Wednesday, June 29, 2011

On Rob Ford and Pride

During the last municipal election, I had a theory (which I don't think I blogged) that Rob Ford doesn't really want to be Mayor of Toronto. He either thinks he does or thinks it's what he's supposed to do (or some combination thereof), but he doesn't actually want the reality of it.

Sometimes in this theory the emphasis was on the word "Mayor". He doesn't want to be Mayor of Toronto. It sounds glamourous, but he doesn't actually want the reality of it. It's like when you're a kid and you want to be a princess - you don't actually want to be in the public eye all the time and have to shake hands and cut ribbons and marry some minor German noble and produce offspring. You just want a poofy dress and a unicorn - or a big chair and a shiny necklace, as the case may be.

And sometimes in this theory the emphasis was on the word "Toronto". He didn't seem so very into our urban nature, with a wide range of people doing a wide range of things all crammed into a relatively small geographical area. It seems like he would be happier somewhere smaller, more homogenous, less urban.

Mr. Ford's recent decision not to attend Pride seems to support this theory of mine.

As an individual, I do get not wanting to go to Pride. It's so big and loud and crowded! But that's part of being Mayor - you have to put in an appearance at the big events. Not doing so reads as a diss.

As an individual, I do get not wanting to do something that makes you uncomfortable. It's so much easier just to stay home! But one thing I've learned in life is the higher you rise, the more power and privilege and authority you get, the more you have to be brave and just do it - smile and shake hands and talk at the meeting and get on the plane and give the presentation. And when you have the power and privilege and authority of being Mayor, you have to show up and smile and wave at your city's big events.

As an individual, I do get wanting to go to an enjoyable family event rather than a public event you have no interest in. But that's part of being Mayor - your private life doesn't get to take precedence over public life. That's why they call it public office.

But the advantage of being Mayor is that you can use your status as a VIP to tailor your experience so it's a better fit with your personal preferences. Don't want to stay the whole parade? Put in an appearance, then have your entourage whisk you off to your next cleverly-scheduled appointment. Don't want to walk in a parade on a hot day? Surely you can get a ride in a car or a float or a firetruck. People just too scary? You can physically surround yourself with handpicked advisors or city councillors so you have a buffer until you get more comfortable with your surroundings.

And the advantage of this being Toronto is that there will be a warm reception for someone whom the public knows had to be brave to go to Pride and succeeds in doing so.

But chickening out is unmayoral. Spurning high-profile public events because you just don't wanna is unmayoral. And spurning Pride when your are in a role that traditionally attends is unTorontonian.

The standard that the Mayor attends Pride has existed for decades. The standard that major elected officials put in an appearance at major public events even if their own preference is to do something else has existed since before any of us were born. Anyone who isn't willing to meet these standards shouldn't run for Mayor, at least not of Toronto.

1 comment:

laura k said...

Anyone who isn't willing to meet these standards shouldn't run for Mayor, at least not of Toronto.

That should be the final word on the matter. It was disgraceful.