We just went through this on Friday (July 1, our national holiday) in Canada. Some Indigenous activists over the last couple of years have been calling for Canada Day to be cancelled and/or turned into a day of protest against the colonial injustices of this country. Given increasing public awareness about how horrible Canadian society has been -- and still is -- to the people who were here first, this has made a strong impact. Last year many public Canada Day celebrations were cancelled and this year many were toned down, and/or included a lot of gestures of atonement, and there were anti-Canada Day protests once again.
Personally I think we need a day to feel good about the country we live in. The land, the place, the people, not necessarily the political and economic system or the history, which were never much to write home about. I don't think Canada Day was ever particularly about the reason for the date (an act of the British Parliament in 1867 giving the colonies in what's now Canada a degree of autonomy) or about celebrating settler colonialism or any of that. It was about feeling good about this land we live in and the people we live here with -- and a good excuse for parties, concerts, and fireworks.
So I am of two minds about this politicization of the day. And like you I fear that proudly waving the Canadian flag is likely to be monopolized by our own right-wing nationalists who shut their eyes to the injustices I care about. I would like to be able to get back to a state of wilful innocence where we can just celebrate this country and feel good together one day a year. We have 364 other days to work on reform or revolution.
So I feel the same way about July 4th south of our border. I am glad you are going to enjoy the fireworks anyway! I love fireworks and some of the best I have ever experienced were in New York on a Fourth of July.
