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IC wd i a ss 5 ln 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 28, 1992 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" EDITORIAL The Port Perry Star 188 MARY STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - L9L 1B7 PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second class mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Subscription Rate: 6Months-$18.72 includes $1.22GST 1Year-$32.10 includes $2.10GST Forelgn-$90.95 includes $5.95 GST Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten News Edltor - Scott Anderson Features Editor - Julia Dempsey Sports Co-ordinator - Kelly Lown ADVERTISING Advertising Manager - Anna Jackman Advertising Sales - Jackie Metz Production - Pamela Hickey, Barbara Bell BUSINESS OFFICE Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope PRODUCTION Annabell Harrison, Trudy Empringham Robert Taylor, Marlene Moore re Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Lynda Ruhl Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Associaton Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. Port Perry, Ontario * GST induded in price Editorial Comment Not All Proud From the poor display of patriotism over the weekend it appears that only some people of Scugog are Proud to be Canadians. A small amount of residents of Scugog lined the route from the Scugog\Oshawa border to the Port Perry High School in the early hours of Saturday morning to welcome the Peace Tower flag to Port Perry. A few hun- dred more lined Queen Street later in the morning to view the parade and participate in the ceremonies in the newly dedicated Palmer Park. Colorful floats adorned with Canadian flags and smil- ing young faces showed how proud some Canadians are, as did the flag waving adults who lined the streets. But the numbers that stayed away also made a powerful statement. \ _ "he aambli or. he Sable > \eaal ov notice. pul \S5ue 15 URN 22 Va /, ty 4, N 2 ol DE AY RYE RTT xy XL 0) : iP : NN G [ 3A WY Rind 9 Nl Nib nin @ S 4 . = YO -- -- TV NY HOODOO ODOOOU hn A oN £5 Jb iby : Paso = EV. i 5 3: EARRI) AL KINA NN ey ~~ SSCP o Dave Robinson, national Kinsmen president and a resident of nearby Seagrave, is the creator of the Proud to Be Canadian flag tour. It was his idea to create a feel- ing of pride and foster some sense of patriotism in the country by creating an event where the whole of Canada can participate. Two Canadian flags touring the country and a special flag signing ceremony by the youngsters in the community was just the thing to do this. And it is just as good that the children of the commu- nities were the focus of the attention as the adults were put to shame by the childrens' enthusiasm. It is sad to think that with a community of more than 15,000 people, that only a few thousand could come out for the collective support of patriotism. At a time when our country's future is at stake, the fear of separatism looming over our heads, the uncertain future of both French/English relations, and discontent among the native population, it should be an incentive to foster the feeling of how proud we are. In addressing the crowd on Saturday, Ross Steven- son, Durham MP, said that Canada is one of the most de- sirable countries in the world in which to live. People are clammering for passports and opportunities to become Canadian citizens. The United Nations recently recog- nized Canada as one of the most desirable countries in which to live as well. But while those on the outside realize how special Canada is, the inhabitants of Canada, have yet to realize it. The ceremonies on the weekend gave us a chance to get out and in a small way express our emotions. We were not required to voice our opinions and do anything that would single one another out in any way other than your presence. By just appearing at the parade, bringing our children or attending the ceremonies in the park, we were expressing without words just how patriotic we really are and how we felt about being Canadian. And while some proud Canadians took the time to ex- press their emotions and proudly display the Canadian flag, the symbol of all we believe in, the proud display of the rights and freedoms we have, others took the chance to deny people of their basic right of freedom of expres- sion. In an act of vandalism, two of Port Perry's merchants and pillars of our community, had their Canadian flags, which they proudly and unabashedly flew over their estab- lishments, stolen. Ripped down from their respective build- ing while we slept. Canadians enjoy many freedoms in this country, the freedom of expression, the freedom of choice and the right to vote. By ripping down the Canadian flag, the symbol which stands for all of our rights, it is a powerful and selfish statement that not all of us apparently have the same rights. We should be proud to be Canadians, but not of the Canadians who did this. Ranmdormm Jottings GROWING PRIDE Pride in our country appears to be alive and well in Port Perry. At least that's the impression I received last weekend during Proud To Be Canadian celebrations. Queen Street never looked better with Canadian flags fluttering in the wind from almost every building in the downtown, making the scene one to be proud of. I even found the attitude of most people was more positive and upbeat about the new look the town had taken on for the arrival of the Kinsmen Club "Proud To Re Canadian" flag tour. Unlike our American neighbors, we Canadians are not known to be enthusiastic flag wavers or country boosters, although I've always believed we should. Patriotism, flag waving and pride in their nation are all things which are drilled into Americans from a tender age, and that pride in their nation shows. While there are many who may see American patriotism as being arrogant and over- bearing, it's hard to fault them for the tremen- dous pride they show for their country and heritage. I's time we, as Canadians started showing a lot more pride in our country. Let's be ready to stand tall and sing praise to our country and fly the Canadian flag with pride whenever the opportunity shows itself. Last weekend was a great start, and hopeful- ly it won't stop there. This is Canada's 125 birth. day year, so what better time to make an extra effort to "wave our flags." When all those Canadian flags along Queen Street and other parts of the Township begin to fade, or become tattered and torn, let's not just take them down. Let's make a vow to replace them and keep them flying all year round. WHAT'S IN A NAME? Indians, Eskimos, Braves, Cowboys, Canucks, Warriors, Redskins, Yankees and Padres. What do all these names have in common? Well, it appears there is growing concern that the use of any of these names to identify a team of players of any sport is racist, and the practice should be banished. The controversy started last year, when exu- berant fans of the Atlanta Braves started chant- ing and waving sponge tomahawks in the stands as they cheered for their heroes in the World Series. By the time the Brave's season ended, the controversy surrounding their name died, but now, after lying dormant all winter it is once again grabbing headlines in the media. Personally, I think people are over-reacting on this particular issue. In fact, I believe the country has become obsessed with trying to pro- tect the rights of every nationality and special interest group, to the point it is beginning to purse the rights and expectations of what might e described as Christian, white, Canadians. Now it's the Cleveland Indians. The "Indians" has been a perfectly accepted name for more than sixty years, but now, all of a sudden in 1992, it becomes racist? [ hardly think so! Stereotyping Indians, probably so. But to say it's racist, no way! Next thing we know they'll be trying to eliminate the "Canadians" from Montreal Canadians because it's racist. My understanding of how the name 'In- dians' was chosen for the Cleveland team, was to honor the young American Indian who was the first to play baseball in the big leagues. It would be nice if those so bent on pursuing this cause would use their energy on something more productive and quite trying to cause pro- blems where none exist. [ agree wholeheartedly with the concept of correcting and eliminating problems concerning discrimination and racism where they exist, but to manufacture false issues is not only wrong, it is counter-productive to the cause. Enthusiastic fans waving sponge toma- hawks and chanting at ue games may not be the RW way of cheering teams on, but I seriously doubt "Indian" or "Braves" sup- porters ever intended there actions as racist. ret at Moc] ap aioe ET ei EE -------- wi TT ---- NN IG STR PG JI A TB dt bs ats Bono BR i ht pe img i : ! i } | it aga ER ISS----