Canadian Politics Today

Wow.  Introductions !

I can't believe I didn't take the chance to talk about myself !

Michael Hardner

1. Fake person
2. mid-50s
3. Degree in Mathematics, Career in IT
4. Fell in love with the Arts during university, pursued and completed a diploma in Acting
5. Grew up in a political house, parents were liberals sympathetic to left-lib but also despised boondoggles and waste of public resources
6. Married Joan late in life.  Old dad, now.  Making it work.

I thought I was too old and tired to have kids in my early 30s. Hopefully you have more energy than me.

I have resigned myself to a life of restlessness.

My dad was in his mid-late fifties when he had kids, energy never seemed to be a problem for him. Maybe having kids gives you a boost of energy. The only downside is he passed away when my brother and I were still in our 20's, and never got to see his grandchildren. My mom was many years younger than him, and also lived into her 90's so she did get to watch her grandkids grow up.

You have Gypsy blood, too?

Not like I care but you do know that's a racist term right ?   

Even when I've got Gypsy blood? (Romanian Gypsy)

I guess you can call each other that.  But usually people who say they have 'blood' or 'DNA' don't have much to stand on.  See Elizabeth Warren.

i don't know any Gypsies who are offended by being called a Gypsy.

How many Gypsies do you know ?

I guess you can call each other that.  But usually people who say they have 'blood' or 'DNA' don't have much to stand on.  See Elizabeth Warren.

How many Gypsies do you know ?

My great-grandmother was from Romania, she was Romanian Gypsy.  I had my DNA done a couple years ago and it matched what our oral family history is - 70% Romanian/Chech.  (Except for a strange 11% Scandinavian, which I haven't been able to track down.)

I suppose "gypsy" can be used derogatorily - we all know the stereotypes.  I guess the technical term is "Roma" people.  But in my family of Romani women, it's not offensive to us.  My great-grandmother was a well-known healer.  i know "gypsy" is not used derogatorily in flamenco, either.

Hitler targeted the Gypsies:
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/genocide-of-european-roma-gypsies-1939-1945

Because of these things, I consider myself a descendent of the Romani-Gypsies. 

I don't mind if you don't want to consider me a Gypsy.  Or anyone else, for that matter. 

The great thing about being a Gypsy is - we don't care.  We re-locate and carry on.