Reflections on Vancouver, British Columbia and other topics, related or not
B.C.’s media
unite in grief
The great man’s gone but his wit, talent and selflessness
stand as a testimonial to B.C. public discourse
Greg Klein | October 12, 2017
The public reacts as tragedy strikes B.C.’s media.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood
For, like, nothing now can ever?
Like, come to any good?
Such sentiments, often condensed to 140 characters, flowed freely as British Columbia’s media mourned one of their own. Rafe Mair has died, they cried. Rafe Mair has died.
Voices broke and texting thumbs blistered as luminaries of the province’s fourth estate paid tribute to a man every bit as fearless as themselves. A great, great man, what will he best be remembered for? Historians will debate for millennia to come, but his contemporaries might agree that he graced this undeserving planet chiefly through intelligence and humility, not to mention factual accuracy.
Yet he leaves a legacy affirming all that’s best in B.C. public discourse. From the Tyee to the Globe, the Straight to the Sun, the crusade of B.C. journalism endeavours, strives, aspires, to emulate his exemplary example.
For, with every Rafe Mair that kicks the bucket, dozens more finish J-school.