Canada

 

I remember how controversial the idea was, to create a 'new' Canadian flag.  How many poo-poo'd the idea, some complained about the expense, etc.  

Some people objected because 'you can't just *change* the flag'!

I never saw the controversy, myself.  I thought the idea of using the maple leaf as a symbol was, well, symbolic, even though it was rare to see a maple tree where I live.  

In the end, the country chose to change and the rest were dragged along, some of them kicking and screaming.

We had never been a country to fly the flag, much.  When I started going down to the US, it was a bit of a 'shock' to me how many places had US flags, proudly flying - not just over government buildings, but homes.  

We would roll out flags for Canada Day, sometimes during playoff season, especially for hockey.  But mostly?  Canadians weren't prone to waving the flag much.

One year the federal government gave free flags for anyone who wanted one.  We got one and Doug arranged to hang it above the front door.  Once it was up, we realized our house was the only house in the neighbourhood that was flying a flag, and it became a marker for anyone coming to our house.

There were a few years when a new neighbour started flying a flag, about 3 times the size of ours.  It was so huge they had to mount a pole to the house to fly it.  All through that time we continued to let our flag fly, even when the alt right appropriated the flag - frequently upside down or with comments about the PM.

We are 'liberals' in 'conservative' country.  I don't think I have ever sent a representative to Ottawa, and right now, the current Con MP certainly does not speak for me.  

I have little faith that a Liberal candidate will take our riding.  All the polls say it is a 99% certainty that the Con MP will go to Ottawa again.

So, I'd like to remind people that just because a Con gets elected doesn't mean that there are no 'liberals' who live here.

I will continue to advocate for others who need it.  I will continue to fly the Canadian flag - I do not 'reclaim' the flag because I never stopped believing that Canada - as a country - can be more inclusive, more supportive of those who need help, can continue to do the work of truth and reconciliation.  

We have issues that need addressing.  But I do not believe that anyone part of the alt-right will be much concerned about anyone but themselves.  So, call me 'woke' if you like.  I'd rather be awake than tuning in to some person's fever dreams.  I'd rather be supportive of people who may need some help - people burned out due to wildfires due to climate change, for example.  I prefer to have a functioning government that sees need and tries to address it, rather than destroying government services.

Being a 'good' country is a process.  I hope that my country will at least *try* to help its citizens, not create chaos and uncertainty.

But maybe it's just because I'm a dreamer...

Imagine....