive; and has for years. Tell me what country your grandparents or their parents came here from. We need immigrants for the idea and reality of ‘Canada’ to exist.
Just because he was speaking as if it was the view of Canadians or even the majority. I thought it might have been a given but I really should remember that nothing is given and to be a lot more specific at times. I hope that unpuzzles it for you. I am kind of hoping that it does but if not I can pick out specific examples but I just wanted to check my email before bed and I hate when the emails pile up so I was hoping that it would become evident why I felt a need to explain that not all, or even a majority of Canadians feel this way and I also thought it would be a good idea to mention that I felt this might be trolling because people tend to be better about ignoring it when it is made apparent like that. Have a great night.
No, he never claimed to speak for anyone but himself. He was just stating his opinion, and that’s all.
I never said he claimed to. If that is what you are reacting to you have misread. Have a nice day. :)
You wrote that he “…was speaking as if it was the view of Canadians or even the majority”. I don’t know how else to interpret your own words.
He’s not going to see any pension, because by the time he reaches that age, there will be far too many retired people and not enough working people to earn the money that gets taxed to support the pension pay out. This has nothing whatever to do with immigration, it’s just simple age demographics.
don’t you mean ‘whatsoever’. I mean, since you were the grammar and writing police with others…in any case, I’m out. Your arguments aren’t smart enough to even be stimulating to argue with. I hope you are old. Time for the new.
No, I meant ‘whatever’. It’s the better word to use in that situation, in my opinion. You don’t seem to understand how the pension system works or the simple math behind it. Stupid knows no particular age, but it certainly knows your name. And if you think that “the new” is always and by definition better than “the old”, you’re as ignorant of basic history as you are of simple economics.
I think that is where you are going wrong. You are trying to interpret more than what I am saying. If you read what you copied and pasted without special interpretation and take it at face value you will understand it better. Best wishes.
Perhaps you should publish a statement saying that the comments of Desire Comely do not represent or reflect the views or opinions of Desire Comely because that is the essence of what I am taking away from our exchange.
Thanks for the correction on my typo. English is my 3rd language so I’m proud I can manage to type the rest of my message without your help.
In general, Euro-Canadians are parasitic and/or think like you, that the rest of the world is hopeless without THEIRS or their ancestor’s involvement. The city that was built by these parasitic ancestors would still have been built without Europeans in this country-but we’ll never know after the genocide visited upon this very land.
Sure! Had Europeans not stolen the world, I may not be here to chase after the wealth they have stolen from my native land to be here to experience the cold in the first place let alone worry about “typing in heated rooms”. I’d be typing in a computer made in my country from local materials (which are stolen today and used in computers worldwide).
Skin tone has been used to make decisions in the lands where Europeans have influence for far too long! It’s embarrassing for you to suggest that the natives of this land are better off because of Euro-Canadian influence, YOU are propagating the same skin-tone based hatred you are purporting to correct in my sentiments. You, friend need to show some “appreciation of history” yourself.
I’m not your friend, nor am I interested in being friends with anyone who labels people “parasites” merely because of the colour of their skin. Such people are not worth knowing or listening to.
Figure of SPEACH “buddy”! Your reality is so far from mine that we literally CAN’T be friends. Your skin color opens doors for you while it closes doors for others. So, be happy with your situation. Our joy shall come too!
I have no idea how you got that. Haha. That is pretty funny actually. My comments do reflect my views and opinions. It must be pretty interesting the way you get from point A to point Q in your head. Children’s books must be fun. “The cat went to the store” probably infers quite a bit for you and I only wish I were half so interesting. You kind of made me laugh so I will help you with the sentence. Since I have no idea how you got to where you did I will just reword the sentence for you.
“…was speaking as if it was the view of Canadians or even the majority”
… was speaking as though he knew the view of the majority of Canadians
… seemed like he felt he has a popular opinion
The views stated in my comments reflect my views at the time the comments are written.
Because I can’t jump from point A to point Q like you can, I am going to post something from a random sentence generator so maybe I can match you.
“An idea lay down on the riverbed.” I would love to hear your thoughts on that sentence! XD I don’t know if I am allowed to post links but I am sure you don’t need the generator like I do.
