(no subject)

[owlectomy]

Expats talk about Canada.

We don't much like to wave the flag,
We find patriotism shocking,
So we celebrate on Canada day
By going cross-border shopping
Forgive us, we're Canadian
We try hard to be nice
You too can be Canadian
If you follow this advice
-The Arrogant Worms

Five years after moving from Montreal, I get more and more nervous about claiming "Canadian" as my identity. I spent all of high school with no higher goal than to move to Montreal as soon as possible, and -- since Cornell fortunately rejected me! -- I made it. But I like Brooklyn enough, and my French is bad enough, that I don't feel that way any more; and I get emotionally involved with American politics even though I can't vote, and I don't follow Canadian politics that much except when they get especially crazy; and still, I do not want to become an American citizen.

Ultimately I guess I don't really mind feeling like an inadequate Canadian.

Comments

[takumashii.livejournal.com]

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

I don't feel like I could say it. The idea just makes me feel bad at a gut level. It would be like marrying someone you don't love, complete with vows to love, honor, and obey, just to get health care or a green card.