This is something that has been driving me nuts for some time. I want to start this off by saying I have NO problem with ANYONE that is a different race, religion, color, sex.. none of that. People are people, and we are all to be treated equal.
NOW.. with that said, there has been a lot of bullshit in the news as of late with folks from other countries coming into Canada and wanting to change OUR customs. This is what bothers me. I'm not upset that they bring over their culture. I love a lot of the foods, customs, and clothing they bring over. It's when we have to change OUR customs and cultures to accommodate them that makes my blood boil.
"Merry Christmas". That is now something that is almost illegal to say. Why the fuck has it become practically abolished from the English language? It IS still Christmas time isn't it? And yes there are other holidays in there too. I have no issues with "Happy Holidays". There are a bunch in there and we can't surely list them all individually in our greetings. But if someone in passing says "Merry Christmas", don't be an asshole and say "you mean happy holidays?" you say "thank you" and keep moving. That person was trying to be nice, not offensive. I had a guest today that started to say it and then bailed on it and shook his head. He then said "well, you know. I don't know what we can say anymore." So I told him "It's merry Christmas kind sir, and you and yours have one as well." He smiled and went on his way. I can't believe that it has to be like that. Why are we so worried about how everyone else is going to feel, when all we want to do is show someone a little yule tied love. When it comes to the service industry NO ONE gives a shit anymore about being helpful or offending customers (we'll come back to this later), but in day to day conversations we have to feel bad for trying to be nice.
[Christmas no longer celebrated in schools] My daughter who is in grade one now, does not have a Christmas pageant or assembly. They have the "Festival of Festivals". In some ways it's nice because like I said there are a bunch of holidays in there and they learn a little about different cultures. I don't mind that. I actually like that my daughter is learn a lot about different cultures. Now the kicker is that on the news last night there are schools here in the city that have Muslim children in the classrooms and they have to provide those children with head phones while in school so they don't hear any Christmas carols. Why are the children not allowed to learn about our culture? Our traditions? Yes it's a public school, but this is Canada. We celebrate this season with songs about flying reindeer, and jolly old Saint Nick. It's fun. That's all it is. Why can't the kids have some fun? Why are we serious all the time?
[Sikh Mounties permitted to wear turbans] - I don't care, once again, that Baltej Singh Dhillon is a Sikh. I don't care what his beliefs are, I don't care about the color of his skin, so on and so on. If I need an RCMP and he shows up, he better do his fucking job, that's all I ask of him. NOW.. his turban on the other hand. The Mountie is a Canadian heritage staple. When people from all over the think of Mounties the think about the red jackets and wide brimmed hats. I know that they have updated their day to day wear and he should do the same. This is the uniform, this is the heritage. It's fine if he wants to come to this country and bring his heritage with him, but in no way should it effect ours. He said in his CBC archive interview that when it comes to the protesters - "I'm willing to look these people in the eye and tell them that I'm no different from them." Agreed. It has nothing to do with you being different Mr. Dhillon, but all to do with coming to a country and changing their customs to suit your needs. If I were to join the Punjab Army, how would they treat me if I asked that they only speak in English so I can be accommodated. Or that I wanted to wear the Mountie hat because that's my heritage. (religion plays a part in there I know, but that's a huge topic for another day.)
** I started this back in December: Now the fires have calmed and the train has derailed, but I want to get this out there.. So I'm going to drop a
"To be continued..." But Please feel free to chime in. I don't want this to become a hate speech, that's not the point of it. I want everyone to be heard, but at the end of the day it's our country and we should be able to keep our heritage alive and well. If we heard to a different country do they change everything for us? No.
~Dog
