When I get older, I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom, just like a wavin’ flag.
Vancouverites have waved more than our fair share of flags over the past couple of weeks.
John Furlong, chief executive officer of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, (the group that trademarked the phrase “With glowing hearts”) suggested he was stunned at the level of patriotic outpouring that has emerged, to the point he believes it will alter the way Canadians behave.
“I think people are being left behind with something very powerful and human and uplifting and I hope that people will look back and say the people of this country took this to a different place. This is all new for us, but it is a pretty cool kind of patriotism that’s going on.”
How’s it worked for you? Has hosting the Olympics changed your perception of Canada, Canadians, and the value of patriotism?
Do you think that our culture is best represented by Montréaler Nikki Yanofsky’s version of the CTV Olympic Anthem I Believe, or by the Vancouver Sun’s choice for peoples’ anthem (actually the theme song for the FIFA 2010 World Cup) Wavin’ Flag by Somali Canadian performer K’naan?
To see Nikki Yanofsky performing I Believe go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmURDjt7Ex8&NR=1
To see K’naan performing Wavin’ Flag go to:
http://knaanmusic.ning.com/video/waving-flag-by-knaan?xg_source=activity
Or are we just too culturally complex to be represented by a song or changed by one event? After all, according to Molson, we are Canadian - as they define Canadian.
“Hey
I’m not a lumber jack or a fur trader.
And I don’t live in an igloo, or eat blubber, or own a dog sled.
And I don’t know Jimmy, Harry or Suzie from Canada.
Although I’m sure they’re really, really nice.
I have a prime minister not a president.
I speak English and French not American.
And I pronounce it about not “a-boot”.
I can proudly sew my country’s flag on my backpack.
I believe in peacekeeping not policing, diversity not assimilation.
And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.
A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch.
And it is pronounced “zed” not “zee” “zed”!
Canada is the 2nd largest landmass, the 1st nation in hockey.
And the best part of North America.
My name is Joe and I am Canadian.”
I look forward to hearing your thoughts about what Canadians are on March 4.
Share This