I am not and never have been keen on flags and other displays of patriotism. I am immensely grateful to have been born in a country that respects the rule of law and equal rights for everyone, but I never understood the concept of pride of country. Canada isn’t a cool place because of me. I do my best to be a good person every day, but I’m nothing special, patriotism-wise.
Still, in those sensitive times, many people rally around national symbols as a way to shied ourselves from the mayhem in Washington. And at the risk of making René Lévesque roll over in his grave, this includes a lot of Quebecers.
In my Ottawa Citizen column this week I ask readers to help me figure out who, other than people opposed to MAGA-washed Americans, we are. Here are a few answers. Send me yours!
Deanne wrote:
I’m Canadian, and proud as all get out. I love our socialism and care for those who come to our house to call it home, but wish for a much better support system when they arrive. I love the beauty of our land; from coast to coast to coast we are breathtaking with lakes and oceans, mountains and prairies, and expansive north of tundra, ice, snow and our indigenous families. Like you, flag waving has never been something I am prone to do; sorry to use the “f” word, but seems a tad fascist. I’m proud to love who I want, to be who I am, and to know that others have the same rights. On that score I worry a conservative government may seek to limit our freedoms in this regard, namely the leader of the official opposition claiming there are only two genders. This proposes a rather slippery slope. In closing, Canada is Canada because we seek to be unapologetically (sorry!) ourselves. Those who seek to find our identity in another nation, will be on a fruitless venture. We are free to be ourselves here.
Steve said:
“Who we are”? The short of it: Canadians! The long of it: Requires a lot more time and space afforded by an email. So, I will say this... Understanding what a Canadian is begins with a study of the Human Journey; and continues with an analysis of Canada’s place in that journey. It’s a process that was (is?) a part of the primary/secondary school curriculum. In the end, with a reasonable level of intelligence, one is provided a solid foundation on which to build a personal understanding, appreciation (possibly pride) of Self and Country.
