091 - Meet Paul 👋
Localist Paul Seale is currently working for Pillar Nonprofit Network from home on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapeewak, and Attaawandaron peoples, so listening and learning are much on his mind.
You might know Paul as “that Old East Guy,” but he thinks the most important neighbourhood is the one you live in.
We reached out earlier this week to get his perspective on the city amidst this pandemic.
Here’s what he had to share!
Q: How is the pandemic affecting your sense of the city? 🤔
A: My heart is so warmed by the number of people who are showing care by innovating, pivoting and doing what they do best: Impact London is helping with housing; Carmina de Young is making PPE, Go Fog It is disinfecting, and Goodwill Industries, Labatt and Union Ten Distilling Co. are all making hand sanitizer now. There’s also SafeSpace London’s change of service and LIFE*SPIN’s community food box to add to the list.
The pandemic is the great revealer, and while our inequities are showing in the news and in the Mayor’s Economic and Social Impact and Recovery Task Forces report, I’m hopeful that as we recover, we’ll remember the work we’ve done and continue pressing for positive change. Genuinely hopeful. Countin’ on it, even.
Q: What’s your favourite local story to come out of the last few weeks? ❤️
A: It’s impossible to pick just one thing—my work puts me in touch with amazing stories all day, every day—but special mention goes out to the 3,000+ Londoners who’ve jumped into the local Caremongering Group; the good ‘ol Freeps for providing unlimited access to COVID coverage and to their staff for chasing down acts of kindness; and to the folks at Big Bike Giveaway and London Cycle Link for making sure essential workers have at least one worry-free ride.
Q: Tell us about the last London-thing you recommended to a friend. 🗣️
A: I’ve been telling people about community-involved places to shop in person or online, including the London Food Co-op, the Old East Village Grocer, On the Move Organics, London Bicycle Café, and Reimagine Co.
Also, Clark Bryan of Aeolian Hall is posting a mini-concert a day from his home. It’s been lovely and I can’t stop telling people about it.
Q: What are you most looking forward to when it's safe to head out-and-about again? 🤪
A: EVERYTHING!!! But, especially, walking without pool noodles and the fear that you’re endangering yourself and others; going for a bike ride with the Old East Village Riding Group; being on Dundas Place with just about any live performance; speaking moistly on occasion but, y’know, still 2 metres apart; knowing what day it is; and sitting on the patios of The Morrissey House and the prestigious St Regis.
Q: Who should Londoners be paying attention to right now? 👂
A: I normally tell people to question authority but, to really do this together, we need to get our pandemic information from reliable local sources like the Middlesex-London Health Unit & the City of London. That said, citizens pushing back gently with good information on government initiatives is exactly how democracy works and how we address equity issues among other things. We can’t stop now. Our governments are depending on citizens to inform their almost-daily policy changes. Keep that up!
Locally, there are people I always pay attention to, including Frances Moore, Dr Jodi Hall, Abe Oudshoorn, Shawna Lewkowitz, Eaman Fahmy, and Kate Graham. Also my partner, Carole Perraud, who is the smartest person I know in real life. You should pay attention to her, too.
Oh! Your neighbours, too! Always pay attention to your neighbours.
This week's edition of The Localist made possible by the kind support of:
Patrons: Sameer Vasta, Mike Donachie, Heenal Rajani, Rebecca Minielly, web.isod.es, Scott Webb, Black Coffee, Earmark, Rachel Berdan, Shelley Carr, Shawn Adamsson, Anne O'Sullivan, London Bicycle Café, Paul Seale, Alec Dowell, Dan Hall, Kelly Ziegner
Editors: Titus Ferguson, James Kingsley, Kendra Matheson
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