Little independent thought

It is Canada Day today. For some reason sweeping the floor in the shelter kitchen seems to generate thoughts. Not always particularly bright ones, especially if I am sweeping after 2am. However, this thought amused me enough to publish it.

All over the world countries celebrate their independence from colonial powers. In four days, for example, The United States of America will proudly remember the day a bunch of men sat down and signed a document which basically said, "We have a right to our freedom." In fact we are so free that we now have the power to help other people groups free themselves of other colonial powers which may take the form of rain forests, oil, intelligence, or who knows--but if we blast enough holes in their land I'm sure we'll find something we can free them from... ok, I'll stop. Canadians, however, seem to do their polite thing and celebrate both their independence and the colonial power. This Canada Day the Queen is here and her presence seems to enhance the Canadian identity rather than diminish it. As I swept the kitchen I was slightly amused at the absurdity of this. But then I was slightly horrified to realize I am looking at this like an American. No one across the border could grasp the complexity of the situation: Canadians are happy to be both their own country, and yet under the authority of the Queen. Is this real nationhood?

But then I began to see that of the three nations I think Canada might come out as the one on top. The British Isles don't even celebrate an independence day--well that's not quite right. They join other nations in celebrating independence, often from themselves(!) Each party shakes the other's hand while saying "good riddance." The Brits don't have independence day preferring rather to celebrate other's independence from them. And the Americans haven't realized yet that nations would like to be able to celebrate their independence from them... ironic.

Therefore Canada has the only real independence day--that is, they celebrate interdependence day. And, lets face it, for social creatures, that is the only way to exist. But lets hope it doesn't get to their heads...