The Spot

Have you ever noticed that being a Cape Bretoner is like being royalty? You have to be born into it. If you're lucky enough to be born into it, you enjoy a privileged position for the rest of your life.
Now, I'm a half-and-halfer. But even though I'm not a pureblood I still get to reap some of the benefits of being from the island. Everyone knows where I'm from, and most are slightly jealous. Everywhere else in Canada seems culturally flat in comparison. Cape Breton is geographically small, but its representation in the national consciousness is large. I can't go a month without hearing about a special featuring such-and-such Cape Breton artist. Right now I'm listening to a CBC radio show taped in Mabou. Mabou! Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
I guess if I had to draw an analogy, Cape Breton is to Canada what Seattle is to the US grunge scene: a hugely important contributor to cultural life.
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Graphics and design by Ann Stretton ©2001