Lately, some Canadian towns have been voting to remove the U.S. flag from hockey arenas, supposedly to make some kind of “statement.” But let’s take a step back and ask:

What kind of message are we sending to our kids?

We tell them to be fair, respectful, and good sports, yet we’re the ones acting small, bitter, and petty. We’re literally teaching them:

🔹 “Respect is conditional” – We’ll respect a flag only if it suits our mood today. Otherwise, it’s disposable.
🔹 “Sportsmanship is secondary to politics” – Hockey is supposed to bring people together, but now we’re using it as a battlefield for performative outrage.
🔹 “Contradictions are fine if they fit your narrative” – We’ll take down U.S. flags in protest, but we’ll still watch the NFL every Sunday, shop at U.S. stores, and stream U.S. media without a second thought.

What Happens When Kids Start Asking Questions?

How do we explain to them that we took down the U.S. flag out of spite, while American arenas still fly the Canadian flag out of respect?
How do we tell them that sports should be about unity, while we’re busy tearing down symbols of respect?
How do we justify being outraged at U.S. policies, but still consuming U.S. entertainment, sports, and products daily?

The Bottom Line?

This isn’t about patriotism or making a real change—this is about cheap, performative gestures that do nothing but breed division, hypocrisy, and childish tribalism.

If we really want our kids to grow up in a world where respect matters, sportsmanship is valued, and critical thinking still exists, then maybe we should start acting like the adults we expect them to become.

Otherwise, we’re just raising the next generation to believe that respect is just another tool for outrage. And that’s not something I’m okay with.

What do you think? Does this kind of behavior make Canada stronger, or just smaller?