Oh Canada Rewrite

It seems that the buzz of Canada’s recently having hosted the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, and their magnificent success therein, has resulted in some excessively nationalistic flag waving and anthem singing. I love this country. There is so much about Canada that I hope I stand on guard for. Valuing life, protecting rights, and taking special concern for the protection of special interest groups. If you’ve followed this blog at all, it should come as no surprise to you that I am very pro-life. As much as I love this country, I think that Canada has missed the boat in a devastating way when it comes to preserving the rights of a most special interest group: the voiceless infant persons of our country.

That aside, during these Olympics, we heard the national anthem
Oh Canada, played probably more than it ever has been played in this country's Olympic history. It came to the attention of many that this inclusive and politically correct country maintains a politically incorrect national anthem. A Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald article (the URL for which linked in article title) described a new direction being taken by the Conservative Government vis-à-vis Oh Canada. The Government has decided to "examine the…wording of the national anthem," in particular, the phrase "in all thy sons command." The Government is "suggesting that a parliamentary committee examine the subject and report back to Parliament." The goal is to rewrite the lyrics of Oh Canada to include a more gender inclusive phrase.

I have no problem with determining a more gender inclusive phrase to replace the current wording of the anthem. In fact, I support the Government to that end. REAL Women of Canada, a socially conservative women’s lobby group, has a different opinion.
REAL Women requests that "Ottawa...address the real problems Canadians face, especially economic ones." To be sure, this has become a dialogue as complex as Canadian politics themselves.

I find this entire dialogue refreshing. As much as I enjoyed the spectacle of stadiums robed in red; ski hills and bobsleigh runs adorned by cowbell banging Canadians; and streets in every Canadian city replete with dancers celebrating glorious Olympic victory: I hope that thoughtful dialogue will never take second seat to red blooded, flag waving nationalism. As long as dialogues like this one – dialogues which hear and consider all positions – are afforded priority by the citizens of this country, and by this country’s government, I think we will not forsake our identity characterized by its unique values.

If you are unfamiliar with Canada’s anthem Oh Canada, listen to this powerful rendition provided by Montréal’s Nikki Yanofsky at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies in February.