I have never been ashamed to be a Canadian. I have always been very proud of my province. No doubt you have already heard or read about the rioting that went on after the hockey game last night. I am ashamed. I am not proud. I am embarrassed. I am disgusted. I have heard that this riot was planned by a group of individuals but as far as I can see this is more than a group of individuals. Take a look at these pictures and decide for yourself.
I am dismayed and confused. These people are an insult to what the majority of Canadians stand for. The people I know are humble, quiet and peaceful. There were over 150, 000 people in downtown Vancouver and yes it was a small percentage of people that were looting and causing destruction. But still, there are a lot of people in these pictures.
As I went about my day every single person I spoke to was dumbfounded. We don't know what to say. This is not our Canada.
Last night I wondered what I could say to all of you. I felt actual stress today on how to approach this. I have nothing to say because saying anything condones what happened. All I can say is on behalf of the millions of Canadians out there that would never act this way, I am sorry. To my American readers, I apologize. Boston played a great game and is clearly a stronger team than Vancouver. My congratulations go to the team and the fans.
Oh my goodness. I didn't hear about this. Sports can cause such high emotions. People can be awful when it comes to football here. Thanks for addressing it, I'm sure in time all will be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry Barbara that you had to live through this... I watched the game and was, secretly wanting Boston to win after the Canucks players behaved terribly and shot their mouths off... my Husband, who is also Canadian, felt the same way... but to see these horrible pictures of such a beautiful province on fire hurt me too... I loved Vancouver... Loved it... and I was only there for a two week holiday... so if I am hurting for it now, I cannot imagine how you must be feeling... I am so sorry sunshine...
ReplyDeleteJust focus on your sister giving birth to a beautiful healthy baby soon and take your mind off of it.
Lots of love coming your way!
Just one more thing barbara... Boston played amazingly but do not forget, that many of them are Canadian as well... one of them is actually from Vancouver... so I am sure the Canadian players on the Bruins's team are also hurting...
ReplyDeleteUGH! What the hell! Vancouver looked so sad....I am from Boston actually and might be moving back soon...to NH technically but round it off to Boston ; ) We tend to get all righteous and aggressive..blame our influence !! I am sorry though...that is stupid! That is an isolated event...I still believe in Vancouver's charm..never been...but I feel connected with it soo much! I have ALWAYS said Vancouver is the # 1 place I HAVE to go to! Great game though!! Sorry for your dismay!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to say I believe Canadians are a wonderful people and I believe young drunk men should behave better. After reading many blogs from lovely Canadians I can't see the idiocy of those men? changing my opinion. I do, however, share your sadness. It has happened here and all over the world. I feel sad for those whose losses were real, not just a game.
ReplyDeleteIt's astounding what a mob mentality can do.. frighteningly so. Just about everyone in the photos are quite young. They have many years ahead of them through which eventually, most of them will be feeling very ashamed. I hope.
ReplyDeleteYou're right though.. it's so very out of the ordinary for Canadian behaviour. But we're not immune to stupidity.
Very naughty "small percentage."
ReplyDeleteOMG! I have to be honest, those pictures are shocking....
ReplyDeleteBut you don't have to be sorry Birdie. There are "bad apples" in every part of the world. Trust me, here in America, we have our share of losers too!
I never judge people, or a culture, or a country on the actions of an isolated event involving some probably, very intoxicated individuals. I just feel bad for all the innocents in the way...
Not to worry, Birdie...
The whole thing is sad and stupid, but unfortunately those small minded people could have been from anywhere. People that are going to do disrespectful and stupid things are going to do them no matter where they are from or where they are at. Some people just look for reasons to behave badly. It never crossed my mind to think anything different of the Canadian people because of this idiocy, to tell the truth. Canada surely doesn't have the market cornered on ignorance. I live in Texas. How often are we on the news with something unbelievable and stupid???
ReplyDeleteDon't sweat it Sugar. Have a great weekend. Take care of you!!
You Canadians are wonderful people,those are stupid people, they don't represent to Canadians, dear...
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.:)
Birdie -- First of all I have always admired Canada and what your country stands for. I think that what happened at the games was not a Canadian riot but a global behavior riot. So many pieces to the puzzle as to why people around the world are acting like idiots. I remove such people from the country which they think they represent -- they do not -- they are acting out some "claim to fame" by acting in violent ways or whatever -- they do not represent the country they live in. Period.
ReplyDelete-- barbara
I've been without my computer all week and don't have a TV so heard about it on the radio but hadn't seen any photos. They're shocking. All I can think is there is so much rage being expressed in these photos and what are these young men and women so angry about.
ReplyDeleteYou described so well what most Canadians feel. You are sensible and nice...We know the majority feel like you do
ReplyDeleteWere you out there rioting? I don't think so. So- what the hell?
ReplyDeleteNo apologies.
I live in a small southern town in the US where people get rabid about sports.
Do I feel the need to apologize if people go nuts after a game?
No way. I just go, "What assholes," and get on with my life.
Birdie, there is alway a sector of our population that had nothing better to do than to create a distraction for themselves by distroying what others build.
ReplyDeleteAnd sometimes younger kids react to the action by joining in without thinking of future consequences. It doesn't make right but it does happen and it isn't reflection of Canada but a reflection of these people choices.