Freedom is the most important value of a just society

In another post (To those of us born between 1946 and 1964), I talked about some of the things, which shaped Boomers; one that I did not mention was the concept made popular in Canada, by Pierre Elliot Trudeau, of the idea that Canada was a Just Society. The idea of a just society was one that had been moved forward a few years earlier in the USA, by John Kennedy. In his 1961 speech said

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961

Those words resonated with Boomers, both in Canada and in the United States. As I and my generation in Canada and the US were growing up we came to accept the idea of a just society as our right. In Canada, we did not immediately embrace the idea of a just society or Multiculturalism, but over time we did and we came to believe in Canada as a Just Society. In 1961 Kennedy asked what can you do for your country and American Boomers responded and began to fight for a more just society. 

In 1968, that Pierre Trudeau campaigned saying Canadians wanted a just society. He asked for support for one nation, with two official languages.For Trudeau, “…freedom [was] the most important value of a just society, and the exercise of freedom its principal characteristic.” ...the value with the “highest priority in the pursuit of a Just Society had become equality.” This emphasis on equality of opportunity enveloped Trudeau’s entire platform during the 1968 elections, a platform that spoke to Canadians as his Liberal government won a majority in Parliament.

Trudeau won, not only the election but the heart and soul of many of us Boomers. We believed in his idea. Some of us took longer to understand his dream, but in the end the dream of building both a just and a Multicultural society became what we saw ourselves building. I believe that both the right and the left of the political spectrum believe in this concept, but we have different ways of trying to achieve this idea.

With the recent election in the USA many Boomers are now realizing that their dream of a just society is in danger of being destroyed. Mr. Trudeau and Mr. Kennedy, helped Boomers believe in the good in people and to build on the good and use that good to create a just society.

Donald Trump uses fear to destroy our faith in people. Tapping into our fear of those who are different has been around for a long time. In times of stress or uncertainty, we are tempted to scapegoat others. We have to ignore that temptation.

Right now, it appears, that those of us who believe in a just society, are losing. However, when I look south of the border, I see a society that is split, but one that majority of people supported a progressive candidate. In Canada, I see a country that embraces others and welcomes diversity and can lead by example.

Boomers in Canada and the USA fought hard and long for a country they and their children and grandchildren could be proud of. I know that in Canada, we won the battle (it took us 8 years) with the forces that wanted to destroy the values we fought for so long ago. 

Judging how well minority rights are protected is one way to assess how democratic a society is in practice. I am sure that in the US, Boomers will not allow the re-creation of a society that is unpleasant and hurtful to the poor, the homeless, women, minorities, and the weak. There is a light at the tunnel. I am confident that Boomers will be at the forefront of this battle to maintain a just society for all.