A society and its people who confront and face their history is a sign of intellectual and social maturity. Those who seek to deny it on the most frivolous and partisan of justifications are the voices of incoherence; of hollow and shallow insecurity.
From the Toronto Star:
Political commentators called the plan an insult, sovereignists expressed outrage, and even federalist Premier Jean Charest criticized it and promised to stay away.
Now Ottawa says it might back down from the 250th anniversary re-enactment of the Quebec City battle that helped lead to British dominance in North America."
These are the holders of our collective heritage? These are the people where power resides? This is how sick and weak-kneed and completely lost in our drivel we have become?That the Plains of Abraham would become so politicized is sad on its own. But to proclaim publicly concern over a reenactment is a national disgrace showcasing Canada's stupidity internationally.
If these people would remove themselves, even for one second, from their self-serving swamp-talk, they would see the Plains of Abraham as not just a moment that took place on Canadian soil. Its ramifications, while immediate and long-lasting here, traveled across the globe leaving an impact on international affairs.
In short, the Plains of Abraham was one of the most important battle in world history. Yet, we have small-minded civil servants and "political commentators" seeking to deny a reenactment of it?
National parochial group think has draped itself across this land helping to foster a denial and complete disregard of who we are.
I have no respect for such minds. I would not shake the hands of any of these men who clearly show low leadership qualities. To think my tax money goes to such pathetic political masters!
Here are the main culprits:
Heritage Minister James Moore
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Quebec Premier Jean Charest
The Nameless Head of the National Battlefields Commission
Or put another way: Gutless cowards.
Who stands for Canada anymore? Anyone?
A society that permits petty voices the power to cause a pointless ruckus is not only an immature society but a lost one as well.
Re-enactments seem to be an Anglo-Saxon thing. Outside that ethnic environment nowhere do we see that re-enactment craze.
ReplyDeleteOther civilizations raise monuments to commemorate events or important persons. Such are cenotaphs, Nelson towers, Vauquelin memorials etc.
The Shi'ites have numerous pilgrimages in honor of famous Imams, but they not re-enact their martyrdoms, except, maybe , on flagellation day, and Catholics used to, I distinctly said "used to" do the same thing on Good Friday.
It does not mean forsaking the past, just remembering otherwise.
Yes, the battle of the Plains were one of the last acts of the so called Seven year war. Yes it gave rise to a new division of lands between England and France. All these events are remembered in different ways all over the world. Re-enactments are not just the way it is done ouside Anglo environmemts. Québec city is not an Anglo environmemnt.
In Montreal, for years now, the McDonald-Stewart foundation has been financing military demostrations featuring the Fraser Highlanders and the Compagnie Franche de la Marine at the museum on Île Ste-Hélène. It does not commemorate any special events, it just shows how it was back then. Nobody has ever complained and it is fun to watch.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteQuebec City is not anglo city but from what I read, it embraces such events. If anything, people from around the world would partake and that's good for the local economy. QC is a tourism heaven.
As for it being an Anglo-Saxon thing perhaps but as you point out, different cultures preserve their heritages in many ways. Italy has all sorts of things like this but on a far more localised and regional level.
In the end, it really doesn't matter. What matters is people want to do this and all the power to them. We live in a free society.
Heck, if this thing goes through I may go and see it.