Jun 21, 2011

In defense of Canucks

I've visited Vancouver many times in my youth and have always considered it a beautiful and diverse city. In my times clubbing, concert going, shopping, eating, drinking heavily, or just wandering aimlessly I enjoyed being a tourist in a place that offered so much. My friends and I always thought highly of the largest city in British Columbia.

Given the nonsense associated with the riots, many across Canada and the US have formed an unfavorable opinion about Vancouver. While understandable given that they had unrest back in 94 as well, I fail to see how the actions of those few should be a reflection on the entire population. Granted the media only chooses the most sensationalized aspects of the story, which of course the populous wants to hear, but I hate the fact that a few stupid teenagers, who may or may not live in the area, are somehow the standard for judging the community.

I can't speak to how well or poorly the city handled the situation as I wasn't there, but from what I've read the cops and emergency response teams showed the utmost professionalism.

I've seen other media outlets rage against the mainstream as they psychoanalyze riot mentality and attempt to educate us in things we already know, which is pretentious as all hell. We're smart people. We know the ingredients for spoiled people engaging in civil unrest and therefore don't need anyone to remind us why this happened.

What I don't read about is people who have visited Vancouver and can attest to how wonderful the city and it's citizenry can be. Again, as someone who once frequented the area I feel the recent riot in no way changes my opinion on it. In fact, the way the populous has responded to cleaning up the mess has proven to me that many good people reside there.

"Americans know as much about Canada as straight people do about gays. Americans arrive at the border with skis in July, and straight people think that being gay is just a phase. A very long phase." - Scott Thompson

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll stop hating on Vancouver when Vancouverians stops hating on me.

Miss Ash said...

Ya what is it with the whole if you like Vancouver you have to hate Toronto and if you like Toronto you have to hate Vancouver?!?

I like em both! I just can't for the life of me understand why people would riot because of a hockey game...huh?!? That's just fucked up to me and embarassing.

Mattbear said...

I love Vancouver. Haven't been in a long time, and really want to go visit again.

Also love that Kids in the Hall quote.

rawbean said...

Well said. Too bad a lot of people don't have this same clarity on the topic. A lot of fellow Canadians took this as an opportunity to bash Vancouver....all but Torontonians actually who know how it feels and took the more understanding high road. This event was a big eye opener on how easily the news/world can turn on your city over the actions of a bunch of douchebags. And actually, it felt like a lot of people were happy to see Vancouver taken down a few notches. Those people suck.

Yea that's right I commented.

Anonymous said...

good closing quote - sw