AS I struggle to keep abreast of the ongoing topless debate one thing has
become increasingly clear: a large percentage of the population of Ontario has no
idea what it means to be a citizen of a democratic society.
All I hear about is "My rights."
My right to go topless, but not be stared at like an object. My right to not
see breasts in a public place.
My right to protect my children from obscenity.
Something is missing here -- responsibility.
We have created a society where people believe everything must revolve around
what they want, regardless of the impact it may have upon other individuals. (As
a teacher, I lay primary blame on our lax and pathetically unfocused educational
system for this problem, but that's another issue.)
A successful democratic society must contain citizens who understand there
are limits on what an individual can or cannot do and that those limits must be
based upon the good of the collective.
People seem to think society was created so that they could impose their values
on each other. However, it was created so individuals could live in relative safety
and fulfil their need to socialize. It seems as though our obsession with rights
is starting to divide, not unite society.
I do not pretend to know how to solve this controversy (or any of the others
which crop up constantly), however, I'm sure a little bit of common sense and respect
for the views of fellow citizens would contribute significantly to a resolution
of the issue.
It would also be helpful if the Toronto media stopped titillating us with
articles about this topic. There are other, weightier issues hanging around out
there, don't you think?
Ian McVay
Brampton
(Yes, your views certainly could use some support)