What does it mean to be Canadian? Is it as simple as having a barbecue and sharing with neighbors? There are many stereotypes about Canada, but I think it is important to decide which stereotypes are important. No stereotype captures the identity of an entire nation, but some might be better than others. For instance, having a barbecue might not make you Canadian, but being neighborly is definitely a good Canadian value.
Good Stereotypes
Ken Dryden explains the issue very well. Old stereotypes aren't necessarily true, but some of them might be a good ideal. Here are the typical Canadian stereotypes (find more here):
- nice
- polite
- respectful
- inoffensive
- ahistorical
- decent
But are these enough? No.
It's not realistic to define Canadians as just Canadians, the world is global and everyone's identities are tied up together. Of course, Canadians are still respectful and polite, but we should think of these as global qualities, rather than Canadian.
What does this mean for Canadians?
How do we actively pursue these values of respectfulness? For Canadians born in Canada all it requires is a community that fosters these values and encourages respectful dialogue. For immigrants, once they get their citizenship and are living in Canada (find help here), it will require frequent interaction with other Canadians. This frequent dialogue is necessary so that all Canadians feel included and valued.
In conclusion, Canadians should embrace some of their stereotypes because they represent some universally important values. Essentially, Canadians are famous for getting along with each other very well, and this is not at all a bad thing to embrace.
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