I read in an article on CBC.com that a New Brunswick elementary school has decided that its students should no longer have to sing O'Canada each morning before commencing with class instead only having them belt it out at monthly assemblies. The schools Principal made the decision based upon some complaints from parents who felt that it wasn't appropriate to make their children sing the anthem (probably because of its God reference, or its non gender biased language). People are up in arms over this, calling the Principal unpatriotic and saying things along the lines of "this is canada, if you don't want to sing the anthem of this nation then go live somewhere else:
Can we say overreacting much?
I haven't sung the anthem in class since grade 1 and I extremely patriotic.
Not to mention isn't singing it everyday a little bit of an overkill? Cheapening the patriotism of it all? Shouldn't we save it for moments of somewhat importance?
And, my real issue with this whole debacle are peoples' reactions to its cancelation.
clearedfordeparture wrote:"Our forefathers layed down their lives for that flag. It is time for us proud canadians to raise a lot of hell over this unpatriotic BS...Maybe the kids whose parents don't want the anthem played should have to pull their kids out of school."
BrendaLynn wrote "After reading a few of the comments posted that agree with this principal's decision to stop the singing of the national anthem in his school, I have only disgust and disrespect for the principal and writers of those comments. Why is it, that only in Canada, are we bullied into accommodating and fulfilling the frequently absurd requests of our `new citizens'?? It's no wonder these `new citizens' don't emigrate to the United States or Australia or many other countries that actually have the backbone to stand up for their culture and traditions. Sadly, we, as Canadians, have become the laughing stock of the world. We gladly welcome and support new immigrants to our beautiful country but unfortunately, allow many of these new immigrants to slowly and painfully coerce us into removing what makes us proud to be Canadians."
I mean honestly people, talk about making a mountain out of a molehill. Give me a freakin' break! Because obviously if our children don't belt out an oftune rendtion of O'Canada everymorning to a scratchy recording crackling out from bargain bin intercom systems then our nation is truly going to fall a part *insert sarcasm here*
I mean isn't it more important to get to the rood of this problem - why parents wouldn't want their children to sing O'Canada in the first place. Or why students feel that the only way for them to show patriotism is to stand at attention and salute? Can't we teach our youth that blind loyalty to a flag is not a good thing? That questioning our nation and ourselves is our patriotic duty not mumbling out a few lyrics now and again.
We should address why our nations anthem doesn't represent Canadian's anymore because if we have to force our kids to sing the anthem then are they truly patriotic? Can patriotism be forced?
No.
It needs to be inspired.
Now I'm reading comments that because the principal is activly involved in the peace movement he wants to remove the anthem from school. Why, because its so war like ???? Give me a break people. This is a non-issue.
Some educational issues to get up in arms over :
- Overcrowding
- Lack of funding
- Quality of adminstration and teachers
- The fact that our education system is still based upon a set u designed during the industrial revolution to prepare children for life working in a factory
- The fact that education text books still reference material writtien in the warly 1900
Really want to be patriotic - VOTE in the next election, wear a flag on your backpack and please GROW UP!
Links to the articles:
N.B. School silence O Canada
Schools Should Have To Play O Canada
This work by Ophelia3 is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Canada License.
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