Part 1
Canadian’s have a stereotype known all around the world. To be Canadian is to be kind, friendly and polite. Canada is known as a cold, snowy, wooded and vast place. As a Canadian most of us know that there is some truth to these stereotypes and many of us have countless experiences that prove it. It is shown in my own self story as well as many of my peers/classmates stories. With so many similar experiences told, it’s easy to see how prominent this normative narrative is in our country.
In Lyndzee’s story, we get a look into the “Canadian” personality even despite our brutally cold climate. It’s a common thing to see the comparison of the warm and friendly personality of Canadian’s being contrasted by our harsh weather. It is very easy to relate to this story since these acts of kindness do make the draining winter weather easier to tolerate. “As I start to brush and scrape a group of kids walking to school pass by and wave to me good morning which brought a slight smile to my face as I continue to clean off the buried car.” Almost all Canadian’s know the dreaded feeling of standing out in the freezing cold trying to clear off all the snow. The small acts of friendliness like the bundled up children giving a wave can brighten up ones day tremendously, especially during our long winters. This story brings out the normative narrative of Canada that people are always kind and friendly here, which this idealistic stereotype can be disrupted as seen in part two.
In Jordelle’s story, the full affect of Canadian’s kind and selfless stereotype is shown. Once again facing the cold weather, a group of students are allowed to go brave the cold and help those stuck in the snow. The selflessness stereotype is shown in news stories all across Canada. It portrays Canadian’s as being kind and almost like heroes. “We provided help to anyone who needed it in the vicinity. Generally, Canadians are often perceived as helpful, polite, and considerate people and this experience helped uphold just that.” This quote shows the full affect of the normative narrative. The kindness is shown in my story as well with all the towns people gathering to support their students and Terry Fox. As a Canadian I have witnessed these acts of kindness plenty of time, but it can not be expected to be the always norm in Canada. These stereotypes are considered to be the way of life here, which overshadows how often this stereotype isn’t true for many Canadians. Many Canadian’s uphold this stereotype because they like being idolized and thought of as the good guy. It’s easier to accept this stereotype then to look at Canada’s harsh realities.
Part 2
Canada’s normative narrative is not hard to disrupt when you actually look at it. There are countless times in history and present day where our “kindness” is thrown out the window. However, actually bringing these issues to light instead of our stereotypes can be a big struggle. Canadian’s love to live by this stereotype and usually those that are stuck on it tend to be white, male or straight Canadian’s. This is due to them not experiencing the complete opposite of Canada’s kindness because of their identity. The “mainstream” stereotype type is idealized and silences other points of views about Canadian experiences.
In Jerico’s story, a different aspect of Canada is shown then in the other self stories. Canada’s stereotype is disrupted. Jerico’s experience of discrimination and bullying is one felt by so many Canadian’s. “They must have never known the pain I felt when I heard words such as “fag” or “dyke”, let alone that these words were offensive.” This shows how discrimination is just as prominent in our society as these acts of kindness. Due to these “bad” Canadian stories not being shown in media about Canada, the normative narrative is upheld. It is important for all of us with different self stories about Canada to realize that many people aren’t experiencing the side of Canada that we are. Canadian’s need to highlight these experiences just as strongly to create awareness and work towards ridding Canada of its hidden discrimination.
In the Clearing the Plains magazine write up by James Daschuk, a look into the horrible genocide of the First Nation’s people is looked at. This is a giant part of Canadian history but is once again hidden in order to not disrupt Canada’s normative narrative. People should know about this side of Canada just as much as the kind side. Canadians’ should be as passionate about educating on this part of Canada in order for a better future just as much as they are about embracing the Canadian stereotypes. Being a white Canadian my self story did reinforce the normative narrative. However even with my experiences it’s still very important to help disrupt the normative Canadian narrative as much as possible. Both these stories of Canada have truth to them and we can not just show the good side or else that is not being true to what Canada truly is.
Links:
References
Daschuk, James. (2014). “Clearing the Plains”. Degrees: The University of Regina Magazine. Vol. 26, no. 2. p. 39-40
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