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My Toronto Rant, for what it's worth
Submitted by SwoopGuy on
What the hell is going on in Toronto?!? On some level, when I left, I had the feeling I would go back some day. Not necessarily on a permanent basis or anything, but maybe for another couple of years. And all the news Im hearing coming out of the place is driving me up the wall! Most recently the girl getting killed by gunfire across the street from HMV/Sam the Record Man on Yonge Street. Its a landmark location. Right on top of a major subway station! Across the street from one of the countries landmark Shopping centers! Damn near anyone whos been to Toronto has been there. Anyone whos lived in Toronto for any period of time will have been there frequently. Ask any of them if it is dangerous, and Im sure that until recently they would have thought you paranoid. I used to be there practically once a week. People dont get SHOT in front of the EATON CENTRE in the MIDDLE OF THE DAMN DAY!!! Its F***ing NUTS!!! This is on the heals of
More than a dozen students from the high school I used to work at being arrested at the school for the alleged harassment and sexual assault of one of MY former students. It was a rough school, yes, but that is beyond the bounds of reason. She says theyve been harassing/assaulting her since September of 2004. I moved here in August of 2004. A number of the incidences are reported to have occurred right beside my old classroom. I know the victim (the description in the newspapers wasn't vague enough). I know some of the accused (I recognized the voices on the news, despite faces being blurred).
So here I am. Torn between the guilt from having abandoned my students to an environment of deteriorating safety (knowing that I could very well have put a stop to any harassment/assault long before the 18months had passed), and the knowledge that if I hadnt left, I could just as easily be lying dead on a sidewalk beside this 15 year old girl on Boxing day. Gun violence isnt the only reason I left Toronto, but Id be lying if I said it wasnt a factor. And all the while I cant get the voice of the School Chaplain out of my head, You cant leave. These kids need you.