Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Ozy_Flame · 01-14-2007, 06:12 AM

I was thinking about this very issue the other day.

IMO, although I am a second-generation Canadian and Westernized beyond belief, I do not consider myself to have 'Canadian' blood, I just have 'Canadian roots.' I first-and-foremost have Ukrainian blood, and that will never change - Canada is too young a country to consider it to have its own 'blood,' and is not one of the focal points for the evolution of human civilization. It is far too infant to be given 'blood' status. Hell, I don't even speak Ukrainian and I've never visited Ukraine (yet), but I would align myself with my European place of origin, not my citizenship within the context of self-identification. I am a Ukrainian-Canadian.

Second, I think with the effects of globalization and the general drive for democracy in most corners of the globe, with the intentions of multiculturalism in the civilized world, there are far more people identifying with their genetical homes as a means to differentiate within the mosaic. I truly believe this is why some ethnic groups within Canada embrace a strong ethnical community spirit - they can co-exist as both a Canadian citizen and as an ethnic member of society who identifies with family, friends, and individuals.

To provide an example of this, while it is not in Canada, it exists in New Zealand - a country that has many similar comparisons to Canadian multiculturalism. There is an exclusive Chinese Community of Auckland Phonebook, advertised on billboards and newspaper ads, that states only Chinese citizens of New Zealand can be listed in this book and embrace the Chinese community within the country. While it would seem pseudo-racist (and somewhat elitist) at first, it shows to me a strong identification with their genetical roots in conjunction with their rights to be a Kiwi Citizen.

I think multiculuralism tries to encapsulate the cyclical waves of inherent nationalism within people, and the article to me suggests that it is currently on the upswing, which also suggests that in due time, it will reccess once again.

01-14-2007, 06:12 AM	#5
Ozy_Flame Posted the 6 millionth post! Join Date: Feb 2002 Exp:	I was thinking about this very issue the other day. IMO, although I am a second-generation Canadian and Westernized beyond belief, I do not consider myself to have 'Canadian' blood, I just have 'Canadian roots.' I first-and-foremost have Ukrainian blood, and that will never change - Canada is too young a country to consider it to have its own 'blood,' and is not one of the focal points for the evolution of human civilization. It is far too infant to be given 'blood' status. Hell, I don't even speak Ukrainian and I've never visited Ukraine (yet), but I would align myself with my European place of origin, not my citizenship within the context of self-identification. I am a Ukrainian-Canadian. Second, I think with the effects of globalization and the general drive for democracy in most corners of the globe, with the intentions of multiculturalism in the civilized world, there are far more people identifying with their genetical homes as a means to differentiate within the mosaic. I truly believe this is why some ethnic groups within Canada embrace a strong ethnical community spirit - they can co-exist as both a Canadian citizen and as an ethnic member of society who identifies with family, friends, and individuals. To provide an example of this, while it is not in Canada, it exists in New Zealand - a country that has many similar comparisons to Canadian multiculturalism. There is an exclusive Chinese Community of Auckland Phonebook, advertised on billboards and newspaper ads, that states only Chinese citizens of New Zealand can be listed in this book and embrace the Chinese community within the country. While it would seem pseudo-racist (and somewhat elitist) at first, it shows to me a strong identification with their genetical roots in conjunction with their rights to be a Kiwi Citizen. I think multiculuralism tries to encapsulate the cyclical waves of inherent nationalism within people, and the article to me suggests that it is currently on the upswing, which also suggests that in due time, it will reccess once again.