The Canadian Way?

It's one thing to be patriotic, it's another to offend the majority of people you interact with everyday by telling them, "If you don't like it, go back to your country".

This guy that wrote this status is full of contradictions in this status and has no clue what he is talking about. As a Canadian, and a child of immigrants, he doesn't speak for me... and hopefully he does speak for anyone reading this post either.

Apparently to this bright individual who posted this status to his Facebook profile, Canada is "his" country. He proposes that immigrants should adapt to Canadian culture and not be offended by the country's history in racism, colonialism, patriarchal and heteronormative systems, sexism and so on... in order to be "honoured" to be a great Canadian like him. (To be honest, if this was the REAL criteria, I think I'd rather live elsewhere). Apparently, this is what being Canadian is about... conform to Canadian culture, or go back home. How is one to do that? I was born here, my parents immigrated here, but I happily identify myself as a Korean and as a Canadian.

Not only that, but my best friends, my coworkers that make my shift go by faster, the man that held the door open for me at the mall, the bank teller that greeted me with a smile---all immigrants. 

What this genius failed to realize is that immigrants with permanent resident status has increased dramatically in the last 50 years, HAPPILY WELCOMED BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO SUPPORT CANADA'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

What this Canadian idol missed was also the fact that he is completely surrounded by immigrants and children of immigrants, even on his Facebook. Without immigrants, "his country" would be ... where? It is clear that he deems immigrants as insignificant to Canadian history and the multiculturalism of this country.

It is also evident that he believes immigrants should be forever grateful that individuals like him ALLOWED them into the country. This promotes and maintains the idea that Westerners are the global heros rescuing those in need, when in fact, this heroism is prevalent in ignorant individuals in positions of power.

This outstanding citizen doesn't acknowledge in his status is that the Canadian National Anthem doesn't just offend certain individuals, but that Canadian history is not squeeky clean. Ever heard of Colonialism? "Our home and native land?" ... Ever question who "our" excluded? What voices were silenced?

What I want to know is, could this patriotic Canadian move his entire life to another country in order to provide a better life for his family and completely denounce his loyalty to Canada? If he moved to a another country where they burned the Canadian flag, would he conform to repress the history of Canada in his life and adapt the new receiving country's culture?

I doubt it.

It seems that culture is irrelevant to this individual, or else he would understand that culture is not just a practice, or a physical entity. It is a great part involved in one's identity. Since he has failed to see the bigger picture and the impact of his actions on a macro level, I assume that he mostly socializes with those who believe they are more Canadian, more patriotic and more important than others in THE ENTIRE WORLD. 

The degenerate that typed these senseless words (and his little sidekicks that agree with him) onto his Facebook status seems to promote this idea that being patriotic means that those who have lived in Canada longer can control HOW immigrants live, who they are... they're entire identity... And his weapon is Facebook?

Through time and development of our society and with our education, changes in our ways becomes more considerate of issues that impact marginalized individuals. By posting this status on his Facebook, this individual seems to believe in further marginalizing individuals that identify with various social divisions, and keeping them at an inferior level. Interestingly enough, he uses the word "indivisible"... but he's dividing up Canada in two groups of immigrants and Canadian-born citizens.

This facebook status is typical of one who disregards immigrants as legitimate citizens and even as actual human beings. He believes that cohabitation of immigrants is impossible if they don't fully assimilate to the receiving country. He also disregards the immigration experiences and how this shapes how these immigrants hold onto their culture. Immigrants to assimilate to Canada and the social workings of the country, but this individual simplifies this experience in a few lines on his Facebook status.

He says for immigrants to accept the culture and heritage of Canada has "we have accepted yours"... But what part of his status shows that he himself has accepted our culture? How can he accept ours if in the same breath, he gives the ultimatum to "love it or leave"? 

Dear Dumb Ass, regardless of the fact that you only speak English, you can guarantee that you're being told to go fuck yourself in a variety of languages.