The Purple Revolution Part 2

For many folks, the image of Calgary is that of cowboys, Calgary Stampede & right wing redneck conservative voters.  At one time, I think that was a fair representation of Calgary, but I don't feel it is in 2012.  Yet, the stereotype of "Cowtown" continues & I often read disparaging remarks in news columns & forums on the net.  The election of Nenshi changed that opinion. 

The morning after the election, newspapers across Canada gave unusual column time to the successful win by Mr Nenshi.   You see, Nenshi is from Toronto.  He's also the son of two immigrants.  Mr Nenshi is also brown AND he is also Muslim.   There is some speculation that he is gay. 

I was admittedly nearly salivating while reading the news in the Toronto Star and other like minded newspapers that often portray Calgary as redneck.  How could this be?  Redneck Calgary had voted in a young, brown, Muslim mayor.  Such an happening was the equivalent of Texas electing a vegan lesbian for governor.  The rest of the country seemed stunned.  How could such a thing happen?  For those of us living here we already knew the answer.  Calgary is NOT redneck.  It's a young, growing & somewhat cosmopolitan city trying to shed it's hick stereotype from the past.  

To add more icing to the cake, Toronto elected Rob Ford as mayor.  While this comment might upset his supporters, Mr Ford is the epitome of the negative stereotype of a redneck. His platform "Stop the Gravy" was as typical as they come from politicians.  A simplistic motto for a complex city that has many problems.  Nenshi was well mannered & articulate.  Rob Ford is loud & bellicose.  They are polar opposites in all respects except one: both are fiscally conservative.   Months later when Nenshi visited Toronto, I found is amusing to see how the local media scrambled to meet him.  Here was the CBC and The Star squealing in glee to interview Nenshi, ignoring that Nenshi IS a fiscal conservative.   If anything is shows you that Canadians are open to fiscal conservatism, it just needs to be done by a person with manners & class.   Are you listening Mr Harper? 

I'm not sure how Nenshi will fare as mayor but I know one thing.  He has changed the perception of Calgary to those who don't live here.  I remember reading comments in newspaper forums where people commented they would now consider moving to Calgary because of the mayor.   A stereotype takes a long time to break, but this was/is a great start.