I don't think it is very nice! I agree!
I also really don't see what this had to do with the original post.Am I missing something?

I am wondering the same thing. What does a cultural comparison of two countries have to do with why he is leaving? I honestly thought maybe he drank too much of that wine all at once and when he sobered up he'd return.

i could be completely wrong here, but when i read chris's original post, i thought he was just trying to go for a very nice sentiment that we here at kickAS are individual tiles in a beautiful mosaic and he was hoping that darryn would not remove his tile. being an american, i've certainly heard of the melting pot theory, i remember very distinctly being taught that in school. i don't think chris meant to compare americans to canadians, just to merely compare two concepts. and i agree with jay, in the end, i think its all just semantics. i guess i was just reading past the words and going for the intentions, which i thought were well meaning. my gut tells me that when chris logs on, he just might be surprised that he has stirred up such controversy; i just don't think that was his intention.

Sue,

I think you're right about Chris not having any bad intentions -
and it would have been a nice sentiment to mention the Mosaic metaphor and how Darryn shouldn't remove his tile - sure!

But was there anything nice about the American's and the melting pot bit?

Perhaps the concept needs to be read in full to be completely understood! Still none the wiser.... Chris - come back and explain!!!

Sue, I agree i think Chris was just trying to be nice and keep Darryn with us. I hope we can just get on with something eles and like you said when he does log on he will probably be suprised by all the reactions. Well, myself is moving on and off, because i am having to good of a day to get in an uproar and i havn't had a good day in a long time so i am going to make good use of it and gets some stuff done that is long over due then tomorrow i will be bed ridden. I just look outside and there is sunshine even a greater day now. There hasn't been that much sunshine in my area lately just snow.

Have a good day everyone

darryn, sorry to see you go! i've enjoyed your posts even though i've only been active on the site for a short time.

Surely this can't be news to you?

The Melting Pot is an American term, meant to remind newcomers that they are Americans first, in the melting pot, they burn away whatever they brought with them and come out as Americans, all the same and equal...or so the story goes.

In Canada, we have an alternative national concept called the Mosaic. I have no doubt it is a direct response to the Melting Pot idea. With the Mosaic, Canada is saying we are different than our cousins to the south while also letting immigrants know that in Canada, you are a Canadian second to whatever your own heritage is. You keep what you bring here, we value your past and heritage and believe that there is strength in diversity, not assimilation.

I'm sorry if this sounds like a bigger deal than it is. The Mosaic is different from the American Melting Pot, that is all really. Being a smaller country right next to the most powerful nation on the planet gives us a bit of an inferiority complex. We need to define ourselves, and the easiest way to do that is to point out the differences between us and the USA.

I'm talking about national ideals here, obviously, there are individuals who will not agree with these concepts. Lots of Americans might prefer the Mosaic idea and there are certainly many Canadians who hate the very idea of tolerance and acceptance and would rather never see a turban or smell curry cooking, etc. Ok, now I'm really getting off topic and will reign myself in.

Mosaic is Canadian, Melting Pot is American. That is my basic assumption. (I believe all of my knowledge is derived from watching Schoolhouse Rock cartoons as a child..."I'm just a Bill on Capital Hill" and all that?)

For me personally, the Mosaic concept reminds me of this place, one where diversity is celebrated and tolerance abounds.

Chris

Holy crap! I hadn't read all of the comments about what I'd written earlier OMG...people are wayyy tooo sensitive.

First of all my point was very simple. The Mosaic concept is about celebrating diversity - darryn is one tile and without it our Mosaic is less diverse...this isn't complicated people.

Then you have the cultural aspect of the national concept in Canada as being distinct from that of America. You cannot discuss this Mosaic vs. Melting Pot without getting into nationalism...the Mosaic was likely created as a "Slam" against America. Canada is a little country next to a giant and we often take pride in making distinctions between us and the US...I am really shocked some of you werent' aware of this.

Come up to Canada and you'll really feel badly about people "Slamming you"...all of my ex-patriate American friends have gone through a period where the anti-American jokes get to be too much and they have a little fit. Of course it is wrong to generalize and especially to make one individual out to be responsible for the choices their gov't makes but do you honestly believe it is any different for Canadians who move down south?

Americans give Canadians a hard time and we do exactly the same as well...it's sandbox rules, I'm sorry you weren't aware of this. Being the bigger and stronger cousin, perhaps you didn't notice.

I also tried to point out that not all Canadians agree with the Mosaic concept just as there are Americans who don't agree with the Melting Pot.

This started out being all about Darryn and me trying to convince him to want to stay but instead it has become some kind of nonsense about some people having a problem with Canada not accepting the Melting Pot idea.

I chose not to take people's quotes out of context and tried to keep this general...because that is what is...generalizations, it's not about individuals...it also has very little to do with reality.

The only important thing is that we have a member who is hurting and we ought to try to help him instead of bickering and convincing him and others I suspect, to want to run for the hills.

(shaking my own head in disbelief)

Chris

Having read and re-read all of these posts I see that it is really only a couple of people who took offence at my comments, not understanding the difference between angry people in the Middle East burning flags in the street, and some good natured elbows in the ribs from your cousins who share the longest undefended border the world has ever seen.

To those of you who think I'm attacking America, you need to relax and get a grip on reality - I am not your enemy. When you can no longer look at your own country objectively and attempt to silence all dissent...then you begin to give your enemies arguments credence. I'm talking about your real enemies here.

Canada is not your enemy. We love you, and most of us have family in the US. Over 90% of our population lives within one hour of the border, we grow up watching American shows on TV, watch American news, read American newspapers, study American history in school. You are surprised that we might have some criticisms now and then? Are you really? You honestly haven't heard the exact same comments coming from people you know and love, maybe your own families? Stop trying to use me as your scape-goat. I don't hate Americans, I don't hate any nationality, do I believe the US has some major problems to work out ...duh, do I really need to answer that?

No country can claim not to have problems, the bigger the country, the bigger the problems...the USA happens to be on top, guess what that means?

Like Spider-Man said, "With great power comes great responsibility"...(this too is a joke).

Most of you get it. Some of you never will. It's ok but I'm done with this issue.

Darryn, I don't understand why you are leaving but it is your right to be where you want to be. This forum is full of wonderful people who would never hurt you or any one else on purpose. Just like the mosaic/melting pot discussion. I don't think anyone aimed it at us or our country. I thought both thoughts are beautiful and basically the same thing and not meant to be hurtful to any of us.

Just to say "If I offended you in any way, I am sorry."

Blessings and wishes for Kicking AS.

Possi

I said that I thought both concepts were beautiful but reading it again, I have to change my mind. It does make America sound not so good and we are a wonderful country. I think we should just move on from this topic. I love all of my Canadian friends just as I do my British, Scottish, Austrailians, Indians, and all of the rest of you. We are a mosaic here but then again we are a melting pot because we all have the same disease to fight.

Blessings.
Possi

Possi you couldnt offend any one if you tried your one of the sweetest people I know.It was me who upset Darryn because I picked up on the way he said something and commented on it and he didnt like it.Im sorry he took the attitude he did If he had explained what he meant I would have apologised but he just seems to have been offended and left. I obviously hit a nerve.
Im not happy upseting people but will question what people say if I think there behaviour could be wrong.

Kevin