There’s a rising tide of anti-Americanism in Canada. It’s partly about anti-war sentiment, which runs deep in this country. It’s partly about the perception of George W. Bush as a cowboy. But it’s largely about America’s wealth and power. And in that sense, anti-Americanism is as pernicious as anti-Semitism, rooted in envy rather than grievance.
Anti-Semitism is defined by the Anti-Defamation League as “simply a hostility directed at Jews solely because they are Jews.” Similarly, anti-Americanism is aimed at Americans largely because they are Americans. It’s not because of anything they’ve done to us; it’s because of who they are and what they have: money and might.
I wonder what Canadians think about this article by L. Ian MacDonald in MacLeans Magazine?
It’s also because their government, unilateralist most of the time, marches as to war with or without the support of the UN. It’s because their trigger-happy pilots kill Canadian soldiers on the ground. It’s because we take in their planes on a day of infamy and their president forgets to thank us even as he thanks everyone else. It’s because they think the terrorist problem is at our border, when it demonstrably isn’t — not one of the terrorist hijackers entered the U.S. through Canada, and every alert since has proven to be a false alarm, unless crossing the border to gas up is now considered terrorism. It’s because Washington harasses Canadian softwood lumber. But these are issues between our two governments, not between our two peoples.
I wonder what Amerians think about our attitude?
In a fashionable Montreal restaurant the other night, one man’s loud table talk included frequent references to “les maudits Americains,” in the same contemptuous tone some Quebecers once spoke of “les maudits Juifs.” In Toronto, in Ottawa, and everywhere in our English media, we constantly refer to “the Americans,” the way the Americans might talk about their inlaws — a bother in their lives.
I know they don’t know us very well, but the larger question to me is, do we know ourselves?
Bring back the Canadian inferiority complex. It suited us much better than the sanctimonious sense that we are better than Americans, a better people living in a better land.
“Canada is a country without enemies,” one woman said loftily at a recent Montreal lunch, organized by the Institute for Research on Public Policy for a briefing on counterterrorism measures by a colonel from West Point. The anti-American sentiment in the room was as clear as the scepticism greeting Russ Howard’s message that new-age terrorists “don’t want a seat at the table, they want to destroy the table, and everyone sitting at it.”
Is this how we want to see ourselves? Is this how we want the world to see us?
And Canadians don’t get it because even as we live under the protection of the American shield, and live off the profits of our trade with them, we resent Americans. We see ourselves as the “kinder, gentler” place of which the first George Bush spoke. A nation of peacekeepers — but we don’t even do as much of that any more. The impoverished nation of Bangladesh leads the world in peacekeeping, while Canada’s contribution has slipped to 34th place. The Prime Minister keeps icing the puck on Iraq, hoping the UN will pass a second resolution authorizing force before the U.S. goes in on its own. And then what?
Maybe Canadians need to take a deep breath and re-think.
It’s in the air, all right. It’s unworthy of Canadians. And it’s time to speak up for our friendship with “the Americans,” who are, for their abundant failings, the only best friends we have.
I wonder how many of my Canadian readers will be offended by this article?
Link via Colby Cosh
Rebuking someone requires wisdom, patience and like IdeaJoy says, an artfulness that I know I don’t have. This model is outstanding.
Published 7 years ago 11 comments
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Perhaps the Canada/US “rivalry” (perhaps tat’s not the right word in the context of this article) is similar to the New Zealand/Australian one.
I wonder if this is partly about identity — Canadians wanting to be known for their uniqueness, not simply those north of the US. One way is to focus on the things that they do not want to be associated with America on, the other way is to turn it into a positive thing: what do we want to be known for around the world? What makes us unique? What can we offer? What can we enjoy together with our neighbours across the border?
Just my 2c
At the time of 9-11, I thought sentiments were good between the U.S. and Canada. Have Canadian views changed because of Bush Adm. foreign policy after 9-11, or was there something smouldering there already?
Many American’s sentiments toward our own government are changing as we watch the Bush Admin. butcher everything…
Every country, every “nation” (in the sense of a group of people with a common identity), can be looked down upon for some reason or another. Canadians look down on their southern neighbors, Americans look down on Canadians, the English look down on the French, and vice versa.
We “moderns” look down on the ancient Romans, viewing their circuses and slave holding to be barbaric. If they could, the ancient Romans would look down on us moderns because we’re soft, and have lost the concepts of honor and duty.
