This story of death threats against PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon and his family is unfortunately not surprising. Whether against elected officials, journalists or in everyday life, these are times of verbal and sometimes even physical violence.
In many workplaces, we even have to post messages asking people not to shout, hit, threaten or even spit on employees. This is definitely not the society I grew up in…
This violence, fortunately, is the work of a minority, but it is gaining ground. The phenomenon is complex. However, we know that social media makes it easier to send insults and threats anonymously.
Well before the pandemic, we were already experiencing it. Women, even more so. The pandemic, however, has accelerated the movement. Extreme social isolation during the first waves, the rise in psychological distress and conspiracy theories did the rest.
Because it undermines the social and political fabric from within, the subject of violence is of paramount importance. It is necessary to talk about it. Look the beast in the eyes.
We must do this not to play the victim, but to openly discuss civics and respect in our societies which are much more damaged than we think. Even teach it at school.
Face reality
That said, on the one hand, I sympathize with Paul St-Pierre Plamondon. I understand that he did not want the media to show him in a state of disarray at an event while answering questions about the threats he had received and the arrest of a suspect.
At the same time, it should be noted that the event was not private. The subject being of public interest, the fact that the media saw fit to broadcast this short moment is also explained.
Above all, it is high time that citizens see this darker side of reality. When elected officials and their families are subject to death threats, like anyone else, it is normal for them to be upset and worried.
This emotional moment from Paul St-Pierre Plamondon indeed had the merit of being true. This was not a “line of communication” fine-tuned by advisors. It was a very real and very concrete moment.
A quiet land, but…
Quebec is a peaceful land, but it is not exempt from episodes of violence against elected officials. How can we forget the political attack at Metropolis?
On September 4, 2012, Richard Henry Bains, determined to kill the new Prime Minister Pauline Marois, because she was a sovereignist, killed stage technician Denis Blanchette and seriously injured his colleague, Dave Courage.
Twelve years later, here as elsewhere, verbal and sometimes physical violence is rampant in our societies in various forms. The political world is not spared. This trend, I fear, is taking hold.
The fact is that the world is not well. Social isolation is increasing. Wealth gaps are widening again. For more and more of us, finding decent housing and food is becoming an obstacle course.
So-called social media also create the dangerous illusion of a more “connected” world while isolating us more than ever from each other.
The surrounding suffering and isolation are expressed in part through anger and aggression.
It is by adopting significantly fairer and more humane policies that governments could reduce this suffering.
It is also up to all of us to promote peaceful debates and for the authorities to ensure the safety of elected officials, at all levels.