Where Is Home
Let’s discuss the meaning of the word patriotism.
I would like to suggest two suitable synonyms for the English meaning of this powerful word: love and devotion. In fact, to be patriotic, according to the Oxford English Dictionary is to possess a “marked devotion to the well-being [i.e. love] and interests of one’s country.” In other words, to be a patriot, you must show love and devotion to your country. Rather vague terms, wouldn’t you agree?
A Flapper from Chapleau
James Rose is a bad bad man
Mustachioed, bowtied, firm jawed
Villain of Chapleau
A rail man, a hard-working man, keeping
Sugar lumps and cream at table
For tea, pennies in a Mason jar
Forty three, nimble and spry
Palestine: Life Under Occupation
I’m not going to write about the history of the conflict in Israel-Palestine. I’m not going to write about the politics and policies. I’m not going to write about the peace processes and the one-state solution or the two-state solution. I will not write about theories or discourses of violence and conflict. Voices get lost in the noise when talking about these issues. All of these concerns are important to address, but what I want to do, is convey to you how the Occupation of Palestine affects people daily.
Because I’d Rather Be Flag Burning
Patriotism. Nation. State. Nationalism. Allegiance. Duty. Flag. Words perhaps not so different within the context of the modern world in which we live. We are quick to place them in the same category; one that insists upon a harsh obedience to a status quo. A status quo of silence, if you will.
In Defence of Canada
Why do I study Canada? That is a question I have been asked a lot and it is a question I frequently ask myself. I am about to finish my undergraduate degree here at Laurier as a Canadian Studies major and I plan on continuing with my studies at graduate school in the same field. Canadian Studies is an odd program as Canada is an odd subject, never quite fitting into one specific discipline.
The News
All I want is the front page:
condense those words,
your words,
for me, recycle those images.
Headline News it for me,
scan the headlines like poetry,
and then wash the news
from your fingers.
Citizenship
What does it mean to be a citizen of Canada? Or a citizen of the world? I think that to even approach an answer, we need to first ask what it means to be a non-citizen, a secondary citizen, or a so-called ‘undesirable’ citizen.
Korean-Canadian Poet
Growing up my parents told me I was Korean-Canadian. I resented that. Why couldn’t I just be Canadian like the other kids? I mean, like the white kids in my neighbourhood. They didn’t have to eat rice and kimchi, bow to their elders, or go to Korean school. They got to play Nintendo, eat spaghetti and talk back to their parents. They were so cool. I just wanted to be Canadian.
Olympic Spirit, Olympic Shame
Hey there. My name’s Jordan. I just started highschool this year in my hometown, Fort McMurray. But I’m not there right now. My family and I—that’s me, my parents and my little brother Mikey—are off to the Vancouver Olympics! It’s really exciting. In school we’ve been talking about supporting our athletes and cheering for Canada—I get to do it all live! And my family’s even more connected to all of it than lots of people, because my dad works for Petro Canada, and my mom works for RBC. They’re both supporting the Olympics. Cool, eh? The drive only takes two days!
Confessions of a Third Culture Kid
I can distinctly remember quarrelling with my eldest cousin over the concept of patriotism. He told me it was something I absolutely had to feel—there was no option and no argument. Of course, he didn’t know whom he was up against. As a child I was relentless; no debate could be long enough and the barrages of questions (and snide remarks) were never ending—especially with him.
False Idol
The crowd pressed forward as the
Worship leaders emerged
To lead them in
Song and Dance,
In honour of the
Red and White…
Bottle.
Beholder V
“Your fortitude is commendable. You are not a creature of this land. Which fiend is your master?”
