December 2016 Ramsay comic strip, or Why We Need Neighbours

Hi Ramsay comic strip readers! Before I post this month's comic, here's a little bit about why I wrote it:

Over the past five years or so, I've been writing a comic strip that runs in my monthly community newsletter. This is just something I've done for fun, because I was inspired by the people, places and stories in my neighbourhood. It was a way to give back.

One thing you find out really fast by getting involved in your neighbourhood, is that there are lots of different opinions about everything. I love how, despite this, people can co-exist peacefully and respectfully, right next door to each other.

I've been proud to be part of this group of diverse and respectful people. And so I've really tried to keep my own two cents out of the Ramsay newsletter comic. Far be it from me, to foist my opinion on the neighbours, in a volunteer-run publication that is meant to keep us connected! 

A couple of times, I couldn't resist raising issues that I felt were important, both to me personally, as well as to our community. Once, I wrote about how I couldn't find a house for sale that could accommodate a multigenerational living arrangement (this strip received more comments than any other I've written); and another time, I wrote about the importance of volunteering with our local School Council.

I've written comics about politics here and there - my first foray into indie comics was a story about the effects of September 11th, 2001 on Canada, and my most recent politically-themed comic was "City Hall 101," a story about how everyday Calgary citizens can weigh in on issues that matter to them, at City Hall.

But I've steered clear of politics in "Sam Hester's Ramsay." I've never wanted to use my little neighbourhood strip as my own political soapbox. The newsletter only circulates to about 1000 households, along with being posted to the Community Association website and my own blog. But if my comic is even a small part of the face Ramsay presents to the outside world, I want to make sure it's as inclusive, diverse and welcoming a face as I can help to make it.

That's still what I want. But this month, I had to write about my fear of what's happening in the United States as the world watches the unprecedented period of "transition" following Donald Trump's presidential victory on November 8th , 2016.

Ultimately, whatever happens and whatever you believe, anything we will be able to do to keep the human race going, under any kind of political leadership, will be about sharing space with your neighbours. I'm hoping that's a message that can resonate with everyone!

I hope it might spark some conversations - maybe even motivate people to reach out, in their own networks, for answers to the questions they have. And if people think I'm absolutely wrong about my take on this - I hope those people will talk about it, think about it, do something about it, too! If neighbours are getting connected, my art is doing its job.

By the way, independent comics creators all over the world are using their medium to share stories about what's happening in America right now. Take a look at what Alison Bechdel is doing; Francoise Mouly and Nadja Spiegelman are putting together an important project too. (If you know about any other comics that are being written about this, I'd love to hear - especially if they're Canadian!)

"If you cannot be brave... be kind."

Let me leave you with this quote from American journalist for the Globe & Mail, Sarah Kendzior, who's provided a voice of reason throughout the entire American election campaign, and even more so in the past weeks now that she's really gaining an international audience (thank goodness). This quote is from an article she wrote on November 18th, 2016:

"You still have your freedom, so use it. There are many groups organizing for both resistance and subsistence, but we are heading into dark times, and you need to be your own light. Do not accept brutality and cruelty as normal even if it is sanctioned. Protect the vulnerable and encourage the afraid. If you are brave, stand up for others. If you cannot be brave – and it is often hard to be brave – be kind."

I have a few more thoughts about this, so look for another post very soon, with some ideas about what neighbours can do next. Until then: be kind, to yourself and to your neighbours, too.