When I was about to board the metro in Montreal a complete stranger came up to ask me what the poppy signifies. When I explained it's for the veterans and Remembrance Day he asked what Remembrance Day is. My jaw dropped.
It's also seemed to me like I was the only young adult wearing a poppy. The only other people I ever saw wearing them were the elderly, and even that was not very common. It really bothered me.
I've learned since that WWII is quite a taboo subject in Québec. What with a forced conscription and all. But the whole thing is a little more complicated than that: many called them cowards for not signing up to go and fight, so conscription was the only choice.
On the other hand, the war was all but over to them, so all canadians would be doing is helping the Americans clean up.
Regardless, if history does not involve Québec in a directly positive way, it is not history to them, it seems. Or it is better forgotten, or added to the Heap of Grudges that will last a millenium.
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It's also seemed to me like I was the only young adult wearing a poppy. The only other people I ever saw wearing them were the elderly, and even that was not very common. It really bothered me.
Oh, and hi!
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I've learned since that WWII is quite a taboo subject in Québec. What with a forced conscription and all. But the whole thing is a little more complicated than that: many called them cowards for not signing up to go and fight, so conscription was the only choice.
On the other hand, the war was all but over to them, so all canadians would be doing is helping the Americans clean up.
Regardless, if history does not involve Québec in a directly positive way, it is not history to them, it seems. Or it is better forgotten, or added to the Heap of Grudges that will last a millenium.
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