Culture Clash

The attempt to maintain Portuguese language and culture alive in a foreign country is a herculean task.  Fewer Portuguese are emigrating these days, especially across the Atlantic, and as a result, over the last few decades those who have set roots in countries like Canada, (particularly the young), have blended into the crowd, and slowly become a member of a new culture.  

The fabric of this new culture embodies the Portuguese, but unavoidably, dilutes itself with the new life, country and local customs.  Naturally, most immigrant adults try to learn the English language and the Canadian ways, and most are successful.  In doing this they become altered, due to their new life.  The Portuguese part will always be there, just a bit farther in the back of your mind.  The youngsters are sponges, as we all know.  They quickly adapt to their surroundings and can pick up the language within months.  Those children that went over with their parents may have a few memories of where they came from, especially early on, but it doesn’t take long for them to be as Canadian as any child born there.  It’s up to parents to find the time to school their children on their heritage, something that often gets set aside due to life’s daily tasks.  Another obstacle is the young person’s attention span, when it comes to anything that doesn’t interest them.  Also, most of their day is spent with school mates from all corners, making anyone’s particular culture less important than the one they are cultivating together.  Having said that, the festivities and other cultural events are definitely the last bastion of hope in the effort to keep our heritage in the forefront, if only for that particular day or weekend.  Without these timely ‘reminders’ our culture won’t stand a chance.  Without those celebrations of our Portuguese culture, the memories will practically disappear.  Why wouldn’t they?  We’re Canadians.  It’s impossible to avoid.  Anyone who’s been an immigrant, must find this all pretty obvious, but take it as a reminder.  

We all need to be reminded, forewarned.  To many it may not seem important, but it may be so in the future.  The vast majority of cultures today are in themselves blends of many others.  The term Portuguese Canadian, is headed toward becoming irrelevant.  With the little emigration there is from here to there, eventually the vast majority of ‘Portuguese Canadians’ will consist of people born in Canada.  How long will it make sense calling them that?  Of course there will be diehards that will keep things alive, but I fear those pockets will be few and far between.  Hopefully they will be able to keep the candle lit for decades to come.  But it’s reality, it’s difficult to be laying on one team while simultaneously carry the flag of another.  It’s not even sad, just logical, natural.  

What I hope is that people will keep supporting the events, because we can always learn something when we participate and enjoy.  To top it all off, there is always the best to eat and drink, and with a little luck, some beautiful music.

Fiquem bem,

Raul Freitas/MS