MONIKA'S First Campaign Blog Post (posted August 29 via Facebook)

I hope to post short pieces I write about people I meet each day during election time. An opportunity to share stories and a photo (with permission), since, although just Day 2 of campaigning, I’ve already heard so many fascinating ones. Kind of like a “Humans of Cape Breton” effort — irrespective of how people may be voting. Here’s one from today.

Kay 

Kay is out with her friends at one of the most bustling places to be in Sydney on a Saturday morning — the farmers market. She tells me about her array of volunteer activities, ranging from work with her church to the Gaelic Society. The Gaelic Society holds regular concerts, “But not usually in Gaelic — there are so few speakers now.” 

She references a recent article in the Cape Breton Post where the writer discusses the little known African history associated with the Mira region – she says that pieces like that have compelled her not to make assumptions about the background of people who live in Cape Breton. I appreciate that she asks me, "Where is your home?" rather than where I'm from.

She remembers having (all male) politicians canvassing at her house when she was a child. They would typically have alcohol with them to give to her father as they sometimes talked politics. (Sorry – I don't plan on carrying on that tradition – either being a male politician or offering alcohol!)

She laughs often until the moment I take the photo.

Thanks Kay for being the first person to kick off the next few months.