Anthem controversy deepens divisiveness
Editor:
Canadian female vocalist Jully Black’s recent and unofficial rendition of our national anthem at an NBA game in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 19th 2023 was an affront to many Canadians. While our national anthem represents all Canadians of whatever race, creed or colour, it proudly unites us together strong and free.
Not too long ago, an official amendment was made to the anthem’s lyrics by an MP, changing the wording “In all thy sons command” to “In all of us command”. At the time of its original composition, Canada was a new nation where Canada’s military men, (sons) was the protectorate. It is interesting to note that the Canadian national anthem was written in 1880 and not made official until 1980. In those one hundred years, the wording hadn’t changed officially until about three years ago.
Black’s unofficial rendition not only upset many Canadians, it etched a divisiveness in an already fractured nation. By replacing the word “and” to “on” in “Our home and native land”, gives the word “native” a different connotation. The context of the word “native” in our national anthem is defined as a person born in a specified place or associated with a place of birth, whether subsequently a resident there or not. Our anthem represents all of us. What Black has disrespectfully done has made a noun out of the word “native” and totally changed the dynamics to “them” and us”.
This divisiveness reminds me to an incident in 1967 when Canada was celebrating a century of nationhood. Montreal was hosting the World’s Fair “Expo 67” with French President Charles de Gaulle attending. de Gaulle, who was staying at a hotel, spoke to a crowd below from his balcony. Shouting “Viva le Québec, viva le Québec libre”, he was encouraging Quebecers to seek separation from Canada. Prime Minister Lester B Pearson demanded a retraction from de Gaulle and an apology to Canadians, reminding him that Canadians don’t have to be liberated. De Gaulle refused and left Canada in a huff. Pearson was a true Prime Minister, a federalist, keeping Canadians together just like our national anthem, as we stand on guard for thee.