Canada is an interesting country to be living in now. As a pseudo-Canadian I get to watch what has been going on over the last two weeks in Vancouver with a slightly detached point of view.
But Canada has seemed to change in the last two weeks.
It seems odd to me that a sporting event can change a nation’s attitude, but these Olympics have inspired a new type of patriotism in the country — a type of patriotism that is genuine, unforced and confident. I can’t remember when I heard Canadians singing their national anthem. But here they are all over the country singing along every time the country wins a gold medal. People are partying and having a great time and are unabashedly proud of the country, the athletes and games.
There also hasn’t been the navel gazing debate about it either.
Canadian patriotism has always seemed a bit odd. More marked by anti Americanism or anti British-ism than something unique and self confident. Canadians have always felt a tad embarrassed by the flag waving yanks and their My Country Right or Wrong braggadocio. Canadians have always envied the Australians and the pride they show in their country.
Canadians have inherited that British liberal embarrassment at displaying patriotism in anything other than an arch, ironic way. But the constituent British are very patriotic. They might think they are not but they can be as draped in the flag as any American. Watch the Welsh at a rugby game, the Scots and their golf the English and their football. The Last Night at the Proms is silly but it is all about patriotism. The main difference is that the Brits tend to be aware that there other nations in the world.
Canadians have always apologized for any overt shows of patriotism. But the national identity is changing. I think it began with the war in Afghanistan. Canadians have been proud of their troops and patriotic in honouring the dead. Suddenly waving the flag isn’t seen as fake and American.
It is also interesting that this new found pride is a ground up type of thing. No one is trying to organize this. Canadians are not being told to be patriotic or to get into the streets and wave the flags. This isn’t some TV generated phenomena. People are genuinely expressing themselves and unashamedly so. It is quite refreshing.
I was in India once and some Brit asked me where I lived. I said Canada. He said “Ah, the quiet achiever.” I felt like telling him to f off. Today, I would have.