Lounging on the
balcony, I look across to the hillside about500 m away, and I see
someone flying a huge Canadian flag in his backyard.
What is this about:
Look at me, I am a proud Canadian. I am better than you, I am richer
and can afford to live on this choice property (maybe own it, even?).
Right in the middle of this city and country. I want you to know that
I am a Canadian. Why do you want anyone to know this? To keep people
away, to attract them, to welcome Canadian tourists to your place, or
keep them away – “this place is taken already”!
I feel like going
over there (should be 25 min hike) and ask the guy these questions,
just to find out why he is flying this damn flag in this host country
as a foreigner, to say or demonstrate what? Just like to hear what he
thinks and feels about this, no offense.
When I see
“foreigners” flying their flags in countries other than their
own, I am never happy and think it is inappropriate to do that, and I
am not quite so sure why I feel that way. In my dwelling in Vancouver
(Canada), I actually am flying a foreign flag: the Vincentian one, a
very beautiful design. I do this because it reminds me of the good
times I had in that country, as a sign of gratitude and because it
looks beautiful – and because my grandson has the Vincentian
nationality – it being his country of birth. I don’t know whether
he cares it is hanging up on the wall, but I think he well should.
And maybe at some time he will – but I think he and I should hang it
up in our private home and not stick it out of the window – and
what would that be good for?
What do you think? Please comment below!
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