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FROM THE PUBLISHER
The holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year . Coming together with friends and family for feasts , drinks , football and catching up , being merry and bright , spreading kindness to strangers , and helping others all before the year ’ s end .
This year , however , is different . Instead of spreading kindness , there is hate and violence . Instead of cheer , there is anger and fear . And instead of coming together , we are a nation divided . Longtime friends have become foes . People are being forced to choose sides . Complete strangers are fighting in street . So many people are asking , “ How did we get here , and how do we get back ?” To be united , there needs to be leadership . That is how our nation was formed . If our leaders are fighting , bullying , or discriminating against organizations , how are we supposed to react ? How are we to rise above it ? By becoming the leaders ourselves .
Robert Kennedy stated it best , “ Each time a man stands up for an ideal , or acts to improve the lot of others , or strikes out against injustice , he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope , and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring , those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance .” We need to be that one man or woman to lead and set forth hope for our youth that will soon be leaders of their own before this country is destroyed .
In times of hardship , people tend to have the desire to escape - flight or fight response . Perhaps that is why the Canadian immigration website crashed the day after the election .
Other ways people escape is tuning out of reality and tuning into fantasy . Perhaps that is why HBO ’ s series Westworld has
gone viral . If people haven ’ t seen it yet , they have probably heard of it and have it on their TV-binge list . Coincidently , even this show reflects the moral concept ; people or androids stand up against the violence to instill hope for what they rightfully deserve . Angela Sarafyran was part of that world as one of the robotic characters and shares with us her experience being a part of fantasy world in our exclusive interview .
In the real world , there are still people out there , especially in Seattle , creating hope . Those goodwill Seattleites are taking their hardships and developing nonprofit organizations to help fight a cause to make other lives better . It was hard to narrow down , but we chose four to shine the spotlight on and inform you how you can help as well .
I do what I do because I want to be someone who sets an example . It ’ s important to me to publish positive topics and avoid any negativity or bullying . It ’ s also essential to show my gratitude .
So even though it may not feel like the holidays , I am still planning on celebrating and would love for you to celebrate with me . I want to invite you to me join on December 11th at Quality Athletics at the Ville Magazine holiday party featuring live reindeer from Reindeer Express . So come and spread good cheer and kindness that our country so desperately needs .
Happy Holidays , Seattle !
# GoHaWKS !
Charity Mainville
THE HOLIDAY ISSUE VILLE l
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