Nationalism, O Nationalism!

Greetings! As many of you must have noticed, this past week we celebrated both Canada Day and the Fourth of July. For those of you who don't know, Canada Day is a national holiday celebrated every year on the first of July in Canada. This holiday commemorates when Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia unified into the "Dominion of Canada". This event occurred a 136 years ago -- a relatively young country compared to the others in the world.

Though similar, the Fourth of July, otherwise known as Independence Day in the United States, marks the day the thirteen colonies unified together to secede from their mother country, Great Britain.

Every year on both days, Canada and the USA celebrate with parades, fireworks, performances, and much more on the birth of their respective nations. Because it's such a patriotic time, many questions comes to mind, but one in particular: what is nationalism and what does it mean to you?

Seemed like a perfect time to create another contest, just like the ongoing Whyville Summer Staff contest! :-)

Especially with recent events, understanding your role as a citizen of your country is getting more and more complex every day. When do you disagree and when do you agree with what your government does? If you disagree, what actions are appropriate to show your disapproval?

So many questions, all surrounding one central idea: nationalism.

The Whyville Times asks you citizens to send us your views in essay format about your thoughts on nationalism. Topics may consist of, but are not limited to:

1. What is nationalism and what does it mean to you?

2. Should your country expect a sense of loyalty from you automatically?

3. When is it appropriate to not support your country? How would you show your resistance?

4. Hard: Talk about the similarities and differences between nationalism and terrorism. Are some of the correlations frightening?

5. What countries today are fighting for nationalism/independence?

6. How do you show your country your loyalty?

7. Discuss the range between loyalty, indifference, civil disobedience, and radicalism.

8. If you could fix one thing in your government, what would it be and why? (Extra: How?)

9. Compare different types of nations and their governments. What does each country/government expect out of their citizens? How do people's nationalism change geographically?

10. Anything you think is important regarding nationlism. Remember: the more creative the idea, the more likely chance it will get published (and win)!