Let Me Make One Thing Clear
by Manahil Bandukwala
let me make one thing clear:
when I talk about patriotism,
nationalism, or any such love
for a country that’s pretty screwed up
(let’s face it, pakistan has a lot of work to do)
I’m not talking about the person
who was elected either honestly
or through some rigging
politicians are temporary;
was stephen harper ever the face of canada?
george bush of the u.s.?
yet canadians and americans still declare
themselves proud of their soil
no one thinks they’re proud of bigotry
so no, I’m not saying I support
honour killings, terrorism, sexism, classism, homophobia –
I’m saying I support a culture
of colour, of food that puts water in your mouth;
unconditional love and family support
fashion that changes year after year
lasting things that’ll endure for years to come
not something that’s short-lived
and yes, fifty, hundred years is short
against a backdrop of millennia
and ever changing history
so yes I’m patriotic, yes I’m nationalist
in the ‘rang de basanti’ way
when you realize you love your country
not because you endorse the grey
but in hope that colour will return again
This poem was performed for JHR’s Speak Out! segment on CKCU.