I am Canadian! No, no wait. What’s a Canadian? Someone from Canada. Obviously. But what is a Canadian? I don’t know. Someone who likes cold weather, lives in igloos, has funny coloured money, puts U’s in words like colour and continues to technically be ruled by the Queen of England. How about—I am not an American, so I must be Canadian. What about Mexican? Okay, okay. I am not American, nor Mexican. Lots of Canadians are immigrants—what about European, African, South American, or Asian? I am not those either. I’m so confused now. Who am I?
Earlier this week, I was complaining to Lee that all my ideas are in reaction to other peoples ideas. That is to say, that I am always comparing my ideas to others. I don’t feel that I have the same “authority” as say Darren or Chris. Maybe I feel that way because I don’t have the confidence or (maybe) pride that they do. That can’t be right, I am plenty proud. And I believe in my ideas. It does have something to do with having a conversation rather than lecturing with authority. However, I do wonder if being Canadian has something to do with it?
Before I begin—Canadians, I am making gross generalities. Don’t pummel me. I would say that the majority of Canadians define themselves in relation/reaction to other countries. I am not an American; therefore, I am a Canadian. We don’t start by saying I am Canadian (no matter what beer commercials you watch). We start by saying I am not this, that or the other thing. We define ourselves against or in reaction to other nations. At least, I think that is true for European immigrant Canadians. First Nations people would have a completely different take on this. Which is also another problem/benefit of being Canadian. We are multicultural. We are not a melting pot, but an array of people who all have their own ideas and definitions on who they are and then we all react against each other.
Canada is a relatively young country and a lot of writers, scholars and everyday people spend a lot of time trying to decide who they are as a Canadian. I am one of those people. I often wonder if one of the reasons I don’t buy into a lot of the ideas that supposedly will make me a successful blogger is because I am Canadian. I am socialized to be reactionary.
Honestly, I started this post thinking that somehow my worldview was holding me back because all my ideas are in reaction. But isn’t that how all ideas start? We thought horses were dumb so we made cars. Or we have postmodernity because modernity is so bloody limiting. We progress by reacting. I was thinking that I never have unique ideas because I am just ranting against the current trends. So, because I am socialized to react, I am basically way ahead of you non-Canadians. (There’s that pride I was referring to.) But I started this post because every time I come to write here I am usually ready to rant about something I just read and I usually have to calm myself down before I start.
I think the key for me is to be able to recognize a good and defining idea when I see one and not react against everything. However, I still need to think for myself and come to conclusions about how to be a successful blogger on my own and with the help of the community around me.
How does your Nationality affect who you are as a blogger?
Photo by Dan McKay
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19 Comments
Oooh, nice topic to blog about. I wish I thought of it.
I’m also a Canadian. What bothers me is the culture in Canada. “Multi-culturism” is such a hogwash because it just encourages communities that only cares about that culture. For me, being in a “melting pot” is more appropriate because it’s generally the right thing to do. You wouldn’t go to China and not try to adjust to be Chinese. You wouldn’t go to Africa and not try to live like Africans. You’re in Canada, then learn to be a Canadian - speak ENGLISH, be polite, be open-minded, know the National Anthem, get into the politics, learn the history, etc. I’ve known way too many immigrants that are just too caught up with their own culture because Canada supposedly encourages you to be who you are. They learn nothing there. And people wonder why many Canadians move to America?
Sorry if this rant has nothing to do about blogging, other than the fact it’s left in a kick-ass blog.
Haha Rudy, I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to come here and rant. There are definitely a lot of problems with multiculturalism. My wife is doing her Masters in Sociology and specifically on Immigration in Canada… so believe me when I say I know all about it. Or rather hear all about it.
However, even though I generally have no idea who I am as a Canadian, I am glad to be one.
You’re glad to be a Canadian because their reputation of being neutral, open minded, and generally left-alone during a conflict. In that sense, I’m proud to be a Canadian too!
I can drink to that.
This is an interesting topic. I don’t feel like my nationality has a whole lot to do with who I am as a blogger or as a writer. Sometimes, when I write about cultural topics, I guess it’s relevant, but not in a conscious or intended way. I’m American, but I really consider myself a citizen of the planet first and foremost.
Having said that, I am fascinated by culture in general. I prefer to be surrounded by people from a variety of cultures. One thing I love about the U.S. is that it is a melting pot and very rich with culture and sub-culture.
My nationality definitely effects what types of finance stuff I talk about. I focus on US retirement plans, US laws, that kind of thing. Canadian rules, UK rules, etc don’t matter to my everyday life.
Melissa: If I were to disagree with you, I would say that the fact you don’t think about your nationality is directly tied to your nationality. I think it could be said that Americans have a certain sense confidence in themselves as American. Also note that I am not placing value on that, but it does seem to me to be a general truth—in my understanding. However, I won’t disagree with you because I don’t know you well enough.