I think it’s just something endemic to a fallen human race. We can call it evil, because that’s what it is, but I’m not sure it’s something that we can effect a cure for.
I don’t think this level of Anti-Americanism existed during the Clinton era or the Reagan-Bush I era. It generally only comes to the forefront when their foreign or domestic policy hurts Canadians or their ideals and W’s administration has done that. I don’t think we have a problem with their wealth or power but like anyone, we don’t like being run roughshod over.
W is known to call Chretien “dino” for dinosaur and part of their issue seems to arise from some anti George H comments that Chretien made in opposition. When the governments don’t get a long well, it tends to breed some distain in the media and the people as well.
I agree that our elected representatives have to understand the moral responsibility of representation. And when any countries leaders make disparaging remarks publically it filters down.
I also agree that there have been times in the history of our two countries when policy has hurt citizens on both sides of the border ie: softwood lumber.
And Laura, if another 9/11 happened tomorrow, Canadians would open their borders, their resources and their homes to Americans.
But, I’ve heard a lot more grumbling lately from boths sides for all of the reasons you guys laid out.
As an individual Canadian I’m really tired of being labelled ‘anti’.
Our governments don’t get along, and as Jordon said this has happened in the past.
We Canadians don’t put much stock in Ottawa either.
Instant communication in media forms can be very callous.
I agree with Roy also. But I think we as individuals don’t have to squander good will.
I also don’t think it will make much difference which troubles me.
That’s my 2c. :^) Blog on!
Thanks BD, glad you liked it.
-Peace
Very much Dave. Blog on!
As a Canadian what I feel is this: The U.S. seems to take for granted Canada will always do what it wants. I have read words of utter, furious outrage from American pundits in recent months because Canada has not fallen into line with the wishes of the U.S. government re Iraq. As if we should always and forever be in a position of gratitude and obedience. But we are not a tributary state, we are a separate nation, and I don’t see any evil in Canadians sometimes finding we do not share the U.S. opinion on certain issues. But the pressure is always there.
I am an american, married to a canadian (together 15 years), living in Seattle. I have many opinions on this.
When I met my husband I thought canadians lived in igloos and drove dog sleds and I was EIGHTEEN and IN COLLEGE. Americans are the most ethno-centric people you can meet. It’s not always pride, it’s also ignorance. They (americans) want to learn all about the culture of others mainly to compare how weird the others are compared to americans.
My husband knew more about U.S. history (taught in canadian school) than I did.
Top this with american television and the violent extravagant shit that comes out of Hollywood, and there’s the american image for ya.
When I go to Canada, I don’t tell anyone I’m american unless the subject comes up. I’ve learned. When our canadian cousin came to visit us in Michigan many years ago, she was PETRIFIED to be in a McDonald’s, because she was afraid that someone would come in and shoot up the place.
I think George W is the personification of the image of America. He is the caricature of the embarassing traits of americanism, and frankly we’re all embarassed.
I will agree, in my opinion, that canadians seemed to “like” the US better when our president was getting his knob polished. I don’t blame canadians for feeling ani-american right now, when this U.S. leader has done SO many ethnocentric things, even during times of crisis.
I mean, do we think the world loves us just because…. uh, we’re the land of the free or something?
My own grandfather didn’t go to our wedding because it was in London, Ont. and he refused to go to Canada. WTF?
We are moving to Vancouver later this year. It’s time for us to go to Canada and settle down and start a family. I can’t wait.
I won’t ever lie about being an american in Canada, but I certainly won’t be advertising it, either.
That was totally stream-of-consciousness but *I* feel better now. Thanks.
I wonder if along with the woundedness that came with the WTC, Pentegon and Pennsylvania attacks, and the anxiety…am I seeing a bit of self-consciousness and openess that would not have been expressed even a few months ago?
As a student, I listen tirelessly every day to sanctimonious reasons as to why Canadians are the God of the universe and how Americans are the pond scum that deserve to be deprived of human rights. I listen tirelessly, as teachers and academics strive to preach the peacefulness of Canada and the stupidity of the “trigger-happy” Americans. If I am to argue with these notions, I am maimed “anti-Canadian” and verbally spat upon. Is it not ironic that Canadians are known for their acceptance of new ideas and opinions, yet if we are to offer enlightenment on a subject such as our attitude towards one of the greatest countries in the world, we are silenced? Thank you for expressing an idea hushed by the bias Canadian nationalists.