Calling people parasites based on nothing but the colour of their skin marks you as a loser. That’s your choice. As long as you choose to think this way, you’ll always be a loser, loser.
Yet the people who vote for them aren’t white. How incredibly condescending it is to say that people who aren’t white are too stupid to discern that the Fords are racists, and so continue to vote for them.
Maybe you’ve got to go there and explain to the overwhelming majority of non-whites who vote for the Fords why they’re so wrong in doing so. Maybe they just need a super-smart person like you to explain it to them, because they’re so simple and childlike.
You know that the majority of ‘Ford Nation’ are non-white, right? That casts your comment in a rather interesting light.
OK!!! I have used EURO-CANADIAN not white in this thread. YOU have used white.
I’m calling them parasites based on their actions. My choice is to speak out while working hard to defeat the scales that are tipped against me JUST BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN.
You’ll always be a loser. It’s just a choice you’ve made.
I’m always fascinated by the north american reaction to the word “loser”. Just coz you said it, now I’m a loser? It’s a victory to be me FRIEND.
It’s your choice to keep on this tangent. It’s mine to let you be and soar beyond your ignorance. Keep trolling on the net, I’m too busy winning. ;)
Anyone who votes for the Ford Fantasy with his record of being a total failure at everything is beyond saving.
Anyone can be at the bottom of the gene pool, not race specific.
Why do you believe that non-whites are genetically inferior?
You must have comprehension problems, where did I say that?
Not buying into the myths. Base my assertions of years of study in the social sciences that have proven these phenomenons do exist. Research and studies and aggregate data trump anecdotal evidence any day.
Are you sure you want to put “study” and “social sciences” together in the same sentence?
Perhaps the feeling is mutual.
You’re awfully dumb.
What makes you think you need to be white to have a RED neck….?? It is more about political ignorance and voting against you own best interest than any skin colour…red or otherwise.
You meant white people, then you realized how wrong you were about demographics, and then you back-pedaled. Ha ha ha. And you presume to know what is in these voters’ best interests better than they do? You don’t even know who they are or what colour they are. How presumptuous. How condescending. No wonder they absolutely despise your ilk, and send your preferred candidates home after a ballot-box trouncing.
Lol. Okay. Have a nice day. I am going to turn off notifications. :)
Read your own posts while you’re at it. Then you’ll have a better idea about what your arguments were.
I was thinking the same about you. Have a nice day.
Bye
See ya…
Bye
Have a great week
Bye
You haven’t left your home in twelve years and you know it.
Again, no idea what you are talking about and how you got there. :) I feel like you have part of the conversation by yourself and I just wish I could be privy to it…
If you have no idea what I mean read your own comments.
Look. I don’t remember saying anything about my personal life at all and honestly if I had you would not have said what you just did. Unless you are talking about the random sentence generator. Either way, this conversation was going nowhere the moment I decided to try and help you when you were “puzzled”. Your confusion is not my problem. I honestly want you to have a good day. I think you need to relax. First thing I am actually going to mention about my personal life: I love Sudoku. Maybe give it or something like it a try. Puzzles are fun, they help you relax, and fun relaxing things make for a good day and a good mood. If you are actually still puzzled about my initial post you should ask someone that loves you because they will likely be able to be more patient with you. I did lose patience with you and I think it showed when I found one of your posts funny. I do wish I could jump around mentally like that. I feel I lack creativity because I think far too rigidly and that sucks for what I do professionally. Maybe the random sentence generator thing was mean and maybe that is why you are digressing to insults (like maybe I really initiated that with the generator). If that is the case I am sorry for my part in it.
The sexual tension going on here is unbearable, but I think it’s only going one way, no offense.
That is pretty gross. No offence taken. I am sure that you understand how you aren’t my type. I think you should probably keep your sexual feelings to yourself, though. :S Besides, hooking up with randoms on the internet is a very insafe idea.
*unsafe u and i are next to each other on the keyboard. Not a pick-up line. Still not interested and it is still a really bad idea for you to find companionship that way.
That went very much as I expected it might. But please, try to remember the good times.