I was thinking about how you are writing about Poetry this month on your blog in response to it being National Poetry Month. I was thinking—I wonder if it’s National Poetry Month in Canada? As it turns out, it is, but I’m sure it’s not in other countries. So I think it’s fair to say that, at least a minimal level, you are affected by your nationality.
Mrs. Micah: I suppose that would make it fairly difficult to discuss other nations. I bet that it might be fair to say that Americans approach financing things differently than Canadians or Brits (or vice versa). However, that might not be true. I don’t know anything about numbers. But, you can be sure that you can be any nationality to join us here at Epiblogger. Thanks for the comment!
@Rhett, I don’t know. Do most people who have a National Day of Anything in their country go around specifying that it’s in their country only? I don’t think the French would say “July 14 is Bastille Day — in France.” It’s just Bastille Day.
I understand that communicating on the Internet means we are now an inter-cultural society, so maybe we’ll move in a direction where such statements come with a disclaimer of nationality.
Like I said, the reason I don’t put much stock in my nationality as a writer or blogger is because I’m first a citizen of the planet. I do have love for my country but I’m not the blindly loyal or unconditionally patriotic type. There’s a lot to lot to love and lot not to. I love the diversity. What I don’t love is how we present ourselves to the world. I think other nations see us something that is only a reflection of a very small percentage of Americans — all that glamor, gusto, and domination. Most of us are just regular, working people with good hearts.
Absolutely. My wife is American (or at least half) and at least some of her goodness comes from the American side, I’m sure.
I didn’t mean that we needed to disclaim our nationality, but that nationality peeks it’s head in—even if it is unconsciously.
Ah right, well of course it peeks in unconsciously. Just like gender, faith, etc. We can agree on that! I just don’t feel it defines me as a writer/blogger. Which one am I anyway? A writer or a blogger? Both I guess. Hmm.
It’s a good question. I was thinking that blogging, in and of itself, must be an art form. But, I am not sure there would be a strong consensus to make that argument since a lot of blogging is not centred around the idea of being art.
I don’t see blogging as an art form at all. Some blogs are art, most are a combination of craft and skill. I think blogging is very similar to journalism, biography, and other types of non-fiction writing, which to me, aren’t usually artistic. Now a poetry blog, that would qualify as art.
I have dual citizenship -
CanadianHabs fan by birth and also Israeli, plus I’ve lived in the US and France. With that background, here’s how nationality effects my main blog JobMob.1. Topic - the blog’s content is roughly 50-50 between Israel-job-market advice and job search tips that are good for anyone.
2. Voice- just like anytime I speak English, no one assumes I’m Canadian. It’s always, “are you American?”. My About corner does mention the truth though.
3. Traffic- blogging in English will determine the vast majority of where traffic comes from, and how you advertise to that traffic.
4. Comments - I use the Firestats plugin which also happens to show country flags of commentators. It’s a nice way to bring a global community together.
5. Expressions - I wouldn’t say that I dumb down my content, but I do try to keep the language simple so that non-native speakers will also understand.
There are probably other things but that’s what rolls off the tongue.
Thanks Jacob. I am sorry to hear about your “team”—if that’s what you call it. Clearly, the Oilers are a superior choice.
In reply to your second point—that’s exactly what I am talking about. No one remembers poor old Canadians. Always America this and America that!
The multicultural aspect of ourselves is really interesting too. Such as considering people who’s language is not English as a first language. But also that there are a lot of people that speak many languages.
Rhett, all I’ll say is that I rooted for the Oilers 2 years ago like the rest of the country. But my cousin in TO is a Calgary fan, so it was sweet that they finished you guys off
One thing that I still find funny. In France and the UK, people distinguish between the LANGUAGE English and the LANGUAGE *American*. As in ‘no, he speaks American’.
I kid you not.
You know what, I have run into that as well. In Canada, I know several people who have and do teach English as a Second Language or ESL, right? I had an American friend who told me once she was going to take ASL. And I said, what’s ASL? She said, American as a Second Language. I couldn’t believe it.
lol
The best part is that she’s already is American
As a Canadian raised in England, the main impact it has had on me is I am neither one nor the other, so always that little bit of an outsider, and often a surprise. I sound English, but not the English accent most people recognise (most people only know Queens English, Beatles, Cockney or Oasis) which when I speak at events is a shock to those who know me as Canadian. In my writing being a slight outsider allows me to look at things a little differently, and that difference can spark lots of ideas for topics.
Yeh, I sometimes wonder if all Canadians feel that way, Chris. I mean, your situation is a bit unique. But my heritage is neither English or French or First Nations. I am the second-gen son of Ukrainian immigrants. So, when considering my place in Canada… I am not part of a rooted Canadian. I suppose, perhaps, even the English and French might feel that way. So maybe we are all outsiders.
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