Sports and nationalism, like any other group activity, can bring friends, family, and even strangers together. It is through the, “shared image of community” in which elicit a strong sense of belonging, community, and identity (Haslam, 256). However, with the creation of communities and a sense of “us” there is the inevitable creation of “others”, those who do not belong. This creation of an extreme “us” versus “them” drives more people apart than unifying them. The articles provided for this week’s critical reading focus on the way that hockey dictates and reinforces the hegemonic white ideals in Canada.
Pride in one’s country is an admirable trait, however, when patriotism reaches an extreme it can become toxic to society. The danger of …show more content…
Through the ideologies perpetuated through hockey, the hegemonic class controls the ideals of the country. In recent years, the national identity of Canada has become one of acceptance and tolerance. This is most notably seen in Tim Hortons’ commercials depicting Canadians of colour participating in the nation’s greatest sport, hockey (Krebs, 88). It is through Tim Hortons and the hockey arena where all Canadians can be fully accepted as Canadians. However, through this acceptance in which the minorities in Canada are both, “absorbed into the nation and distinguished from it” (Krebs, 87). The creation of “us” and “them” continues to separate the hegemonic group from those being dominated by the ideologies. Moreover, it is through these Canadian ideologies in which it reinforces the idea of a Canadian melting pot, rather than supporting the idea of a multicultural Canada (Haslam, 258). This use of a Canadian sport and a Canadian coffee chain/identity forces those of different background to forgo their cultural sports and identity for the dominant one. This assimilation of cultural beliefs under the hegemonic culture and creation of cultural otherness can also be seen in the Vancouver Olympics. During the Olympics the Canadian government worked with four First Nation groups to demonstrate the importance of the First Nations to the Canadian culture (Haslam, 273). This inclusion and use of First Nation symbols both highlights the differences between the prominent cultural identity and the culture of the minority and erases the history and issues experienced by the First
Pride in one’s country is an admirable trait, however, when patriotism reaches an extreme it can become toxic to society. The danger of …show more content…
Through the ideologies perpetuated through hockey, the hegemonic class controls the ideals of the country. In recent years, the national identity of Canada has become one of acceptance and tolerance. This is most notably seen in Tim Hortons’ commercials depicting Canadians of colour participating in the nation’s greatest sport, hockey (Krebs, 88). It is through Tim Hortons and the hockey arena where all Canadians can be fully accepted as Canadians. However, through this acceptance in which the minorities in Canada are both, “absorbed into the nation and distinguished from it” (Krebs, 87). The creation of “us” and “them” continues to separate the hegemonic group from those being dominated by the ideologies. Moreover, it is through these Canadian ideologies in which it reinforces the idea of a Canadian melting pot, rather than supporting the idea of a multicultural Canada (Haslam, 258). This use of a Canadian sport and a Canadian coffee chain/identity forces those of different background to forgo their cultural sports and identity for the dominant one. This assimilation of cultural beliefs under the hegemonic culture and creation of cultural otherness can also be seen in the Vancouver Olympics. During the Olympics the Canadian government worked with four First Nation groups to demonstrate the importance of the First Nations to the Canadian culture (Haslam, 273). This inclusion and use of First Nation symbols both highlights the differences between the prominent cultural identity and the culture of the minority and erases the history and issues experienced by the First