When Vancouver proceeded to the Stanley Cup finals my patriotism soared. Memories of Olympic Hockey glory that originated in the same town, stirred feelings of a time of wonderful camaraderie.
We all know that what happened after the Vancouver Canucks were vanquished by the Boston Bruins last night was not glorious. The reaction inside Rogers Centre was rude, the actions that happened outside were shameful. I am totally aware that the destructive actions perpetrated by a band of hooligans is not a reflection of the majority of the citizens of Vancouver; there can be no doubt that those actions are reflected on the city and its citizens as a whole, and in fact have come to be a reflection on Canada and Canadians too. This attitude cant be brushed away with the claim that "it was just a handful of dissidents". The city and the nation has to share this shame as much as we were allowed to share in the glory of a handful of athletes just over a year ago.
During the first games of the playoffs at the Rogers Centre, the singing of the Canadian national anthem was hijacked by the fans. Today while keeping abreast of the fallout of last nights riots I heard the line "with glowing heart we see the rise" in my heart , when I heard of the call and answer for citizens of Vancouver to show up downtown to help clean the mess left in the wake of destruction. Bystanders who witnesses the events last night are coming forward and presenting evidence to ensure that the people who perpetrated criminal actions last night will be charged. Order is being restored and the guilty will be brought to justice, not only by city officials but in large part by the people of Vancouver.
They will not look for media attention and are unlikely to receive near the amount that the hoodlums got, but I think that when the dust settles the quiet perseverance and determination to be good citizens, to be a good city will resonate from Vancouver for the world to know and admire.
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