Flag waving is a dubious sport and should be considered carefully before any agitation of coloured cloth on a stick begins. Why?
In the innocent sense it is nothing more that appreciation of the nation you currently adhere to. That, I suppose, is fine until you look further along the spectrum and see that such displays are the strutting nonsense of extremist ideologies. In example I point to The National Front of Britain, The Nazis of Germany and the assorted dictatorial regimes around the world that need to impress, constantly, their greatness upon those not thinking for themselves. The flag has become a virile representative of the nation and by flaunting its badge the individual is, by association, so empowered.
I always feel embarrassed when news anchors proclaim another medal for Canada and hoist our 47 year old emblem to the rafters and holler Oh Canada. It is the athlete that has struggled trained and abstained; not the nation but still we raise our virility and count how many times we do it then compare with others just how big our dick is.
It used to be, back in the old country, that the flag was only strung from tree to tree and waved on special occasions or if the Fascists needed an erection. Imagine my confusion when I arrived in North America only to find flags strung from every conceivable yard on every single day?
Canada day just about squeaks into the realm of innocent flag waving. But not when you hear people muttering things like “Canada for Canadians.” Behind that is the evil of extremism, intolerance and national pride for the sake of penis weight.
Wave the flag when it is right to do so, when you are happy to be Canadian beside all your varied Canadian kin; not because you feel superior.
Happy Belated Canada Day.