The format of a My Take is 150 words – no more, no less – to express an opinion on a different topic each week. This week’s topic was national pride.
The lock screen of my phone has a quote on it from feminist pop-culture critic Anita Sarkeesian; “Be critical of the media you love.”
The original context of the quote has to do with being conscious of the stereotypes used in popular art forms as you enjoy them to help break these tropes down over time.
I think about it a lot in this time of national holidays.
As the flag-waving ramps up around any celebration of national pride, be it Quebecois, Canadian, American or otherwise, it often brings along this idea that those who question or criticise things hate their country.
Standing by ‘love it or leave it,’ though, gradually excludes anyone with a differing opinion. And the further down that road we go, the harder a place becomes to live in.
Be critical of the nation you love, we’ll be better for it.
