‘Us versus them’ attitude counterproductive

I was very disappointed to read Verna Murphy’s May 14 column ( Fellow Cape Bretoner’s rant about Fort McMurray goes viral).

As a young Cape Bretoner, the subject is one I have spent a great deal of time struggling with.

I was born and raised in Sydney. In September, I moved to Halifax to attend school. The idea of leaving Cape Breton, a place I love like a family member, brought up very conflicted feelings.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to put these feelings into words at a speaker’s series last June, shortly before I moved. I wish I had Murphy’s piece and Lisa Boutilier’s vitriolic rant to illustrate the mistakes we as a community make in how we deal with each other.

Based on the attention Murphy’s column got, this is still a relevant topic.

The point of my talk was this: Our young people are being raised in a toxic, black and white “us versus them” environment, adding to the already intimidating list of struggles young Cape Bretoners face if they want to simultaneously make something of themselves and retain their identity as Cape Bretoners.

It is becoming increasingly true that our youth feel the need to leave Cape Breton to seek work, education or experiences. This is a disappointing truth, but it is a truth in almost every city around the world. Young people want to travel and gain experiences. This will not change, so this is not the whole problem.

The part of the problem that concerns me is that our youth are being taught that to leave Cape Breton is to betray Cape Breton. Role models of all kinds are guilty of this. We talk of “the mainland,” “the city,” and especially “out west” as enemies, as the reason The Cape Breton Post welcomes letters on matters of public interest for publication over the writer’s name. Letters must state home address and phone number where authorship can be reached for verification. Letters must be no more than 300 words. Publication is at the discretion of the Post and all letters are subject to editing for readability, grammar, taste, propriety and length. To encourage a diversity of contributors and opinions, letters by the same writer will not appear more frequently than twice a month. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. For emailed letters, do not include attachments. Opinions expressed in letters are those of the authors. The Cape Breton Post, its publisher or publishers, and Transcontinental Nova Scotia Media Group Inc. do not necessarily endorse the views expressed therein. Cape Breton struggles the way it does.

We young people are forced to second-guess ourselves. It makes us unsure of our ability to chase our loftiest goals and still retain our identity as Cape Bretoners.

To those who struggle with this conflict, there are two apparent choices.

The first is that we stay home, honour our identity and settle. This, depending on the individual, can be a satisfying decision or a massive waste.

The second choice is far scarier to me: To leave with a feeling of betrayal and the label of traitor. This is an exaggerated feeling, but is an effective description of how many young folks feel.

These people are made to feel they are betraying their home by leaving — for work, education, travel and so on — and don’t come back. This is not the only reason they don’t return, but it is a far more significant reason than we have been willing to accept.

These people start businesses, start families, and have ideas. It is new businesses, young families, and fresh ideas that Cape Breton needs so badly. I believe our “us versus them” attitude costs us a fair few of these things.

I am a proud Cape Bretoner. I hope Cape Breton residents and expats can take a break from slinging mud at each other long enough to see we are playing for the same team. Alex Sheppard Halifax