Puffery
Puffery (puf’e rE), n., undue or exaggerated praise, as in publicity.
I just finished reading a shocking article from a Texas reporter on his take of the recent Olympics. He compared Canadian patriotism to that of the Nazis during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. I don’t often use this blog as an outlet for political comment, but this just makes me sad and angry.
A lot of my art has an undertone of political or social commentary. It’s not blatant, but sometimes can be recognized through the titles. Some people can readily recognize the comments I’m making through my art, but a lot don’t, which is okay. Most of the meanings behind my work relate to society and the wrongs in this world. The intolerance, the prejudices, the cruelty, the greed….. It’s also about questioning why the beauty that exists isn’t seen by so many people because of those negative emotions. I question why with so much wonderment in the world, ugliness exists at all.
This article, published in a major US newspaper, (which I won’t link to directly because I don’t believe they should get any publicity – good or bad) is a prime example of just the kind of intolerance and ugliness that I find so hard to understand. I question what motivates a person to think like this. Sadly I think it’s a form of bullying – bullying to make people to conform to a certain way of thinking, or to make them silent and afraid to speak out.
Look what happened to Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks when she spoke out at the US President. For a country that flaunts their patriotism by fighting for freedom, a true lack of freedom was shown in that ugly incident. American’s bullied this recording artist into silence, destroying her career along the way by pressuring radio to stop playing her music. It was a case of censorship at it’s ugliest.
This arrogant writer wrote: “After a spirited torch relay ignited pride in every corner of the country, the Olympic Games began and quickly galvanized the nation. Flags were everywhere. The country’s national symbol hung from windows and was worn on nearly everyone’s clothing. Fervent crowds cheered every victory by the host nation. But enough about the 1936 Berlin Olympics.”
“Team Canada hockey jerseys became the uniform of the streets. Maple leafs were either hanging or on clothing everywhere. One thing I never saw: a simple flag or shirt with the five Olympic rings. Not anywhere. After 15 Olympics, that was a first. I didn’t attend the ‘36 Olympics, but I’ve seen the pictures. Swastikas everywhere.”
This is the first time in my memory that such an outward display of patriotism has ever been shown by Canadians. It moved me to tears on numerous occassions. These Olympics united a strong country. That this patriotism exists is nothing new, that all of Canada stood up at once and said it, is. And for finally allowing ourselves to stand tall and say “yes, Canada is a great country” we get blasted by some American reporter and compared to Nazis. Why? We fear most what we do not know.
I love Vancouver, and if I’m ever lucky enough to make it happen, will someday live in or near this beautiful city. I also love Canada. One of the things I love best about Vancouver and our country is the multiculturalism and tolerance. The people are inclusive, happy, tolerant, and accepting, with a laid back friendliness that’s hard to find anywhere else.
I’ve been to Vancouver. I know how people are treated. I am Canadian, I know how I treat tourists. I am proud to show off my country, but I am also gracious, sensitive, and accommodating. I know the rest of Canada is as well. So what really went wrong with this tourist’s visit to the Olympics? Did he not realize that Canada is it’s own country and not just another US state? Was it the multinational unity that sparked some kind of fear from a citizen living in a state where prejudice is still prevalent? Where the KKK still has active members?
One of the observations I made, and commented about during the Olympics, is our Governor General, Michaelle Jean. I have never heard anyone refer to her as Canada’s first black Governor General, or Canada’s first Caribbean Governor General, or anything else. She is just Canada’s Governor General – the color of her skin is of no concern, unlike the US and their President. A Canadian does not measure a person by their race or color, we measure them by their actions and who they are as a person. So to compare our country to one which was based on intolerance and the destruction of other races is simply incredulous.
I think one respondent to this newspaper article said it best:
The Nazis wore paramilitary uniforms. We wore hockey jerseys. The Nazis had guns. We had mittens with maple leafs on them. The Nazis wanted to own the world. We wanted to own the podium. The Nazis had swastikas. We had giant inflatable beavers.
Alright. Sorry for my little departure from our regular programming. Oh wait…..maybe I shouldn’t say Sorry, because it’s a very Canadian thing to do, and I wouldn’t want to insult anyone and be mistaken for a Nazi. Let me take that back, please.
on March 10, 2010 at 2:57 pm
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I have lived in Texas for most of my life and I cannot belive that most Texans or Americans for that matter, would agree with that newspaper reporter. I really enjoyed learning about Canada and the Canadians from all of the Olympic coverage. I can’t imagine any country NOT responding with alll the joy and patriotism just as Canada did…What can I say, since we are a free country anyone can speak their mind, no matter how stupid what they have to say is. I did not read the article you are referring to, but the quotations here certainly do not reflect what I believe our state or country feels about Canada or their display of patriotism. Besides, how was it any different than Friday night at the high school football game, or New Orleans’ Super Bowl celebration?
on March 10, 2010 at 3:22 pm
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Thanks for your comments CJ. I count numerous American’s amongst my friends, and know this was just one person’s ignorance popping up. To me it was just another example of ugly hate mongering, not a reflection of the opinions of the average citizen.
on March 3, 2010 at 10:16 pm
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wow, i didn’t see the article but i am outraged. the last time i went to america (september), i saw american flags everywhere, hanging off houses, hanging off tall new york buildings, in windows, stickers on bumpers. i thought it was beautiful and have always sort of envied our neighbours to the south and the way they honour their country.
the olympics made me really happy and teary because for the first time that i can recall, our vast country came together and showed some pride for who we are as a nation. it made my heart smile. large.
i am outraged that someone from a country who is known worldwide for their pride and patriotic displays would you know, get it and not compare us to something like nazi-ism. um. wow.
on March 3, 2010 at 7:44 pm
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YeHHH! You go girl! Or was I not supposed to cheer out in public for the Canadian spirit..sorry to all of you who don’t get this outpouring that came from us northerners in the 17days…but then you would have to be Canadian to truly understand.