I would like to take a moment to honour the memory of an important Canadian voice. The same age as my father, Stephen Lewis represents to me some of the best values and aspirations of their generation. He seemed tireless in calling out injustice, oppression, and exploitation for what it was, never sugar-coating the truth he spoke with blunt articulate clarity about the world he saw.
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But while he allowed the anger and pain he felt to resonate in his voice, Stephen Lewis was never just a critic: he spoke so genuinely about humanity, the humanity of the people he met and sought to serve - at home and abroad, and particularly in Africa - he spoke of people with evident love and compassion, valuing and honouring their experience and individuality, bringing their lives into sharp focus with care and dignity.
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He was clear and never shy in his criticisms: yet every time I have heard Stephen Lewis speak he also presented solutions, carefully presented concrete actions to make our world, our society, and us - better.
I was saddened to hear of his passing, and hope is family can take solace in knowing that his was a life well lived, that he had an outsized impact and will be remembered valued by many.
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In my mind he stands as an exemplar of the best of my father’s generation, a voice for the people (like my father) who worked in health care and public policy, established systems and infrastructure to benefit ordinary people, the people responsible for so much public good we take for granted today; who truly believed in giving their lives over to making their communities, country, and the world a better, healthier, happier, more inclusive and caring place.
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"I have spent the last four years watching people die." With these wrenching words, diplomat and humanitarian Stephen Lewis opens his 2005 Massey Lectures. Lewis's determination to bear witness to the desperate plight of so many in Africa and elsewhere is balanced by his unique, personal, and often searing insider's perspective on our ongoing failure to help.
DavidM_yeg