I am a proud Canadian and so you might imagine my shock when I realized that the national anthem was being played and no one, I mean no one, other than my group of friends, was standing for "O Canada." We stood out like a human centerpiece in the room. My friend tried to encourage the others to stand and she was scoffed at. I was really ashamed at that moment. Not only did the lounge full of people remain seated, beer and wine by their sides, net books open, iPhones chirping, but these people continued their conversations throughout the remainder of the anthem.
I'm not trying to suggest that everyone must hold the same beliefs, but I feel that there should be respect for the beliefs of others. So, in this public Canadian setting, during this global event in which the nations of the world come together in the spirit of competition, where Canada is the host country, where many people in this very room are sporting Canadian attire and are therefore likely themselves Canadian or are demonstrating support for Canada, just when did this behaviour become acceptable?
Disappointment aside, I chose to be positive and join in the excitement of the moment. Even if that meant I was connecting with people across the country and the world through a TV monitor. The experience was still my own to have and my own to make.
I became glued to the screen in front of me, wishing at times the volume was louder. I like to hear the commentary as the ceremony unfolds. For me, it's always about the stories. There were many glorious and powerful moments during the ceremony.
The one that spoke directly to me though, was hearing Shane Koyczan recite his slam poem,
We are More. What a powerful orator! What a beautiful message! His words stole my heart because his lyric voiced the essence of the shared Canadian experience. I am so proud that Canada chose a poet to tell his story, and mine, and maybe even yours, reader, to the world. What a privilege it was to be part of that moment.
We are More
"Define Canada
You might say the home of the Rocket
Or The Great One
Who inspired little no. 9's or 99's
But we're more than just hockey or fishing lines
Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes
And some say what defines us
is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you'
And as for 'you're welcome,' well, we say that, too
But we are more than genteel or civilized
We are an idea in the process of being realized
We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry
And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history
We are an experiment going right for a change
With influences that range from A to Zed
And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee'
We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of little Italy
We dream so big that there are those
Who would call our ambition an industry
We reforest what we clear
Because we believe in generations beyond our own
Knowing now that so many of us
Have grown past what we used to be
We can stand here today
Filled with all the hope people have
When they say things like 'someday'
Because we are more
Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see
More than hills to ski
Or countryside ponds to skate
We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait
We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes
A country that is all the ways you choose to live
A nation that can give you variety
Because we are choices
We are millions upon millions of voices
Shouting, keep exploring
We are more
We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true
Canada is the 'what' in 'what's new'
So don't let your luggage define your travels
Each life unravels differently
And experiences are what make up
The colours of our tapestry
We are the true North
Strong and free
And what's more
Is that we just didn't say it
We made it be"
(lyrics as posted by The Winnipeg Free Press)
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