There are much bigger issues in N.L. than Memorial’s music choices

Newfoundland. You aren’t going to like this, but we need to have a chat. Big time.

I was born and raised here. There are times when I’ve loved you and been extremely proud to say that I am from Newfoundland and Labrador. I love telling peers about you and believe that we have so much to offer the world.

However, we are the least healthy province. Our rates of many major diseases are the highest in the country – heart disease, diabetes, obesity, alcoholism and more.

The unemployment rate has been steadily climbing and now currently sits at around double the national average, and we have one of the lowest average incomes in the country.

You have the oldest population in the country.

Recently, we gave away half a billion dollars to an oil company. No strings attached, just a vague promise of jobs.

However, the most pressing issue in the province right now seems to be …? What songs Memorial University will play at its convocation ceremony.

Seems crazy, I know. Why are we arguing about this? What difference does it make to the average person what songs are played at the ceremony? And most importantly, why do people care?

A common reason, I’ve heard, is that people’s culture, heritage and values are under attack due to MUNL’S decision to drop the song, but when pressed about what culture, heritage and values they’re talking about exactly, they’re unable to answer.

Are they, perhaps, what I listed earlier? Maybe it’s the litter and garbage that lines our roadways? The inability to recruit and retain healthcare professionals? Poverty and generations of hardworking Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that were constantly beat down and living in debt to a ruling merchant society?

I will make it clear that I do not believe that these issues can be solved entirely by the average person. It’s up to our elected officials to use their time and effort to make decisions that will benefit us. Right?

Apparently not. The most pressing issue for the members of the house right now also seems to be what songs MUNL is playing at its convocation ceremony. When questioned, members claim that they can, and will, address multiple issues at once. Fair enough, but we are still waiting on definitive action on many of the issues mentioned above.

Members considered fasttracking legislation that would legislate the “Ode to Newfoundland” into MUNL’S convocation ceremony. How about fast tracking some legislation that will directly impact people’s quality of life? We have a serious health-care crisis and neither government, nor any opposition members, could meet with this year’s MUNL graduating medicine class. That’s right, the members of the house are more concerned with singing the “Ode to Newfoundland” than they are with recruiting our own doctors.

And therein lies the problem. This province currently has too many issues to address, for MUNL’S choice of music at its convocation to be anywhere close to a priority for government, or the average person.

I have a history degree from MUNL, so yes, I am fully aware of the meaning of “Memorial” in MUNL. The “Ode” has nothing to do with that, and neither does the convocation ceremony. The “Ode” was composed almost 15 years before the events of July 1, 1916, a time where a world war was unthinkable.

Despite how it may be interpreted now, absolutely nothing in the song refers to the soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment. One of the most difficult aspects of examining and studying history is realizing that while we can learn from, celebrate and in some cases honour the past, the past is the past and progress waits for no one. We are hanging onto a disillusioned, romanticized piece of our past – and it should stay there.

I can go on about this. So often, we have an idealized view of this province that blinds us from real issues. It’s time to rip off the bandage of the past and start looking forward. We need to. Now. It’s an integral step to address and hopefully solve our many issues.

Regardless of what your opinion may be on the status of your culture, heritage and values, there is one thing that is fact and isn’t up for debate or discussion – this day and ceremony doesn’t belong to you, or the “Ode to Newfoundland.” It belongs to the graduates who have worked tirelessly to achieve what will be celebrated at this ceremony. Congratulations, graduates!