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23 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,June 24,2021 w aterloochronicle.ca It was not a plane. It certainly wasn't Su- perman. But, it was definitely a bird. Two birds, in fact, one extended middle finger from each hand and flipped in the direction of anti- lockdown protesters in up- town Waterloo earlier this month. The person flipping the double-barrelled bird was none other than city of Wa- terloo Ward 7 Coun. Tenille Bonoguore, captured in a photo that was shared widely on social media. She was quick to apolo- gize, also via social media, saying, " ... out of sheer and utter frustration, and in a spontaneous act, I silently registered my private pro- test against this rally ... I want to be clear that I was acting as a frustrated pri- vate citizen and not in my capacity as a city council- lor. This was not a planned communication, but was completely spontaneous .... I recognize that the gesture I used was generally inap- propriate in a civil society and not something I'd want my children to do. I apolo- gize for this choice of ges- ture." If we're being honest about it, the anti-lockdown rallies themselves re- present a proverbial "mid- dle finger" to the rest of the community. The rallies, which run counter to what most people in Waterloo Region think and feel, are a dismissive gesture that show little regard for one's neighbour. Most of us are respectful and are willing to do our part by wearing masks, fol- lowing public health ad- vice, and adhering to gov- ernment restrictions. What's the problem, then, with answering the proverbial middle finger in similar fashion, only this time with a literal middle finger? Haven't we long be- moaned the idea that poli- ticians rarely, if ever, show their human side? Bonoguore's actions were certainly human and, frankly, she likely did what many of us have ourselves thought of doing. Of course, incivility is rarely stamped out with more incivility and Bono- guore was right to apolo- gize. We should count among the positive out- comes from this situation that there was no further escalation of incivilities be- tween the protesters and the politician. Yes, the politician. Not the private citizen. This is an important point because as much as Bonoguore would like to make distinct her role as a city councillor and her life as a private citizen, there is no such distinction to draw when she is in a public space. Like it or not, holding public office brings addi- tional responsibility and scrutiny. While undeni- ably still free to behave in any manner you choose, your public behaviours will always be measured against your role as a poli- tician. What you do behind closed doors will always be your business but, once elected, your outward-fac- ing behaviours become the public's business. That doesn't mean giv- ing the middle finger to a group of protesters with whom you disagree consti- tutes a breach of your council's code of conduct. But it does mean your ges- ture will be measured against the office you hold and will be held to the same standards of civility that are expected inside council chambers. Is there a political price to be paid for this public gesture? I doubt it, but we won't know for sure until 2022. Columnist Mike Far- well is a broadcaster, MC and advocate. Follow him on Twitter at @far- well_WR, or connect with him via Mike.Far- well@rci.rogers.com. COUNCILLOR'S GESTURE RUFFLES SOME FEATHERS Tenille Bonoguore, city councillor for Waterloo Ward 7-Uptown, in sunhat, protests against the anti-lockdown rally earlier this month. Mathew McCarthy photo OPINION MIKE FARWELL Column We're Back! Save the Date! Looking forward to seeing you at our Drive Thru Ribfest on August 7! www.CambridgeRibfest.com #CbridgeRibfest Graduate of Lester B. Pearson Congratulations on graduating Brooke! You worked hard and always gave it your best. We are so proud of you! Love Dad, Mom and Megan Brooke Dell CongratulationsCongratulations OF2021TO The graduatesgraduates