Nationalism in Vancouver Olympics - Essay Example

? Nationalism in Vancouver Olympics Introduction This research paper discusses the problems of national inequalities in Canada. A context for discussion is the events of the Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010. The interests of indigenous people and the rest of the Canadian society split into two opposites during that period. Therefore, with respect to the modern studies on nationalism and national inequalities, the problem of nationalism in Canada is considered further on. The issue of nationalism has always raised a vivid discussion within any country. Nevertheless, nationalism is only a tool of promotion of a common past and future of a certain nation (Enloe, 2000). During Vancouver Olympic Games, the rights of indigenous Canadians have been violated and this was a controversial matter that split Canadians into two national camps. In his article “Native Rights Concerns Cloud 2010 Games”, Jon Elmer expresses a violent attitude to Canadian government. Thus, the latter was believed to violate the national sovereignty. Nevertheless, the initial goal of Olympic Games was seen in propagation of a common goodness for the Canadian nation. A fostering of policies directed on a successful and favorable future for representatives of different nations was believed to be a prevalent factor in the development of Canadian nationalism (Wallis et al, 2010). It is on behalf of a nation to distinguish between pros and cons of their development. On this background indigenous Canadian population has initiated their protests because they consider themselves to be poor people and they accuse their government of human rights violation. The St'at'imc nation protested against violation of their traditional lands where resort might have been located. Another claim made by other inhabitants in Canada, the building of new hotels has intensified a homelessness crisis. Moreover, the homelessness crisis in Canada severely deepened and turned into "a civic, and provincial and national shame" (Elmer). Therefore, in this article, the issue of nationalism is discussed in the paradigm of the importance of dwelling for a citizen. It is very important for a citizen to identify himself and to have his own place in his country. When this right is violated and taken away in the name of vague goals, an indignant nation may protest against it. In the article by Brandy Yanchyk two points of view are expressed in a broader context. On the one hand, it is underlined that Olympic Games present an opportunity for Canada to become a richer country and increase the vitality and a health level of the Canadian nation. On the other hand, it is underlined that a massive influx of athletes, public and journalists a great problem for Canada. Moreover, “Canada's indigenous peoples have suffered a long history of poverty, unemployment, and problems with addiction and high rates of suicide” (Yanchuk). Therefore, it is better to perceive the Olympic Games in Vancouver as a chance for indigenous people to show that they are “entrepreneurs, visual artists and performing artists. You know our culture is really living and thriving today and it's been through challenges," (Yanchuk) – that is the way a representative of the indigenous people have underlined a possible positive outcome of the Olympic Games. The attitude of indigenous people supposes the necessity of multiculturalism development, which is considered by Bannerji as: “a fantastic evocation of ‘unity’, which in any case becomes a reminder of the divisions” (Bannerji, p.79). Therefore, the objections made by indigenous people against Vancouver Olympic Games can be considered in these frames further on. They are an integrative part of the Canadian nation, but they want to preserve their historical traditions and prevent their territory from intrusion of a massive flux of foreigners. Such people associate themselves with their land and do not want to subject their land to the risk of being devastated by people from all over the world or share with them their dwellings. There is a problem of homelessness and there is no guarantee that Olympic Games would not intensify this problem. Still, Olympic Games are turned into a 17-day fest or party with no respect or a special attention to the needs and wants of the indigenous people. Bannerji (p. 81) underlines an indifferent policy of the Canadian government concerning indigenous people. A national identity of indigenous people should be integrated into the Canadian society and become an integrative part of it. Moreover, it is necessary to preserve their special traditions and customs and enrich them by the culture of other Canadians. The integration should not imply a removal of national identity or peculiarity, vice versa it should be extended and integrated within the Canadian society and be enriched by other traditions. As I have already mentioned above, the identification of somebody’s nationality with his land is one of the prevalent determinants of the self on the background of any country. Therefore, the ideas of indigenous people about a possible devastation of their lands, which can allow eco-tourism only, is justified because Olympic Games implies building of many roads, dwellings etc in order to satisfy the needs of the visitors. Still, after that event, Canada would have to maintain those facilities and it would cause a negative effect on the Canadian economy. A massive expansion of hills into ski area, a development of new resorts in the undeveloped mountains evokes considerations about the industrial growth of land where the indigenous people came from. The opponents of Vancouver Olympic Games have also claimed that these Games infringe the rights of indigenous people. There come more troubles and problems in the result of Vancouver Olympic Games instead of benefits for Canada. Still, some representatives of indigenous people would intensify their positions of dignified members of the Canadian society, because they would have an opportunity to share their values with all people around the world. Both, indigenous people and other Canadians is a horizontal creature of identity that is created around a vertical creature of national identity, which is the state (Mackey, p. 17). The development of national identity happens under the influence of a politics of tolerance in Canada, which is “a heritage of contradictions, ambiguity and flexibility” (Mackey, p. 18). Conclusion The initial goal of Olympic Games was seen in propagation of a common goodness for the Canadian nation. A fostering of policies directed on a successful and favorable future for representatives of different nations was believed to be a prevalent factor in the development of Canadian nationalism. On this background indigenous Canadian population has initiated their protests because they consider themselves to be poor people and they accuse their government of human rights violation. Nevertheless, the Canadian government does not respect the rights of indigenous people unlike the rest of the Canadian nation. Of course, the abundance of aboriginal symbolism during the Olympic Games in Vancouver was present, but it did not witness the real position of indigenous people in Canada. The latter group represents the most marginalized minority in Canada. Unfortunately, the systemic racism and discrimination is present in Canada against indigenous people and their protests against the Olympic Games on their native land is the result of the governmental neglect concerning their rights. The indengenous people want to preserve their land, which is uncede and unsurrended and do not want to turn it into a commerical machine used for illusive advertising. Works cited 1. Bannerji, H. On the Dark Side of the Nation: Politics of Multiculturalism and the State of “Canada”. Journal of Canadian Studies (October 1, 1996). 2. Elmer, J. Native Rights Concerns Cloud 2010 Games. Retrieved from: 3. Enloe, C. Bananas, Beaches and Bases: Making Feminist Sense of International Politics. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000. 4. Himani Bannerji. The Dark Side of the Nation: Essays on Multiculturalism, Nationalism and Gender. Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press, 2000. 5. Mackey, E. Settling differences: managing and representing people and land in the Canadian national project. Routledge, 1999. 6. Wallis, M. A., Lina Sunseri and Grace-Edward Galabuzi (eds.) Colonialism and Racism in Canada. Nelson Education, 2010. 7. Yanchyk, B. Vancouver. Retrieved from: Read More