From 1970, CBC radio. It's shocking how little has changed. Marshall McLuhan pointed out how new media don't replace old, they just recontextualize. It's a shame that the arguments don't move similarly forward.
From 1978. TV footage -- Albert Johnson, then CBC President, testifying to the CRTC.
"Most of our kids know more about the Alamo than they do about Batoche or Crysler's farm. They know more about Davy Crockett than they do about Louis Riel. What I'm trying to say quite bluntly is it does matter whether our kids are watching American rather than Canadian television. For they are being influenced by the values and attitudes reflected on American television, instead of Canadian values, attitudes, and Traditions."
John Louis Gagnon, the CRTC commissioner, goes on to recount the hostility met when French language service was extended across the country, and when Cancon was extended, and asks the simple question, "are you sure people want to be Canadian?"
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
Now back to your Jonas Brothers 3D movie.
(For the record, I had to look up Crysler's farm. But then again, I was born in the USA.)
3 comments:
Yeah, I'll be honest, I have no clue what Batouch or Crysler's farm are. Riel, on the other hand, I know better than Crockett. What did Davy Crockett do... did he plant trees or something or am I getting my American historical or fictional figures mixed up.
Oh, and what's this about objection to extending French service across Canada? Who the hell objected to that? They do know that there are French people out of Quebec, right?
As for the "are you sure people want to be Canadian?" line, I'm reminded of the recent news that they're shutting down the 'A' channel in Windsor, which was, I think, the only commercial network with specific service in the area. All that's left, pretty much, is TVO, CBC and the channels from Detroit...
There was a glitch in my first try at this; apologies if you see two copies.
I agree with your sentiment. However (and not trying to be *too* pedantic) please check out: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plus%20ca%20change,%20plus%20c%27est%20la%20meme%20chose
This *is* the country after all where the Battle of the Plains of Abraham *may* be re-enacted in the United States.
...edN
thanks for that. corrected. once upon a time I probably knew that myself, but i'm growing older you see and my brain is dying a bit every day.
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