Blog

Hope

In the social services, we often talk about the fatalism of some of the people we serve.  Another way of thinking of fatalism is hopelessness.  Oftentimes, this is a learned hopelessness that has been brought about by not being in control of one’s life or environment.  Sometimes an individual has learned to be hopeless because he or she experienced loss or abuse in his or her life time.  Sometimes an entire group of people has a history of losing control or power over their future – a loss to or an abuse of an entire group of people that can contribute to a culture of learned hopelessness or fatalism.

I have seen this sort of fatalism in Zambia.  When people could not access any treatment for HIV/AIDS, many would not care to know if they had the disease.  Often people would not get tested, and instead would pass the disease on unknowingly to others.  When I asked why they did not get tested, the most common reason was that getting a diagnosis is like getting a death sentence, and many people did not want to live like that.  People had little sense of control over the illness and had learned to be hopeless.  Fortunately, over time, as drugs have become more readily available in Zambia, this sense of fatalism has lessened and people are more willing to get tested.  From witnessing this shift, I have come to believe that hopelessness can be unlearned when new solutions or approaches are developed and people gain a sense of control over their lives.

I have also seen this sort of fatalism in Canada.  Sadly, most often in my new position as a Trustee with the Edmonton Public School Board.  Since being elected in October, I have participated in numerous meetings:  Meetings of our Board; meetings with our administrators; meetings with other Boards; meetings with community members; meetings with school councils, and meetings with other levels of government.  One of the common themes that I have noticed in all of these meetings is a sense of fatalism.  There seem to be a lot of people who are resigned to the “fact” that we do not – and will never – have the funds that we need to provide wrap around services to children and ensure that they are not falling through cracks in our systems.

I am not sure what has led to this pervasive sense of hopelessness but I truly believe it has been learned and can be unlearned.  One of my goals for my term as a Trustee is to bring a sense of hopefulness to the work that we do as a Board.  My friend Denise Davis-Taylor shared an inspiring sentiment with me that I have and will continue to use as a guide during my term: “If we cannot dream of a better future, there will not be a better future”.  I welcome you to join me on this journey and, together, we can dream of new solutions, challenge the status quo and take control of the future of Edmonton Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Heather MacKenzie

EPSB Trustee, Ward E