Canadian national anthem and TFC scarfs: Your opinion?

[james]

I think its all down to where you were brought up. All Canadians have gone through high school standing and singing their national anthems every day in class. Patriotism is intrinsic to most Canadian's. For myself, growing up in England, patriotism is almost shunned. We NEVER sung our national anthem at school, let alone at a club level sporting event! So, for people not growing up in Canada or the US, singing a national enthem before a TFC probably seems alien and pointless. But to Canadian's/American's, singing the national anthem is all part of the course.

I personally respectfully take my hat off for the national anthems at TFC games. I rarely take my scarf to summer games though.

I lived in England for 2 years, the rest was in Canada. I realized how they never sing the anthem unless its at a team England game over there. I never herd it anywhere else. The sad thing about not singing the anthem at school was most people actually don't even know the anthem at all, more so then over here anyways. I find that a bit sad, and kids growing up in England should at least know the anthem, its part of the countries identity. But the fact that we do sing the anthem at school everyday, sing it at every sporting even and other ocassions i thought singing it at every TFC game wasn't really needed, maybe save it for Team Canada games. But if they choose to keep it, its fine with me to, i am not that bothered either way!

[Cashcleaner]

Any citations regarding that? Choosing to defect or immigrate out of safety or economic concerns can't exactly be equated with a support of that form of nationalism? In the same way many Spanish anarchists escaped to countries like Cuba and Mexico after the Spanish Civil War, I doubt choosing to go to a country can be equated with a support for borders and nation-states. It seems more like a reflection of the current state of the world/necessity.

In fact, that Einstein quote appeared in his writings calling for an end to nation-states, and for a global socialist government (not something I necessarily agree with but his critique is what is helpful). So, it doesn't seem to really support your view on it.

http://www.federalunion.org.uk/albert-einstein/

Well that's sorta the point. The world isn't so black-and-white, but varying shades of grey. The extreme form of nationalism that was going on in Europe was a real threat to his life, so he left for place where nationalism still obviously existed, but not in such a violently bloody form. Evidently, he was comfortable enough with American culture despite the flagwaving and other displays of patriotism because he would go on to take the oath of citizenship and wrote many positive things about being an American.

You're absolutely right in that Einstein had a deep-rooted mistrust toward any sort of government or leader that demanded lock-step allegiance or loyalty - again, he was a Jewish intellectual living in Europe in the 1920s and early 30s and saw first-hand where the continent was going, but I simply don't think he would disprove of signing an anthem at a sporting match.

[RC8]

I think its all down to where you were brought up. All Canadians have gone through high school standing and singing their national anthems every day in class. Patriotism is intrinsic to most Canadian's. For myself, growing up in England, patriotism is almost shunned. We NEVER sung our national anthem at school, let alone at a club level sporting event! So, for people not growing up in Canada or the US, singing a national enthem before a TFC probably seems alien and pointless. But to Canadian's/American's, singing the national anthem is all part of the course.

I personally respectfully take my hat off for the national anthems at TFC games. I rarely take my scarf to summer games though.

I'm not Canadian and probably never will be. Yet I sing the Canadian national anthem proudly, for this country and its people are incredibly inclusive and well-spirited. You see, patriotism is merely being proud of what has been accomplished and built together over generations in a particular geographical location where you happen to have made your own contribution.

Don't let fascist idiots ruin that for you. I have 3 nationalities and live in a country that isn't any of the 3. I understand patriotism as a both a celebration and duty to care for your extended community. I think joining in to sing the anthem and raise a flag every once in a while is a healthy practice.

[Wolfe]

sinclair and tancredi are the wnt. Back line did a great job as well, still shaky though

if our mids could strengthen up, we'd be top 5 for sure.

troll!!! Hijacker!!!

[Huyton]

It's my favourite song.

There was a tale, possibly apocryphal, that when the Canada-Russia series hockey series occurred in 1972, that on at least one occasion the two teams got together and tried to get to know each other - brothers on ice, as it were. The Soviets sang Russian songs and had hoped for an exchange.

The only Canadian song the english speaking contingent of the team knew was O Canada.

I found that incredibly sad. I wondered how you could go through primary and middle schools, where music was supposed to be part of your education and not know a single song about Canada.

I wonder what percentage of the adult population of Canada could even sing O Canada?

[Blizzard]

I think its all down to where you were brought up. All Canadians have gone through high school standing and singing their national anthems every day in class. Patriotism is intrinsic to most Canadian's. For myself, growing up in England, patriotism is almost shunned. We NEVER sung our national anthem at school, let alone at a club level sporting event! So, for people not growing up in Canada or the US, singing a national enthem before a TFC probably seems alien and pointless. But to Canadian's/American's, singing the national anthem is all part of the course.

I personally respectfully take my hat off for the national anthems at TFC games. I rarely take my scarf to summer games though.

Heck, in one year at Hollywood PS in Willowdale, we sang O Canada and God Save The Queen. (Mrs. Jackson's grade 3 class I think it was.)

[Huyton]

Heck, in one year at Hollywood PS in Willowdale, we sang O Canada and God Save The Queen. (Mrs. Jackson's grade 3 class I think it was.)

Hopefully not the Sex Pistols version...

[jabbronies]

troll!!! Hijacker!!!

lol - that's what happens when you try and juggle multiple threads in a browser! Shit gets mixed up!

[Nomad]

Thank God i'm a separatist!

[Detroit_TFC]

Thank God i'm a separatist!

You only sing when you are alone?

[Huyton]

You only sing when you are alone?

Indeed...Nomad is an island.