O_Canada

O Canada Our home and native land! Ever since kindergarten, students have been forced to stand through the nation’s anthem day in and day out. Certainly, anyone you ask will tell you that students don’t necessarily show the proper respect during this wonderful song. Canada has faced a lot of changes in the past decades, big and small. Equality is a very important ideal for Canadian culture, and rightfully so, especially considering the wonderful diversity in our city, in our nation. There are, however, certain things that should not be change. We’ve taken prayer out of schools, started calling “Christmas break”, “Winterholidays”. It’s no longer politically correct to say “gay” or “retarded”. Same-sex marriage has been legalized. We’ve created festivals to honourmulticulturalism, encouraged immigrants, given women the right to vote and legal status as persons. In 1990, the government proposed a change that was denied (for good reason) to the lyrics. They suggested that the line “our home and native land” should be changed to “our home and cherished land.” Why' Good question. Because it was offensive to those who were not native of Canada. The thing the government neglected to consider was that this is a song for Canada. It’s not a song for those who might come to Canada. We need to, as a country, remember our native roots, because without them, where would we be' Yes, I vote equality in every way. But I refuse to let them destroy my heritage for the right of making one line equal when, really, no one cares. All these the changes we've seen over the years are without a doubt, very good. But there is a line, and our government is crossing that line. This is our anthem. And they’re not part of it. Dispute has been made about the English line: “True patriot love in all thy sons command.” Surely, this blatant sexism is completely and totally unacceptable, because every time a woman is forced to listen to this hideous song, she feels isolated. Ask anyone. So we should change it obviously. And while we’re at it, let’s just take out the part about “God keep our land.” That’s not completely fair to all the religions that don’t follow a “God”. Oh, and since we’re being incredibly neutral here, we should take out the line “we stand on guard for thee.” Surely those who are paraplegic are crying inside every time this line is sung. You might say I’m being disrespectful. You might say that I’m not considering other people’s feelings. This country set a new world record for the Olympics, hosting 17 amazing days. Do you remember the opening ceremonies, where they brought out the natives to show their respect' How can our government advocate taking their reference out of our song' How can they argue sexism when the only reason it says “sons” is to match the rhythm. Surely, even to those who are offended by these lyrics, they only serve as a reminder to what they should fight for. But not in our song. O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.