The Montreal Massacre
Photo credit: Moment Factory
Remember, remember the 6th of December: The Montreal Massacre
Thirty years ago, as a little girl growing up in Montreal, I lost my innocence. I’ll never forget that day. Not December 6th, 1989, but the next day, December 7th. The memory of the front-page of the Montreal Gazette is singed in my mind. The photograph that was chosen to accompany the headline wouldn’t make newspapers today, let alone a front page. It showed a man taking down holiday garland that read, 'Bonne Année'. Happy New Year. In the foreground is a lifeless body, slumped in a cafeteria chair.
Happy New Year. Your life is over, and so are the lives of those who loved you.
My twelve-year-old self will never forget that photograph. I imagine the man in the photograph was doing the one thing he knew how at that moment. It gives the impression he’s trying to keep control, to show respect. Shock works in strange ways.
You can find the photo online, but often with the lower half cropped out. I'll let you search for the iconic Allen McKinnis photograph yourself. Mr. McKinnis managed to capture the horror of the Montreal Massacre so well, you'd think he’d been there. Be warned: the photo is graphic in nature.
The memory of December 6th, 1989, is one that should be burned into our collective unconscious.
No one should be in danger when they go to school to work or to learn, or otherwise. No one should be killed because they belong to another gender.
My hope for the next thirty years
It dawned on me this morning as I read articles about the Montreal Massacre anniversary that the very least we can do for one another is to be kind.
For the 14 women who looked hatred square in the face on December 6th, 1989, and didn’t make it home, let’s endeavour to be kind to one another, and to ourselves.
In honour of the victims, I vow to continue to strive, to do better, to break down barriers, and to live my best life—all because the women we lost on that faithful day in Montreal never got the chance.
- KM