Item

Yard Sign and Nova Scotia Flag in Condolence for Mass Shooting

Title (Dublin Core)

Yard Sign and Nova Scotia Flag in Condolence for Mass Shooting

Description (Dublin Core)

While in many respects the world has come to a halt in the midst of the pandemic, there are some events of significance which are only tangentially related to the virus. On April 18th and 19th, 2020, the worst mass shooting in Canadian history was committed across several locations in the province of Nova Scotia. As all provinces remained in some degree of lockdown or a state of emergency, the normal mass gatherings, protests, and expressions of grief which would normal follow such a tragedy were impossible. Indeed, the victims could not even have the funerals well attended by the community and media which would previously have occurred. Instead, the outpouring of national grief was largely restricted to digital communication and small physical memorials. Local schools and government buildings lowered their flags to half mast for a week. Several houses in my neighbourhood put printed-out Nova Scotia flags in their windows as an acknowledge. This larger flag was attached to an existing poster-board and wood sign urging others to “Be Kind” and “Stay Safe” took on a whole new meaning. No longer was it just espousing patience and understanding in a time where blame is leveled against individuals and groups, and to stay healthy. Now it promotes the added message of peace (kindness) following violence, and safety when that is not true. The communal grieving process which would follow violence on the scale of that which occurred in Nova Scotia still occurred, but it looked very different.

Date (Dublin Core)

April 23, 2020

Creator (Dublin Core)

Hope Gresser

Contributor (Dublin Core)

Hope Gresser

Type (Dublin Core)

Photograph

Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)

English Neighborhoods
English Crime
English Community & Community Organizations
English Emotion

Curator's Tags (Omeka Classic)

Nova Scotia
mass shooting
grief
funeral
flag
patience
peace
violence
safety
Ottawa
Canada

Collection (Dublin Core)

English Canada
English Deathways

Linked Data (Dublin Core)

Date Submitted (Dublin Core)

05/20/2020

Date Modified (Dublin Core)

03/12/2021

Accrual Method (Dublin Core)

4654

Item sets

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