Perspective: It is with deep sadness to have learnt of the passing of Former Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Mayor Rob Ford

It is with deep sadness to have learnt of the passing of Former Mayor of Toronto, Ontario, Mayor Rob Ford. The late mayor was a friend of all and will be remember to have torn down the colour divide and brought a renewed sense of humanity to public life in not only the GTA but the Canadian populace in general. As a minority who has faced upfront the indignity of racism, Rob Ford was a liberator of the marginalized. Everyone who was around Rob Ford felt his unbridled warmth and rich outpouring of genuine love and acceptance. He tore down barriers hence his widespread popularity.

It was unfortunate that certain sections of the media saw no good in Ford and would go the extra mile to belittle and undermine his good intentions.

Was this a case of power corrupts and absolute power corrupting absolutely? Ford for all his sins deserved to have been better treated. As Jesus said of the woman caught in adultery who would have normally been stoned to death … “He who is without sin let them cast the first stone.”

May his soul rest in peace and perpetual shine on him.

Walk good my friend.

Amen!

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & Photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada