For Americans Wearing Canadian Flags
At a bar the other night I met yet another three Americans who laughingly admitted to wearing a Canadian flag when travelling. Here’s what I wish I’d said to them.
What part of you can possibly think that’s okay?!
“People treat us better,” is inevitably your reason. Sometimes hiding behind a “We don’t like our president” proclamation or, these days, a hazy “Standing in solidarity” cover.
Whatever your reason, let me say clearly, “Don’t.” It’s not okay. It’s not funny.
You are appropriating my country’s reputation, our history, our sacrifices and character and culture. You’re stealing something that isn’t yours.
Yes, stealing. Maybe you don’t endorse Trump’s very real efforts to try to annex our nation, but you’re being Imperialistic too. You’re stealing a goodwill you haven’t earned, just because it’s convenient. It’s a nationalist version of white privilege - you’re all about equality and freedom unless it impinges on the ease of your lifestyle.
I don’t blame you if you feel ashamed of your government’s current behavior. Or historical behavior - this general global ill will has hovered over “Ugly Americans” ever since I first met American backpackers wearing maple leaf flags back in 1988 (and, presumably, decades before that too).
But rather than escape, you should stand up and own your national identity, the good and the bad. Instead of stealing a foreign flag, maybe sew on a stars and stripes with some compassionate message showing what you really believe. Wear an “American who supports Canada” sticker. Start some real conversations instead of the very awkward one we’re going to have if I see you again.
Nice Doesn't Suffice
When I’m abroad, I take my role as an ambassador of my country seriously. The impression I make on people is the impression they will retain of Canada. And as nice as you may be, you have no right to be (mis)representing Canada. As nice as you may be, you leave a different impression and it’s not a Canadian impression.
Just because you don’t like your government and do like our medical care and gun control, that doesn’t make you Canadian. You can put on my flag but you are still different. Your energy is different. The way you fill a room and dominate a conversation and think different driving patterns are Wrong and assume you're welcome at every table is different. I can feel right away if someone is American or Canadian. My baklava connection in Istanbul and camel-tour jockey in Morocco could tell too.
And as nice as you may be, you don’t share our cultural identity. Do you even know who Terry Fox is? How many golden goals did you cheer for (Paul Henderson, Sydney Crosby, Connor McDavid…), and how deeply do you groan in dismay every time the US wins an Olympic medal. Remember Rocket Richard’s grecian formula ad? Who invented the snowmobile (that’s an actual question on the Canadian citizenship test) and did your grandma ever knit you a toque? The fact that you think similar political views and “niceness” are enough for you to claim Canadian status just highlights how American you truly are.
Elbows Up
Now’s the time when I should be a good Canadian and apologize. If you’re an American and still reading, you’re probably offended. I should apologize and reassure you that you’re one of the good ones, I’m not talking about you.
But if you wear a Canadian flag for your own convenience, I am. Even if you’re one of my many dear American friends whom I love and respect. Even if you’re digging in and doing all the great advocacy and resistance work that I’m escaping by being overseas - even you, if you start presuming you've earned Canadian status, this is for you.
I should be nice, but your country is taking Putinesque steps to annex my country. We are under attack, and we can’t politely smile as you take anything more from us. That includes our culture, our shared identity, and yes our global goodwill and privilege. For 27 years I’ve been annoyed by Amercans who steal all that by pinning on a Canadian flag. These days, annoyed isn’t enough - I’m pissed and my elbows are up. Take off (and take it off), eh?!
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Really…..this is the stuff that has me appreciate you all the more Rick!
Not easy conversations. Often has had some of us on the other end of the ‘Cancel Culture’ response to create more harm — and this is not what should be the response to this post of yours at all. I would say this is a great example of ‘Calling In’ culture….not ‘Calling Out’.
Grateful for your efforts here…..
I could have been gentler, but sometimes a good wake-up call is in order.
Rick, I very much appreciate this post. The funny part is i didn’t even know this was a thing, didn’t even know Americans did this. I also really liked the fact that you sound like a proud Canadian. I somehow never developed that feeling about my country, probably my families fault. Thanks for this productive venting!
Ya, it’s a more common thing than you might think.
And there’s nothing like being threatened with annexation by a bully to make one appreciate one’s country!
Hear Hear! I’m constantly fascinated by the cultural differences, and see them more and more as I live in Seattle and have conversations with Americans. There are fundamental differences in base assumptions, fascinating to see all the ways. Whenever I travel snd participate in a tour, I always notice that all the other tourists say they’re from Canada or South Africa or New Zealand, and Americans will generally say their State of even city. There’s something that strikes me as so arrogant about that, the assumption that we would all know where that is. Not really a big deal, but the many examples of micro-arrogances start to add up!!!!!
Great example, and so true! Coupled with the fact that most Americans are much more ignorant about geography of other countries than most other nationalities. I’ve given talks in American schools where the students were shocked – or outright disbelieving or even angry – when I told them that Canada is bigger than the US – they grew up seeing Canada as that tiny pink sliver at the top of their US map.
I’m embarrassed to say I’m American. My current government doesn’t represent my views. I keep praying the executive and legislative branches will block the bully. I’m also from the North, so culturally I’m an entitled blunderer, but I do apologize a lot. 😂 Sorry. But I would never pretend to be something I’m not. I’m too busy pretending everyone loves me…
“Entitled blunderer”, I love that! Yes, one of the joys of citizenship is living under a government you didn’t vote for. I’ve certainly got several “Steven Harper is a Fascist” blog posts somewhere out there in the cloud, and had to tread that line of being unapologetically Canadian while also apologizing for the actions of my country’s elected leader. To say nothing of that guy who just resigned, and the guy who might be next in line… As Pete Seeger sang, “Our leaders are the finest men, and we elect them again and again…”
I must admit that once, in 1986, I claimed to be Canadian for my personal safety during a high school trip to Spain. A few weeks before our trip the U.S. military bombed Libya, and we had to beg our school board to let the Spain trip go ahead. The U.S. also had enemies at that time related to the Iran-Contra affair in Nicaragua. At a bus station in Spain, some men approached our group of teenage girls and held their lit cigarette lighters dangerously close to my friends’ blonde hair while shouting something in Spanish about Ronald Reagan and America. I remember some of us blurted out “Canada”, and our teacher rushed over from across the room to translate and diffuse the situation. As Michiganders who traveled to Canada and interacted with Canadians perhaps more than many Americans (and even said “eh”), it must have just seemed natural. I’m sorry to say we never would have considered that we were appropriating your country’s fine reputation!
Yikes! Lying for survival is so different than for convenience – I’ve also been in situations at gunpoint where I’ve said whatever I’ve needed to say to get home safely (hope my mom doesn’t read these comments…)
Well written Rick and spot-on! Happy Travels 🙂