Does it - yes indeedy. In fact, I would argue perhaps that is it's utmost goal.
Should it - in my opinion, no siree. Well actually it depends on how you define patriotism. But I have a real problem with the idea of loyalty to a fellow country (wo)man, this idea of nationalism. Because it's exclusionary, between there is an inherent hierarchy to it - we have our interests, that is our priority, therefore your interests mean less, and perhaps then by extension you mean less than I do. And why do we have to be patriotic? What does this mean? Am I a patriot if I question my government because I want something better, or I am to be silenced? I dunno. Sometimes the idea of a nation seems so humanly constructed, so arbitrary, and yet we give so much power to the idea.
depends on how we define patriotism and maybe more importantly who gets to define what it means to be Canadian. Canada is extremely different than it was 30 years ago and will look like something completely new in another 30 years, but the signifiers used to define "Canadianess" lag behind who we really are. thus, are we teaching students to be patriotic towards an archaic version of our nation, or are we educating them to help take part in the process of continually redefining what it means to be part of this nation?
I would have to agree with both Tracy and Joel concerning citizenship education and patriotism. The ideas presented remind me of an article by Cynthia Chambers (1999), whereby she outlines how we need new interpretive tools for understanding our Canadian identity. Furthermore, I like how she questions - Who are we? Where are we? and Who are they? - in an attempt to address these ambiguities.
There's a legitimate place for patriotism in civic education, when its not filled with political rhetoric ie. going to the shopping mall as Bush would have argued in the days post 9/11. When patriotism is used to fit political agendas its more positive elements are obscured, and it takes on a different meaning. Is patriotism not something individuals 'do' when they come together as a community, or when they help and support others with a particular challenge or need? Civic education should teach patriotism that is tolerant, accepting and empathetic rather than national arrogance and superiority.
To respond to my own question, I believe that most schools in Canada have the intention of fostering patriotic thoughts. As enumerated yesterday, I consider that to achieve this these schools use different means such as the singing of the national anthem, the adornment of Canadian flags and the celebration of different civic holidays. Should these schools continue that? I have my concerns. I think that schools should promote the human identity and the human kind before they nurture patriotism. I do not believe that this represents the reality of our school systems. However, I reckon that schools, Canadian or not, should recognize the positive actions of this country, though as well as the one of other countries. Otherwise, for instance, in my case, what nation should be taught: the Quebec one, the Canadian one? (I do not believe in the construct nation as an absolute). Nevertheless, I would like to advance and to warn against some elements of Canadianess and Quebecness. I feel that those elements are predicated by political and religious agenda. In the Canadian case, I allude to the national anthem and the flag. The word God in the anthem seems to exclude every non-believer from the Canadian nationality; the word cross, every non-Christian. As for the flag, both stripes are supposed to represent both oceans, though they are red, the color of the Liberal party –blue being identified to water, though to conservatism as well. In the Quebec case, I am not comfortable with the flag as well: the blue symbolizing conservatism; and the cross in the middle, Catholicism.
Why not? However, I thk Canadians are unsure of what patriotism is - or at least they have a different understanding of patriotism. I think that some Canadians think it is a negative trait.
Does it - yes indeedy. In fact, I would argue perhaps that is it's utmost goal.
ReplyDeleteShould it - in my opinion, no siree. Well actually it depends on how you define patriotism. But I have a real problem with the idea of loyalty to a fellow country (wo)man, this idea of nationalism. Because it's exclusionary, between there is an inherent hierarchy to it - we have our interests, that is our priority, therefore your interests mean less, and perhaps then by extension you mean less than I do. And why do we have to be patriotic? What does this mean? Am I a patriot if I question my government because I want something better, or I am to be silenced? I dunno. Sometimes the idea of a nation seems so humanly constructed, so arbitrary, and yet we give so much power to the idea.
depends on how we define patriotism and maybe more importantly who gets to define what it means to be Canadian. Canada is extremely different than it was 30 years ago and will look like something completely new in another 30 years, but the signifiers used to define "Canadianess" lag behind who we really are. thus, are we teaching students to be patriotic towards an archaic version of our nation, or are we educating them to help take part in the process of continually redefining what it means to be part of this nation?
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with both Tracy and Joel concerning citizenship education and patriotism. The ideas presented remind me of an article by Cynthia Chambers (1999), whereby she outlines how we need new interpretive tools for understanding our Canadian identity. Furthermore, I like how she questions - Who are we? Where are we? and Who are they? - in an attempt to address these ambiguities.
ReplyDeleteThere's a legitimate place for patriotism in civic education, when its not filled with political rhetoric ie. going to the shopping mall as Bush would have argued in the days post 9/11. When patriotism is used to fit political agendas its more positive elements are obscured, and it takes on a different meaning.
ReplyDeleteIs patriotism not something individuals 'do' when they come together as a community, or when they help and support others with a particular challenge or need? Civic education should teach patriotism that is tolerant, accepting and empathetic rather than national arrogance and superiority.
To respond to my own question, I believe that most schools in Canada have the intention of fostering patriotic thoughts. As enumerated yesterday, I consider that to achieve this these schools use different means such as the singing of the national anthem, the adornment of Canadian flags and the celebration of different civic holidays. Should these schools continue that? I have my concerns. I think that schools should promote the human identity and the human kind before they nurture patriotism. I do not believe that this represents the reality of our school systems. However, I reckon that schools, Canadian or not, should recognize the positive actions of this country, though as well as the one of other countries. Otherwise, for instance, in my case, what nation should be taught: the Quebec one, the Canadian one? (I do not believe in the construct nation as an absolute). Nevertheless, I would like to advance and to warn against some elements of Canadianess and Quebecness. I feel that those elements are predicated by political and religious agenda. In the Canadian case, I allude to the national anthem and the flag. The word God in the anthem seems to exclude every non-believer from the Canadian nationality; the word cross, every non-Christian. As for the flag, both stripes are supposed to represent both oceans, though they are red, the color of the Liberal party –blue being identified to water, though to conservatism as well. In the Quebec case, I am not comfortable with the flag as well: the blue symbolizing conservatism; and the cross in the middle, Catholicism.
ReplyDeleteWhy not? However, I thk Canadians are unsure of what patriotism is - or at least they have a different understanding of patriotism. I think that some Canadians think it is a negative trait.
ReplyDelete