Trenton: More than just an army base

Trenton was our stop today at Day 9 of the Stop Cuts Student Tour. Most of us were grateful for the brief break from Mother’s Day (and I personally was very glad to have the opportunity to spend long-awaited time with my own family) on the Sunday before. Most of us have also discovered that we have lost our voices considerably as well – I personally am suffering from a rather sore throat and sounding a bit like a man. Sigh.

Thank goodness our public relations representative was extremely enthusiastic and helped us out with the rallying on the streets. We first protested in front of our bus in front of the Trentonian newspaper building, where we met up with the reporter with his camera. After an interview with our fourth-year pharmacy student (who is quite charismatic, may I add), we had rallied on the way to the bridge along Dundas Street – the main street in Trenton in what I believe to be the downtown area. The reporter had also followed us during the rally and took pictures. At one point, he was also taking pictures into another store while we were walking down the street with the signs; frankly, I’m not too sure what he was doing.

While we were rallying at the corner of Dundas and Front, Zenah had wanted to take a picture of us rallying at the other side of the street. Coincidentally, there was a radio reporter who was on that same side who took note of the rally, and had wanted Zenah to do a radio interview on the spot. It was quite awesome actually, having attracted even more media attention than what we expected!

Again, we had canvassed around the residential area of Trenton. One of my friends and I were pleasantly surprised that there were quite a few people who were extremely supportive of our efforts to stop these funding cuts on pharmacy and were more than willing to sign the petitions. Moreover, there were quite a few people walking around (presumably because it was quite nice and sunny today) and we were able to reach more people.

A few of our pharmacy students had encountered a former MPP, who was a good friend of Deb Matthews, the Minister of Health. One of them had given us a brief summary about the conversation that had gone on in the few minutes that they were talking, including the reminder to keep in mind of the things that the big players say during this whole ‘war’ between the pharmacy profession and the government.

That truly opens a whole can of worms about the associations that are involved and the government during this period of instability. One’s words are typically manipulated to demonize the opposing party and promoting one’s own party. That’s just how the game is played and how humans typically support themselves. While the government seems to do so to support themselves, one also needs to remember that the associations that we support may do the same in the name of politics. As pharmacy students, we will support the profession; however, we, as all individuals of the public should, must be aware of the possible lies that could be fed by the associations representing the profession. Wars, including that between pharmacy and the government, are never black and white. The roles of the “good” and “bad” guys are never clear. I am in no way stating that the associations that support the pharmacy profession are bad, or that the government is evil by making such decisions against us. I merely want to state that we must be careful not to be brainwashed by either party and take things with a grain of salt. Be aware of the issues yourself, digest the information, make the logical conclusions yourself and think/act for yourself according to what our own conscience and values allow.

Why do I blog? I blog because I see issues in the pharmacy profession that need to be addressed. I put my own opinions onto it and separate them from that of the pharmacy-representing associations and the government. On top of that, I strongly encourage others to read my blog, be provoked in learning more about these issues and forming your own opinions about them. Don’t be sheep – stay educated and aware!