There is an Ottawa high school – Notre Dame – which this year is not
allowed to continue its tradition of Remembrance Day visits by veterans or
offer displays of Canadian weaponry, uniforms, etc.
Because some students come from war-torn countries, for some of them
their military is a source of fear, oppression, death, etc.
This is an error because Remembrance Day does not glorify war or
violence, or oppression. The purpose is to honour citizens who fought to
preserve freedom and end atrocity elsewhere.
Those students have left their troubled homeland, and now abide in
Canada. In this country, soldiers in uniform are peacekeepers. They bring help
in natural disasters home and abroad. Yes, they represent military might, but
we are privileged to have no reason to fear them.
Remembrance Day is an opportunity to teach an important lesson in
Canadian civics to new students. Here is a perfect teaching moment for them to
learn Canadian history and customs.
Though, perhaps, the Ottawa School Board has a different lesson on Canadian
history and customs in mind when they caved to a few dissenting voices. After all, hasn’t that become the Canadian
way?
Ugh. Ugh, ugh and ugh. Welcome to the melting pot, where we stand for nothing and fall for everything. Sigh!
ReplyDeleteAs an American, we also find this type of caving in so often and in so many areas. I feel for all of you. It's interesting though that while school boards, governments et al are so concerned about hurting the feelings of a few, the hurt feelings of the many always seem to be ignored...sad state of affairs.
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