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But – and two “buts” are necessary here, unavoidable opportunities were thus created for values appropriation. With major corporations, like McDonalds and A&W publicly declaring themselves to be in the ranks of the “ethical” a sizeable chunk of cynicism is natural and necessary when our growing climate of social unrest and strike activity by the many ignored workers and communities is acknowledged. But corporate me-too-ism opens up an opportunity for vigilance and critique that must not be ignored. TorontotheBetter has always combined its promotion of good local actors with a calling out of the bad. Further, and here is our second “but”, our activity to socialize enterprise was never conceived or intended as a rejection of political routes to change. A political strategy for socio-economic transformation is a must have for socially and economically targeted change agents like TorontotheBetter. As we head into an end-of-year  period of reflection required by ongoing pandemic disruptions all must remind ourselves that economic and political, state and non-state, initiatives must support each other. Progressive movements in history have often foundered because they excluded key agents and factors. Some political movements have ignored the basic needs of the people in whose name their movements were launched, while economic change agents have found their actions ignored and marginalized by the engineers of political power.  At another moment of massive change like the present TorontotheBetter reminds all, including ourselves, that our work must be holistic and inclusive to achieve lasting change. A movement is always a collaboration and the successful ones are those that accommodate all brothers and sisters, indigenous and non-indigenous, genuinely committed to a common aspiration for a better world. "Reconciliation" is not enough. In 2021 and beyond TorontotheBetter continues to seek transformation.              

# posted by Taodhg @ 8:43 am