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Monday, July 01, 2024

Have some national birthday cake

Tattered and beautiful, all at once
May 2024
London, ON
This photo originally shared on Instagram


Canada celebrates its 157th birthday today, which means a day filled with fireworks, flags, BBQs, red and white merch, and countless proclamations of what an amazing country this is.

In so many ways, it is, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

But national days like this have always felt somewhat empty to me. We sing the national anthem at the top of our lungs, yet fail to appreciate the meaning of the words, who wrote them, and why. We revel in our awesomeness as we ignore the creeping flaws that darken life for so many.

Like any nation, Canada is far from perfect. Systemic inequality, deepening hatred, political leadership more interested in its own interests than the public’s, slipping moral compass. The notion of Canada as a globally renowned beacon of goodness feels somewhat tarnished amid the shattered glass and empty promises that now litter our communities.

But, still, we celebrate. Because so many others have it so much worse than we do.

And amid the unchecked jingoism and flag-waving, perhaps we’ll resolve to work on those failings after we tuck the flags away for another year.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #canadaday #ohcanada #madeincanada #iamcanadian #fĂȘteducanada #holiday #mapleleaf #Nikon #nikonphotography #nikon_photography #photography

Related:
Canada Day, Eh? July 2007
Canada Day, Eh? July 2004

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