BY: PETER MARSH
As a proud man Canadian, I sing ‘O Canada’ with an enormous sense of pride, especially when I emphasize ‘in all thy sons command’. When I sing those sweet, exclusive lyrics, I think of my grandfather, Ernest, who heroically answered the call to fight against suffragettes at the turn of the 20th century. Changing the words to an anthem he sung would be an insult to those brave veterans of a long struggle to preserve patriarchy.
Since the beginning of this country, 49% of the population has always dictated the customs and identity to the remaining 51% and that shouldn’t end. That’s not sexism; that’s tradition.
My grandpappy fought in many battles throughout Canada mostly on his leather chair lecturing to any family member who would listen about the dangers of granting suffrage to the ‘lesser sex’.
Leading his Masonic Lodge members into battles where he was often outnumbered, he kept his foes at bay for at least decade. In the end, he paid with his life after walking in front of Robert Borden’s train to stop him from passing legislation that would grant women the right to vote. But there’s no statue on Parliament Hill for him; no ticker tape parade.
We need to put a stop to this politically correct society that feels we need to acknowledge women as a part of our historical identity or are actual people. That’s all my grandfather would have ever asked for.
