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11| W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,M ay 24,2018 w aterloochronicle.ca Cartons are containers Keep them loose, do not bag Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs Learn more at regionofwaterloo.ca/waste Never again will I take for granted my right to speak and write freely about issues that matter to me. I recently met a journal- ist who'd been denied this opportunity and labelled a terrorist simply for doing what I am doing now - shar- ing an opinion. You may recall that, back in April, my dog and I participated in The Dog Jog, a local event created by three Conestoga College students to raise awareness and funds in support of ref- ugees settling in our area. Earlier this month, that experience came full circle during an Uber ride to Pear- son International Airport, when my husband and I started chatting with our driver. The first time Davut Belgsu came to Canada, he visited as a tourist. When he returned here just over a year ago, he came as a refu- gee. Belgsu told me that he and his family were forced to flee Turkey following a military coup that saw hun- dreds of journalists arrest- ed and media outlets shut down. His crime? Reporting about the country's govern- ment and political environ- ment for a large daily news- paper. He considers himself one of the lucky ones. More than 300 of his colleagues remain imprisoned in Tur- key, he told me, adding that engineers and university professors were also heavi- ly targeted. Belgsu came to Waterloo Region with his wife and family and was granted ref- ugee status. He said they can never go back to Tur- key, as they are all consid- ered terrorists by associa- tion. Back in Turkey, Belgsu's family lived in a big house with a pool and drove nice cars. Here in Canada, they are starting out again, but that's just fine with him. "I don't miss it at all be- cause here my head is so re- laxed," he explained. Belgsu loved being a journalist, but he's also en- joying his new role with Ub- er, viewing it as a great op- portunity to engage in con- versation and improve his English. "I want to learn to speak best English," he told me. What's next after Belgsu masters his new language? He's also an electrician, and he hopes to soon write the exam allowing him to prac- tise this trade in Canada. He also wants to write a book about his experiences, and those of the more than 100 other Turkish refugees living in Waterloo Region. Meeting Belgsu taught me that sharing opinions matters, especially during elections. We may not always like what we read. Indeed, we may disagree vehemently with certain points of view. Lashing out in retalia- tion serves no good pur- pose, however. Nor do ef- forts to silence or bully those whose opinions differ from our own. Let Belgsu's story serve as a warning about just how extreme censorship can be- come if left unchecked. This election, don't ig- nore the opinions of those with whom you disagree. Rather, let their words en- courage you to seek out facts and draw your own conclusions. When only one side of a story is heard, we all lose. ... - A freelance writer and blogger based in Waterloo, Penny Walford can be reached at penny.wal- ford@hotmail.com. OPINION Uber ride teaches lesson about need for freedom of press, especially at election time Turkish refugee's experience shows you can take free speech for granted, says Penny Walford PENNY WALFORD Column Meet Mr. Mikey. This handsome fellow is looking for a nice quiet home to live out his golden years. Mikey doesn't need a whole lot, just a home that can make a little bit of space for him and his bed. This poor guy has been here since March and is really hoping that his family is out there somewhere for him. Come into the Kitchener-Waterloo Humane Society today if you have some space in your home and heart for an older, quiet and kind cat. For more information call 519-745-5615, ext. 241. Photo courtesy of K-W Humane Society PET OF THE WEEK