To the Editor:
Re: Youth in Politics: the next generation of political leaders, Dec. 17.
Your stories allege age discrimination is occurring towards the youthful councilors. That is erroneous. In fact, it’s simply inexperience. Respect is earned, not freely given.
While it’s easy to say young councillors bring a youthful voice to the public arena, it can also be said unseasoned and unknowledgeable behaviour is displayed when councillors bark incorrect points of order to stifle debate, or when colleagues are interrupted and talked down to. Or when you butt in and call for a vote on a motion when others are speaking. This is simply juvenile and more so, rude.
George Anderson must learn in his schooling that it is a two-way street. If you talk the talk, you must walk the walk. And you definitely must be open and transparent for just not your own pet ideals but have respect for everyone and everything.
Perhaps I was a tad know it all when I was 23. Perhaps I was insecure and might have used whatever cards were available for me to play and gain public sympathy.
It is a fact, you gain more knowledge with age. We must treat our elders and peers with respect for their wisdom, such as our aboriginal friends have grown to learn.
Ursula C. KnightNanaimo