BY RABBLE STAFF | JULY 25, 2012
Hard to believe, but it's already been almost a year since Jack Layton passed away. His death and his powerful last letter to Canadians impacted the whole country, and people responded spontaneously, sharing their memories and their 'love, hope and optimism' on social media and with messages in chalk that repeatedly covered Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
This week, the Broadbent Institute has launched a new initiative called 'Dear Jack,' encouraging people to share messages about how they are contributing to advancing social justice. Sarah Layton, Jack's daughter, explains the new campaign in an article in yesterday'sToronto Star:
My father's best talent and pleasure was to empower people around him. Growing up, he'd push me and my brother Mike to open our hearts to become the best we could be. I know his colleagues in politics experienced that as well. And in his final days, he embodied that essence of his in an open letter to Canadians. A love letter, really, ending with his famous challenge: “Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world...
If my dad’s message has moved you, write him back. Let others know how you’re renewing your own love, hope and optimism in this country of ours.
You can add your message here.
