Interesting take on Tartan Day

[BEEDEE]

America is still quite a young nation. We are a true "melting pot" of all the cultures of the various peoples that came here to seek their fortunes.
How wonderful it is to live someplace where we can celebrate all these different cultures and their influences. If others find this amusing and laugh, well perhaps we should be as Dickens once wrote:

"...wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter at the onset"

And like Scrooge we should "let them laugh, and little heed them".

Cheers

Jamie

Jamie - great point. As an immigrant myself from a country only settled in the late 1800's I am acutely aware of my heritage and ancestry because for now that defines me in this polyglot nation. Perhaps in several hundred years my future descendants will think and feel different.

The original inhabitants of Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales have been there for far longer than of any us other than the Native Americans. Their culture, identity and families are rooted in that much longer history. But if there was not a culture and identity to celebrate, then why plan "The Gathering" for next year?

Brian

[Galician]

...if there was not a culture and identity to celebrate, then why plan "The Gathering" for next year? Brian

Tourist dollars?

[J.B. Simpson]

Well according to that article I need to hang up my kilt and burn my bagpipe music. 107 years in this country have eradicated any connection to Scotland I guess. I wonder if it would be more acceptable if we called it Britain Day instead of Tartan Day? There seems to be a bit of anger towards Tartan in the article, as well as several comments made about the article.

[highlander_Daz]

In a world of choice, the writer chooses to "be" English as is his right, some of the comments about the tat shops are right on target, if he chooses not to be "scottish" despite his father its his choice,
some of the comments demonstrate breathtakeing ignorance though.

[Mael Coluim]

I read the article and the replies. Strikes me they are just jealous!

[beloitpiper]

Haha, complaining that we are "stealing" Scottish culture is stupid. Where did rock 'n' roll come from? Blue jeans? Hamburgers? Cultures will flow with the demand. Just like British Rock vs. American Rock, so too is Scottish and Scottish-American culture different.

If he doesn't like us "stealing" Scottish culture, then I'm sure he'd be more than happy to give up that which he "steals" from us.

[ronstew]

The article is a crock, and bordering on insulting.

The basis of his argument is rot: I have never known a Canadian who claimed to be English. Lots will say that their great-grandparents came from England, but none lay claim to being English. Who did the author meet here that did that?

Likewise, I do not claim to be Scottish, but I do claim the ancestry and heritage. And on occassion, I choose to flaunt it.

Ah well, he got a rise out of me, so I suppose he was successful in whatever he was trying to do.

[Vafuth]

Haha, complaining that we are "stealing" Scottish culture is stupid. Where did rock 'n' roll come from? Blue jeans? Hamburgers? Cultures will flow with the demand. Just like British Rock vs. American Rock, so too is Scottish and Scottish-American culture different.

If he doesn't like us "stealing" Scottish culture, then I'm sure he'd be more than happy to give up that which he "steals" from us.

I agree...almost completely....I do make one distinction...

that is I am an American of Scottish descent...no matter my heritage and bloodline I am an American first and it is to this country I hold my loyalty (in spite of my personal opinions about our leaders abilities).

And if I choose to honor my ancestry from Scotland by wearing a kilt or my Nordic heritage by my choice in faith, who is a Scotsman or Nordic man to say I'm wrong to do so.

[sharpdressedscot]

You know, why does it matter to them? Why do they care so much? This is a petty thing. I for one am proud of my heritage and I don't need anyone else to tell me if I should celebrate it or not.

[Nick the DSM]

I can celebrate any of my heritages whenever and where i want. the people in the isles can join in as well but most choose not to, i'm guessing from the article.