The terribly bitter taste of apathy

For a few days, I contemplated when the best time would be to post this.

I am sitting in front of my computer reading Tweets, blogs and Facebook status messages about an event that has become the largest grassroots celebration of creative young people in Toronto's recent history. The event in question was more than a one-day show-and-tell photo op with tokenized young people. It was a genuine expression of appreciation of community and creativity among peers.

And yet, not a mayoral candidate in sight.

Manifesto is a community arts festival that began with $3,000 and a young person's ambitious dream... four years ago. That $3,000 fuelled the masterminding of what is now one of the most memorable movements to touch the lives of youth across Toronto (and soon Jamaica). You see, unlike Nuit Blanche, TIFF and all of the other innovative arts and culture events Manifesto learned very quickly that youth live outside of the downtown core and decided to engage the entire city.

They broke down the downtown divide and invited Malvern, Rexdale, Jane/Finch and others to participate in a 7-day festival of politics, music, film and art by bringing events to them. Reaching out is the first step to effective engagement and when done right results in very successful results. For Manifesto, success was an 7-day festival that brought about 10,000 young people together (without any incidences of "disturbance") with more than 100 youth volunteers and staff. The Manifesto team is led by youth, who employ other youth (*gasp* what a concept) to run the entire show. Sure, they have help of adult allies, but adults don't dictate what will happen. In the most uptopian of uptopias, Manifesto epitomizes what true engagement is.

And it's for that reason alone that I wish there was at least ONE mayoral candidate present to take note.

With election day nearing, I can't help but reflect on my lack of reflection on these posts. Why, as someone who remains incredibly passionate about the municipal affairs of this city, have I been so painfully silent about the mayoral race?

I've written and deleted 4 or 5 posts, unsure of how to articulate my answer. However, after seeing ZERO political representation (save for some bickering about my article in the Manifesto Magazine (p 65) from certain candidates) at Manifesto's 7-day festival that even brought out the likes of the honourable Governor General, Michaelle Jean, I have come to the conclusion that I am experiencing the terribly bitter taste of apathy.

I just don't care. 

I don't care to engage in the slanderfest, laugh at the ribbing or decry the doom and gloom state of the city under a particular leader's rule. And I certainly don't care to pretend that our city has been sucked into a financial black hole with no way out. 

When did we become a city that spends more time on informal smear campaigns and trash talking than we do being 21st first century visionaries? Call me naive, but I believe that Toronto is on the path to something incredible; something that will further solidify our legacy as an international city with an abudance of creativity, amazing people and fresh ideas. Manifesto is one manifestation a multitude of great contributions to this city. So what do the candidates have to say about this?

Let's hope they address it at the arts debate this Wednesday.

About Tonika Morgan

Comments

[Kim Smith]

Well put sista. Youth are the future and a voting population. There skills, talents, and ambitions should be fostered as they are our future leaders. Of all placed T.O. should be the spot that this is fully embodied. Apparently the current running candidates don't feel their eggs need to be placed in this Manifested basket. Silly politicians......wont get my vote. However, I'm not on ON resident and we'll see if I become one. Alberta still runs through this blood.
Kim Smith
Be aware and share.......

[Shirey]

As I read this article it has brought to my attention that again politics fails to realize who and what the future is about. YOUTH, Youth of today are our adults of tomorrow.
My days are often filled with thoughts of youth today as I watch my own children fall, stumble, stand up, stand out speak out.
Someones feathers need and should be rumbled. The mayoral candidates remind me of public school in a playground. Who's going to be more popular and based on what? Bullying, name calling or truth, insight and dedication?

[Selwyn Firth]

Did any of the event even send out invites to all 40 of the mayoral candidates, because I didn't receive one. You say they comminicate very well , if that is their style then I must clearly disagree with you and suggest that they learn to engage all the city not just their friends and associates.
I see apathy all around every time I attend any debates which are filled with large numbers of supporters of the various debaters, this is preaching to the converted.
The election is being controlled by the various media by focusing on the annointed four and saying nothing about the other 35 candidates. Thomson was elevated to contender simply because she was awoman as indicated by the Star last week .
This nonsense of apathy and media mix is what is wrong with our politicalsystem.
People are too lazy or mentally impaired to want to find out about the others.