When I was in university, I majored in history. In one of my classes, we were discussing the views of Dr. Jack Granatstein a Canadian historian and (former) Director of the Canadian War Museum. Dr. Granatstein suggested that it is wrong, possibly unpatriotic, to examine the less desirable parts of our history. felt that by studying the dark parts of our history so much, we are creating a sense of shame and lack of national pride.
I, however, take a different view: We need to study the negatives to understand how they happened and why. (Much like Germany teaching the rise of the Third Reich and about Holocaust). We need to understand this so as not to ever make the same mistakes again. True patriot love isn’t closing your eyes to the negatives; it is loving your country enough to look it in the eye and say “We can do better. We will do better.”
And the right to demand that we do better isn’t just for born Canadians. It extends to newcomers, too. I feel it is important because I read on Twitter (become I X-ited out of there!) that many recent immigrants and refugees are made to feel like they don’t have a say; that they should be only undying grateful. No. Anyone who calls Canada (or any country) home has the right to make observations and criticism. Immigrants. Indigenous people. Refugees. Canadians by birth. Anyone.
So, as Canada Day comes to a close, think with pride about all we have done….and then look for ways to make it better…and take action.
PS: This class was over 20 years ago. So while I don’t think I am misrepresenting his argument, I may indeed be misremembering it. If so, my apologies to Dr. Granastein.
Introviews 
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