Actually my friend my Candidate just won while yours will shortly be dead.
You’re sure of this, are you?
p.s. in Ward 2, which we’re discussing, unless your candidate was Rob Ford, your candidate did not win.
Yes they follow the scientific method and hence are studies. Thanks for the ignorant elitism though ;)
Social sciences are pseudo sciences, because they involve human behaviour, and human behaviour is never 100% ascertainable or predictable. They call them “social sciences” in order to lend them an academic legitimacy that is entirely unwarranted.
False. Social sciences use the scientific method and follow the basic scientific principle of falsifiabililty. Beyond that social science looks at social structures as well. Do not think all social science is limited to psychology and human behaviour. Goes to show how little you know about a broad range of disciplines.
The entire premise of the social sciences is flawed. It falls apart as soon as you fully fathom the nature of human beings. People are not mere elements, therefore their behaviour can be observed but never predicted. Social sciences are bullshit. People who place stock in them are dumb.
Do not think all social science is limited to psychology and human
behaviour. Goes to show how little you know about a broad range of
disciplines. And by your logic all biology and zoology and other things aside from chem and physics are BS.
No. A loaded gun is a loaded gun. Nobody ever went into a bank and told a teller, “I have a distinct lack of hope. Put as much money as you can into a bag and hand it to me.”
No. No one would conclude that biology and zoology (animal biology) are not sciences, based on my logic. On the contrary, my logic supports the idea that these are actual sciences. Psychology, however, and sociology, are pseudo-sciences.
I am obviously a little more metaphorical than you. But using your reasoning I don’t think very many people have gone into a bank and told a teller, “I’m heading to university and am excited about my opportunities and the possibilities of fulfilling my dreams but I just need a little more cash and will blow your head off if you don’t fill my bag.” Yes rich kids blow people’s head off but not kids who are rich with possibility, vision and hope.
So you think that violence is acceptable if someone is poor or feels a lack of hope? I think that’s a tremendous insult to the vast majority of poor people who don’t use it as an excuse to break the law and hurt others. A loaded gun is a loaded gun, and the people who choose to use them, be they rich, poor or somewhere in the middle, are scum.
I don’t think I said I excuse the poor who use a gun and only blame to rich…but if you raise a population with no hope–rich or poor don’t be surprised if your safety and security are disrupted.
Metaphoric internet badassary IN FULL EFFECT here.
There’s a really great youth opportunities program. It’s called school. Those who don’t take advantage of it have only themselves to blame.
do you honestly have nothing else going on in your life than to stalk my comments and reply? Get a life dude/lady. Also not taking people’s abuse is not badassery but I suppose the concept of self-defense evades you.
“You’re a loser for participating in a comment thread,” said the person participating in a comment thread.
Nope. Did not say that at all. Nice try putting words in my mouth. You are a loser for following me around though, and quite online stalker-ish I might add.
You called me a loser online. Oh, my stars. That makes you a cyberbully. Duly reported. Good luck at the tribunal.
Her brother is in the CF, really?????? Fuck I should roll over and thank the ground she walks on. Look the facts are simple. She said she got screwed over. Well welcome to Canada because the first thing a white person says against any minority when actually we are the minority is suddenly racist. I call bs on that. Most in fact many cultures won’t look me in the eyes because if they did I would kindly say hello. I’m so fucking tired of blank meaningless statements like yours that not only do you use such a stupid argument of why she better then me because her brother plays on the C F, not only have I lost family members fighting in both ww1 and ww2 and I can’t say something as a Canadian who couldn’t care less about someone who willingly got herself involved in a crack loving lifestyle politician. I’m a white person with beliefs and standards and family that lost their lives fighting for your dumb ass clowns who can’t except that racism works both ways. So fuck you and anyone who thinks otherwise. I don’t troll pages to make myself right or wrong. I write about how I feel because I’ve earned that right fighting in the CAS. For you fool. Hoping that there is a better world which I know exist. However fools like you who make such a stupid statement of her brother playing in the C F SO THAT MAKES HIM MORE OF A CANADIAN. Brother your just a waste of sperm. I won’t bother destroying you anymore.