Schools should have to play O Canada: N.B. Education Minister

Why oh why do Canadians bitch about American Nationalism and then hold their own brand of nationalism up as something to be desired and/or practiced?

I think about nationalism and wonder why people want to limit themselves to having concern and compassion for people just because they pay into the same tax base as themselves. I don't get it but then, I'm an ex-patriot myself and clearly have sympathies with the No One Is Illegal crew.

Here are the official lyrics:

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

I can see why many would not want to sing these words--regardless of their actual feelings about the nation itself. I remember getting in fights at my American high school because I didn't want to stand up and say the Pledge of Allegiance, salute the flag, or have prayer at graduation. I see something fundamentally wrong with conditioning children to speak/sing words of which they don't even necessarily know the meaning.

What the hell is True North suppose to mean anyway? I'm sure there live people in Alaska, Norway, and Russia who feel like they may have a claim to that title as well.

I find it quite tricky this notion of national pride or even cultural pride. I suppose that I only find it acceptable when it's meant inclusively. I love celebrations like the upcoming Chinese New Year parade but I highly doubt I would be into it if I were asked to carry a banner that said the "True New Year Celebration."