I have steadily noticed the decline in participation and in audience lately of the last few Oxi Day Greek Parades on the Danforth in Toronto and have come to the conclusion that although we fully applaud the March 25th Independence Day celebrations we seem to be becoming more and more ashamed of our Oxi Day celebrations as a whole. Not only have the numbers of participants in this parade have been dwindling in the last two to three years, people have not been showing up to line the streets of the Danforth waiving the Greek flag and applauding the marchers as they have done in past years, regardless that the weather has been beautiful for the last four years of this parade. There is also talk that the Greek Community of Metro Toronto will debate whether it should stop hosting the event for good. After all, isn't one parade a year enough for us Greek-Torontonians?
I am curious to see what other Greek Communities in other North American cities feel about this subject in particular. The reason why we have a parade to commemorate the Oxi stance against Mussalini and Hitler thus marking Greece's entrance into World War II, and thus halting Hitler's plans to invade Russian whereby his troops were caught in the bitter cold Russian winter without supplies, thus marking a great shift in favour of the Allies and thus perhaps leading to the victory of Allied Invasions. So, if this is an event to be proud of for all Greeks, why is the attendance dwindling? Is it only in Toronto that this is occurring or has it been felt accross North America and the Greek diaspora communities? We have a lot to be proud of our contribution in World War II and our courage to choose freedom - give me liberty or give me death - thanatos i eleftheria! So, why are we not bothering to show up any more? Is it politically incorrect to do so?
It has been said that perhaps we should not celebrate Oxi Day and that perhaps to do so would be politically incorrect as we are now friends and always have been friends with our friends the Italians, and the invading forces that made up the Axis forces, our enemies then, and our friends now. After all, when Metaxa said "Oxi" he was saying no to Mussalini and Fascist Italy, not the Italy of today, surely. When Metaxa said "Oxi" he was surely resisting Hitler and Nazi Germany, and not the Germany of today (which sprang forth a great coach like Otto). We couldn't possibly be holding grudges against our friends. Then, how can we celebrate their defeat?
I am deeply saddened to see the numbers of attendance dwindle year after year and would like them to go up again. We are one of the few multicultural communities in Toronto who have two parades in a year and who love to celebrate their culture. It is important to remember World War II and the heroes who faught for our freedom, just as it is important for us to remember and celebrate the heroes of 1821. To me, they hold equal importance in Greek history, and are incredible events for Greeks. But, on the down side, it has been said lately that in order to observe political correctness, we must give up our Oxi Day parade as it may be offensive to other communities in Toronto. Well, I am sure that our March 25th Independance Day parade may also be construed as being offensive, particularly to that of the Turkish community, but so far I do not think that the Turkish community has complained about it. So, why, does it seem, must we feel compelled to hang our heads in shame, or be embarassed that we have an Oxi Day?
If this is not the case in other Greek Communities, please let me know because I think that this may be particular to the Toronto Greek Community. I am curious to hear what others have to say on this topic and whether the Communities of the Diaspora are planning on holding festivities, and what those festivities entail.
I certainly hope that we have not forgotten what Oxi Day stands for, and I hope this is not yet another sacrifice to that growing void of political correctness. Very soon, we will be afraid or ashamed to declare any feelings we have on any given subject in fear that it may somehow be construed as politically incorrect and unjustly accused of being labelled a racist. How far will this steamroller of political correctness go before it collapses all that a culture has to celebrate, all that it has to show its existence?
I can't answer that question, but for me, personally, all I can say is that I will be in attendance at the Oxi Day parade and will be proudly flying the Greek flag! Zito i Ellas!
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