The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1967, Page 41

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
39
Citizens All
by Arilius Isfeld
One hundred years old! This is in-
deed extended time for an individual
but for a country it is but the first
stage in its desired existence. Canada
has, however, lived through many
exciting experiences during its first
century. For the most part those events
have been adventurous and pleasant
milestones on the road to nationhood.
Not least among those was the exciting
event of its inhabitants becoming
bonefide Canadian Citizens. A true
Canadian citizenship was an endear-
ing gift to the millions that called
Canada home.
As this Centennial year progresses,
we, the citizens of Canada, have
roused ourselves to a flag-waving feel-
ing of pride in our country. This out-
ward action and spirit is in itself an
excellent step forward but now as
Canada “comes of age” we should in
addition give serious thought to the
basic citizenship principles involved
in the development of a harmonious
nation, respected and admired by all
of humanity. If these principles are
not nurtured in every succeeding year
this surge of patriotic feeling during
Centennial year may prove to be a
passing fancy or a temporary emotion-
al situation. To prove that this is not
so we should take serious stock of our-
selves in order to ascertain whether
we qualify, individually and plurally,
as truly good Citizens. If we find our-
selves lacking in the desired qualities
we should promptly make a serious at-
tempt to correct the situation. It
naturally follows that one must be, to
some degree at least, informed in the
area of what constitutes good Citizen-
ship, before any positive action can
be taken. What then is, “good Citizen-
ship”?
Firstly a good citizen is a willing
and interested member of his com-
munity. Here he must show consider-
ation for the feelings and needs of
others. He is at all times courteous to
others, sharing in their task of making
his community a better place in which
to live. Here he is willing to support
his religious institution and at the
same time fully respects the religious
institutions of those whose beliefs vary
from his own and he gives all, ir-
respective of race or religion, the same
consideration as he an turn expects
from them. He does not frown upon
the activities of others simply because
those activities are contrary to his per-
sonal beliefs or feelings, but rather
judges others by their true acts and
deeds apart from his or their tradition-
ally accepted rights or wrongs. He is
at all times truthful, realizing that
truth only is permanent and can never
be destroyed whereas falsehoods, being
of substance that never existed, cause
only harm and eventually fall by the
wayside. He steals not his brother’s
character by deliberately and unneces-
sarily defaming him or maliciously at-
tacking him, but rather exemplifies his
good qualities. Fie never takes an un-
fair advantage of others and realizes
that taking such an advantage is a
theft in disguise be it a value in time,
money, reputation or character.