Bitmeth

I am Canadian. My grandparents came to this country as immigrants, looking for a better life. They arrived with nothing, and were given nothing by the government; nor did they ask for anything. My grandfathers worked hard. One opened a business with partners, the other worked for a large company. My grandmothers stayed home and raised their families. They learned English. They paid taxes. They followed the rules and the laws of their new land. They continued to freely practice their religion and continue their traditions, while also embracing Canadian values and immersing themselves in Canadian society. My parents were born here. They, too, had the freedom to practice their religion, celebrate their holidays, continue their parent’s traditions, while living a Canadian life. I grew up here. I stood and sang Oh Canada every morning. Never loved the song, but always sang it proudly. I celebrated Canada Day. I learned about Canadian history, Canadian geography, Canadian government. I leaned about Canada. I went to school with people from different countries; different religions; different cultures; different skin colours. We all played together. We all hung out together. We were all friends. I grew up in one of the safest countries in the world. We worried about nothing. I grew up in one of the friendliest countries in the world. Canada was known for being polite; saying “sorry”; for being amenable. Nobody hated us. We had a great reputation in the world. When American kids travelled they’d often put the Canadian flag on their backpack because they’d be treated better. Canada was great. A great place to live. A great place to raise a family. I don’t recognize our country anymore. The hate, the rhetoric, the violence, the lack of safety and security. This is not the Canada my grandparents immigrated to. This is not the Canada I grew up in. This is not the Canada I planned to raise children in. We are at war right now. Us. Canadians. Here in Canada. We are at war with an ideology that wishes to wipe out and destroy us and everything we stand for. They wish to replace Canada with an Islamic state and Sharia law, forcing everyone to convert to Islam or be killed. I’m not making this up. They’ve told us. If we want to save Canada, we need to stand up against them. We need to speak up against them. We need to be contacting our elected officials and telling them that they need to save Canada. We have to be united. Right now, we cannot let things like our opinion on the war divide us. If we do, Islam will win. We have to focus on coming together. As Canadians. To fight for our country. Canada. The Canada we were born in or chose to come to. The Canada we helped to build. The Canada we know and love. The Canada we need. I am Canadian. And I will not stay silent or stay still while my Canada is destroyed.