Monday, July 04, 2005
Canadian patriots and other mythical creatures
Wow...it's been a while. Trying to pay for a year of college with three months of work can take a lot out of you. But I thought I should at least write something today, it being the fourth of July.
Over the past few days, we've borne witness to another round of national celebration above and below the 49th parallel. And we've seen yet again the striking differences between how Canadians and Americans celebrate their countries.
Here in Canada, we have what might as well be termed Not America Day. Canadian national identity is this: we are not Americans. As far as the civilized world is concerned, we're Americans (only colder), and as far as the uncivilized world is concerned, we're Americans (only less of a bother). But here in Canada, you'll be quickly reminded of the differences every Canada Day (not to mention most other days of the year). Mostly it has to do with bacon and what-all.
Oh yeah, and that whole "we're nicer" thing. And if you want proof that we're nicer, just take a look at the origins of our national days. The Americans, 229 years ago today, took it upon themselves to free their land from corrupt and opportunistic overseers. Meanwhile, up here, 138 years ago, we were let go by those same overseers because we weren't worth it anymore. Oh, but we weren't given complete autonomy until the 1930s. Excuse me, I've forgotten what we're celebrating.
No wonder Canada has such a reputation as being "mostly harmless" (to borrow from Douglas Adams). While the Americans sing an anthem about the battle they fought for their individual freedom, we sing an anthem whose lyrics, when they hold any meaning at all, are about total rabid devotion to one's country - there's no "land of the free", no "home of the brave", no "perilous fight", no "free men shall stand"…for us, there's "true patriot love" and "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee". How Father Knows Best. How Canadian.
Then there's our flag. The Pearson administration introduced us to a new national symbol that - unlike its predecessor - contains the same two colors as the Liberal Party logo. Coincidence? How about the fact that the only recognizable shape on the flag is that of a leaf which belongs to a species of tree found only in the East? Now consider the US flag: thirteen stripes for the original union, and a star for every one of today's member states. How inspiring. How historic. How American.
On Canada Day, I watched the fireworks here in town because, hey, fireworks. Tonight, I'll watch A Capitol Fourth and actually feel something.
And that's why, if someone asks me to sing my national anthem, I'll stand up and shout The Star-Spangled Banner to the rafters. Or maybe Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
Over the past few days, we've borne witness to another round of national celebration above and below the 49th parallel. And we've seen yet again the striking differences between how Canadians and Americans celebrate their countries.
Here in Canada, we have what might as well be termed Not America Day. Canadian national identity is this: we are not Americans. As far as the civilized world is concerned, we're Americans (only colder), and as far as the uncivilized world is concerned, we're Americans (only less of a bother). But here in Canada, you'll be quickly reminded of the differences every Canada Day (not to mention most other days of the year). Mostly it has to do with bacon and what-all.
Oh yeah, and that whole "we're nicer" thing. And if you want proof that we're nicer, just take a look at the origins of our national days. The Americans, 229 years ago today, took it upon themselves to free their land from corrupt and opportunistic overseers. Meanwhile, up here, 138 years ago, we were let go by those same overseers because we weren't worth it anymore. Oh, but we weren't given complete autonomy until the 1930s. Excuse me, I've forgotten what we're celebrating.
No wonder Canada has such a reputation as being "mostly harmless" (to borrow from Douglas Adams). While the Americans sing an anthem about the battle they fought for their individual freedom, we sing an anthem whose lyrics, when they hold any meaning at all, are about total rabid devotion to one's country - there's no "land of the free", no "home of the brave", no "perilous fight", no "free men shall stand"…for us, there's "true patriot love" and "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee". How Father Knows Best. How Canadian.
Then there's our flag. The Pearson administration introduced us to a new national symbol that - unlike its predecessor - contains the same two colors as the Liberal Party logo. Coincidence? How about the fact that the only recognizable shape on the flag is that of a leaf which belongs to a species of tree found only in the East? Now consider the US flag: thirteen stripes for the original union, and a star for every one of today's member states. How inspiring. How historic. How American.
On Canada Day, I watched the fireworks here in town because, hey, fireworks. Tonight, I'll watch A Capitol Fourth and actually feel something.
And that's why, if someone asks me to sing my national anthem, I'll stand up and shout The Star-Spangled Banner to the rafters. Or maybe Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
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