Recently, our radio station posted a story on their site and on their Facebook page. A woman came forth about how her and her family were mistreated at the hospital. She provided details about a physical attack. People are, naturally, responding.
First, I think that this had no business being on a "news" channel. It's not news. It's one persons story and until there is evidence to back it up, it shouldn't be there. That's just my opinion though. Take it for what it's worth.
But that's not what this is about.
This is about the comments that were on that Facebook post. It makes me sad to read them all, yet, I can't stop going back there to read them.
A large majority of the statements were generalizations and stereotypes - about Native people, white people, nurses, doctors, etc. And these are harmful to our community.
Yes, there are Native people that are addicted to drugs. But there are Native people that are trying to live a good life (and many of them succeeding). They are trying to build up their community and ours by doing good things (and some are having success with that). They are trying to do what is right (and many of them are doing what is right). But when society makes generalizations about them as a people it makes it very hard for them to keep doing that. It's a constant battle for them. Why don't we have news stories about the good things that the Native communities do? Why don't we have good things shared about Native people that are setting the example?
Nurses as a whole are not horrible people either. If it comes into light that this story is true (and I'm not saying it is not - only that I don't have any facts to say that it indeed is) then that nurse should absolutely be terminated immediately. But she was one nurse. There are lots of other nurses that are not like that. The health care professionals in our community are not perfect. But some of them - I'd say most of them - do a job that is very hard. I would even go so far as to say that most of them go home with heavy hearts when they see the happenings in our community and would do anything in their power to change it if they could.
White people can be just as bad as any other group of individuals (some of them much worse). I happen to know of several white people that are alcoholics, pill poppers, and drug sellers. And I don't even "know" that many people so I am sure there are a lot more of them. So instead of pointing fingers at the "easy" target, remember that they are not alone.
One person in that Facebook post impressed me. She said, "why are we not using this as a time too demand a review what avenues nurses have too vent if need be and if none look at coming up with ideas to develop something for them...why not use this time too look into what can be developed too help contain patients loved ones emotions, something as simple as reminder flyers hung up or handed at admittance or whatever, i am sure if collective minds look for solutions rather than focus on negativity something cost effective can be developed and along the way educate people."
Answers are not found in angry Facebook posts. That will never make our community better.
The bottom line is that by following and subscribing to these generalizations and stereotypes, we are hurting our community even more. Keep spreading these thoughts and Swan River will be nothing but the crappy little town that a lot of the people who live here think it is.
Instead, why not be part of the solution instead of part of the problem? No matter what color you are, no matter what job you hold, set a good example.
Instead of going to social media to spread more stereotypes and generalizations, let your actions speak for themselves.
People who are in a position of "power" - the media, politicians, business people, leaders of organizations - especially have a responsibility to do this. Instead of going forth and sharing your negative opinions, share something positive. Instead of talking about how shitty our town is and how horrible the people are, "be the change you want to see in the world" - or in this case, in our community.