I kid. I hate nationalism, too. In fact, I also despise Quebec nationalism, but why split open that conversation once again?
While we were walking to the grocery store earlier I noticed a massive military transport carrier circling over the city (I assume over the old port?), and after a few passes it began to drop paratroopers with red and white maple leaf flag chutes, some of them spraying the air with a pitiful stream of red smoke as they descended. Homeless patriots chimed in with "Vive le Quebec libre!" as the crowds on the corner of Berri and Ste.Catherines shook their heads in disgust. Across the street a half naked junkie drooped perilously from the plastic lawn chair he had collapsed upon.
The illusions of patriotism always find fertile ground among the desperate. The poorer the neighborhood, the more fucking flags (whichever side of the fantasy they rest upon) ... it fills me with sadness.
Fuck Canada, fuck Quebec (even though I love living here in Quebec, despite the intolerant fucks on both sides).
Forgive me if I'm stating the bleeding obvious, but... Love of country can take many forms, some good, some quite noxious. If one's love of country does not demand belief in the superiority of one's country over others, if it doesn't lead one into jingoism or chauvinism, I have no problem with it.
I adore Montreal. I love Quebec. I want my kids to be French-speaking Quebeckers, and I believe that the best way to guarantee that is Quebec independence. But that doesn't make me blind to the problems and faults of Quebec and Montreal. In fact, much of my separatism stems from my belief that it will be much easier to make Quebec into a better place if it is an independent nation.
Author
