For this, could I be arrested?
Apparently, the singing of the National Anthem is mandated in schools. Kids don't have to just listen, they are supposed to sing it! In and of itself this seems ridiculous. Do I smell 'indoctrination'?
However, I don't oppose singing the anthem because 'Big Brother' demands it. I oppose it because the lyrics are simply wrong. Here's my objections:
O' Canada
Our home and native land
Sure, Canada is my home but I'm not native to it. The original settlers were the Inuit, Iroquios, Algonquin, Huron, etc. You know, Native Canadians. Since we are required to teach the children Canadian history, I'm pretty sure the books don't say the 'natives' gave us this land willingly.
True patriot love
Ugh. Be patriotic and love your country. Sorry, you can't force me to love my country. I certainly enjoy it but I refuse to stop improving it. I don't think my country is the best in the world but, even if it were, I'd still think there is more to gain by improving it than blindly loving it as it is.
In all thy sons command
See my previous blog entry on patriarchy. Half the Canadian population should be offended that the 'sons' are commanding. Our government and military are filling up with women so a nod to them in the anthem would be appreciated.
With glowing hearts
We see thee rise
The True North strong and free
Who/what is rising? And are we really the 'True North'? Is there another country out there claiming they are the true north? I'm confused.
From far and wide
O' Canada
We stand on guard for thee
Militarism. All us Canadians are prepared to stand guard and take up (thankfully) a defensive position. I guess the anthem could have said 'We conquer all for thee' so maybe this is a good line. Except, why is it repeated two more times later on? Why does the French version of our anthem say (translated to English) 'Will protect our homes and rights' which, I think, is a far more positive message? Is this to encourage the children to join the army?
God keep our land
Glorious and free
Oh dear. You can guess where I'm going with this so I'll be brief. Whether one believes in god(s) or not, I think we can agree that it is not up to invisible beings to protect our land, it's up to us. WE keep the land glorious and free. 'Nuff said.
O' Canada
We stand on guard for thee
O' Canada
We stand on guard for thee
Fight for your country! Don't negotiate with terrorists! You're either with us or against us! Grow up ready to fight, kill and maim for the state!
Yep, this anthem has got to go. When I presented these arguments to a classroom recently the kids seemed, well, shocked. First, they couldn't believe a teacher was actually arguing against the anthem (a lesson in critical thinking, children) and then, they didn't realize what the message was they were singing about. A group of girls wanted to spend class time rewritting the lyrics (although they privately thought that rewriting the lyrics was disrespectful!). I might take a teeny bit of flack over this but nothing is more rewarding to a teacher than seeing a class full of kids suddenly go, "Well, I'll be..... ."
10 comments:
Great lesson!
I hope to god that you never get the opportunity to spew your filth to my children.
People like you make me sick.
Thanks Michelle!
I think Anonymous might be a friend of mine being sarcastic (you know who you are!). The clues are: spelling 'god' with a lower case, the lack of exclamation points, proper spelling and sentence structure and not 'all caps'. Not the biggest laugh I had all day, but a good one.
I recently moved to Canada from the US ("fleeing" would be an appropriate term for what I did!). I never liked the Canadian anthem, but I assumed it was just something people sang at sports events. I had no idea they sing it in schools - let alone that you HAVE to sing it!
It scares me that my kids will grow up with that. I can only thank you for making me aware of the situation.
It t'weren't me... I agree with everything you said.
This is the stupidest shit I've ever read.
This is absolutely stupid.
Home an native land?
Dude, I'm Canadian. I am Canadian, and this country we live in is Canadian, and therefore I am a native Canadian. That does not make me a Native Indian, or a First Nations person. But I am a native Canadian.
True Patriot love.
Are you an idiot. True patriot love is not blind love, patriot love is exactly what you are talking about- always trying to make your country a better place. If you don't love this country, then fucking leave.
In all thy sons command.
I agree with this point. The anthem should be amended to include women. At the same time, any good son of Canada knows that there show is run by a woman, and to boot, being a Son implies having a mother. So women are clearly implied.
The True North strong and Free.
You're just being a nitpicky dickhead and this point, grasping for straws.
From far an wide, O Canada,
we stand on guard for thee.
You say Militarism. First, why does stand on guard have to imply militarism. I can stand on guard for something by Loving it, or by amending it's laws, or by participating in it's democracy. At the same time, when Hitler is mass murdering half of Europe, I'd hope Canada can muster up some militarism. You live in this land and get to live your stupid fucking thoughts because Canadians died on beaches and fields standing on guard for Canada against Fascism.
God keep our land,
Glorious and Free.
As you say, We keep our land glorious and free. By standing on guard for it, which was said 2 lines earlier, but you apparently won't sing because it's militaristic. And then bitch about again at the end of the anthem. Stand on guard means exactly what you say in regards to this point, but we can't do that, because apparently it's militaristic.
And the God part, frankly, God is synonym for your free Religious beliefs. Your religious belief is secular humanism.
You, sir, are a joke who's own theories are hypocritical and stupid. Your premises about stand on guard, particularly, are completely nonsensical and change to suit what you want to hear rather than following any sort of reason.
As one person said, if I ever heard this filth being taught to my kid a a public school I'd be taking the school board to court.
pathetic.
Ahh, the random regurgitations of anonymous writers.
People like you should be arrested.
Be grateful about our country. Be glad that war isn't on in Canada. Be thankful that there is no child labor. Be happy Canada is free.
If you don't love this country than please leave, traitor.
Oh yeah and the God keep our land crack isn't funny. Wherether you believe in him or not is up to you. But he is all around us. He made the earth for us. He could easily remove it from us.
There's just no love like religious love!
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