Dear Ms. Communicate,
One of my siblings, F, is a senior member of a Canadian federal law enforcement agency in Ottawa. I live in another city in Canada. F's security rating is so high that every time F is up for a promotion everybody in our immediate family gets a background check done by the RCMP. Not to sound too "cloak and dagger", but out of respect for F, I stopped attending protests years ago for fear of any action of mine being recorded and used to curtail F's career in whatever way that could happen. I've done this because as you probably know, the police routinely photograph everybody who attends rallies to enter into their database of activists. This hasn't bothered me or affected my life until recently.
My problem is that now, in my current circle of friends, I'm the only one who doesn't attend rallies, protests and other forms of legal public demonstration of disagreement with governments both here and abroad. Over the last few months there have been several events and protests that I've wanted to participate in that I didn't for fear for of jeopardizing F's future promotion prospects. What can I do?
Dear Unsure Brother,
What you need to do is be honest with F. Have a chat, and explain that you've found that recently you're more interested in attending protests and other forms of legal public gathering. You understand about F's high-level security job, and want to let F know about this change, so there are no surprises in the future, however remote. As an aside, I can't imagine why attending a rally or protest in your city would be enough to get you on anyone's radar since in Canada such actions rarely lead to social change.
**
Well readers, it's been one year since Ms. Communicate began. It's a great deal of fun for me to give out progressive and lefty advice to those who've written to me. I hope everyone enjoys my advice, and I know letters (and my responses) have sparked discussions on babble which is great!
Please feel free to write to me about any problem that you need some sensible left wing advice for. Now, to this week's letter.
Ms. Communicate.
