It is repeated that it takes a village to raise a child, a proven factual statement. However, I recently pondered the question: What does it take for a community to behave righteously towards its fellow man? I raised this question with you, who are taking the time to read this post.
DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination can arise as a result of direct or indirect unequal treatment of another or the effects of unequal treatment of others and is a practice or behavior, whether intentional or not, which harms an individual or group based on prohibited grounds, including but not limited to disability, gender, race, receipt of public assistance, sexual orientation, unrelated to the person’s abilities or objective considerations relating to the decision that is made.
MY COMMUNITY
I currently live in a community of culturally diverse citizens and immigrants. A community that offers low rent, and anyone who integrates into it has the opportunity to learn once the individual keeps an open mind to learn. In today’s world, each is offered various avenues to acquire knowledge, but as mentioned, the individual must keep an open mind to learn. I’ll admit, not all seen or read benefits a healthy mind, and it is best left alone. It’s like someone taking a medication or over-the-counter drug to heal a situation. Just because it works for them doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Therefore, one will find what best suits them through trial and error.
Within my community, like any other community, you will find problems. You will find excellent and wicked individuals, clean and dirty individuals, those with mental issues, those handling stressful situations, and those who have overcome them to the point that they can now assist others. Note that I used the word assist, not teach. To become a teacher, one must pass the test that allows them to hold a written document that states the person now qualifies in a specific area to teach. So, how does a community solve the problem of those who have gone beyond their mental issue to be insane to the point that they cannot think on a reasonable level to appreciate certain opportunities?
DEFINITIONS OF MENTAL ISSUES
The meaning of being mentally insane is one gone crazy, mentally deranged, or utterly senseless. On the other hand, the law defines one who is insane as incapable because of a mental disorder of conforming conduct to the limits imposed by criminal law—a person who is not legally responsible for their action or actions.
A mental disorder is a psychological syndrome associated with distress. This can be characterized by incomplete mental development, with onset before age 18 leading to significantly below-average intellectual functioning. The individual you’ll find is impaired in a critical area or areas of functioning. In most cases, you’ll find the individual with a pattern of deviant behavior associated with distress or interference with personal functions.
BEFORE PASSING JUDGEMENT
My question remains: How do members within a community inject righteous behavior into our fellow men and women who ignore their responsibility to be civilized toward others regardless of color or culture? Do we ignore those with reckless behaviors? We are here to learn from each other.
One day I was traveling on the street car coming home when I stood next to a gentleman (not gentle at all) who kept looking up at me. As he did, I kept looking back at him. His action was not good enough just to stare at me occasionally, he once in a while would jab my body as he shifts in his seat. Once, twice, on the third time when he got up and hit me, I spoke out loud to him to stop. He had no right to hit me. To make a long story short, the bus driver stopped, told us to leave the bus, and called the cops because he nor I were leaving the bus. I had had a long day and just wanted to get home. Where he was going, I hadn’t a clue. Eventually, some got off the bus to walk to their destination, and on leaving one woman turns to me: “ You should not have said anything to him, can’t you see he is not right in the head.”
“Thank you madam, but that does not give him the right to be hitting me.” Yes, I stood up to him. In the end, the cops arrived, took my information, and took him off the bus, and I was driven to my stop. You, me, as we, have to stand up to those who take advantage of a situation, and this includes those in authority who has the opportunity to put in place the law, fairly.
Speaking out loud on the street compared to behind closed doors still concludes that words spoken out loud are so that the listener pays attention. The same applies to words whispered (In a dream… Job 33:15) during our sleeping state: to pay attention to what is spoken, which brings me to say that experiences teach us best. As we go through the process [yes, it is a process] when being persecuted, if awareness is present, discoveries are recognized of the one persecuting you, as you do of yourselves of actions to correct. It is what one would say going through the fire to be refined. Therefore, do not let criticism from others push you to death before your time. Life is for us to grow as we live. Within the process, we can heal our twisted thoughts, allowing us to overcome the force penetrating the mind with negatives.
USE AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Information collection is used to determine if a household qualifies to rent a unit or a home. Therefore, those in management must treat any Tenant’s malicious complaints of others as an offense and deal with them by removal when they are found in such acts.
Indirect information such as notes, photographs, and digital images. The Housing Connections application form; rental and credit reporting agencies: Ontario Works; Ontario Disability Support Program; other housing providers and landlords; federal and provincial government ministries and agencies; utility providers; employers; financial institutions; police fire and emergency services; individuals and organizations who make complaints to TCH.
All such information contributes to the conclusion as to whether a person is given rental accommodations, and this is why a tenant’s actions toward others should be kept in mind: Do unto others as you would like done to you.
As we look around, many homeless people should not be in that position, but due to someone’s action, we see the person or persons gone mentally insane or have given up on trying. It is time for us to be kind to each other.
TRANSPARENCY
Once a tenant informs the Tenant Rep/ Tenant coordinator of discriminated actions against them, their duty should be to inform and connect the harassed tenant with services and support to help maintain their tenancy. Facilitate access to services and support for the benefit of low-income households.
To eliminate or reduce the risk of harm to the health and safety of another who may require access to TCH property to investigate an incident involving the safety or security of people, facilities, assets, and insurance claims.
To promote public safety and reduce incidents of crime on TCH property.
WITHIN REASON
Neighbors who harass others should be informed, and friends who abide by and assist them in harassing other tenants, friends of such ones, should be banned from the building. When caught in the building, the neighbor should be fined or removed after being informed by twice-written notices.
Treat everyone equally to avoid acts of discrimination. Everyone must respect the dignity and rights of others within reason.
CONTACT
HumansRights@torontohousing.ca
call inbox at 416-981-4417
Better The End 