Elbows up: New book throws a middle finger at Donald Trump’s 51st State rhetoric

Are you tired of Donald Trump’s 51st State rhetoric?

You’re not alone. Canada Is Not The 51st F–ing State:  Canadians Face Off Against Donald Trump’s Worst Idea Ever is a new collection of essays, interviews, and artwork from a diverse group of contributors. It is published by Cosmic Cranium Press.

“We got a great cross section of people,” said editor and publisher John Hughes.

“We have a doctor; we have an Indigenous artist. We have a schoolteacher. We have a retired soldier, all who are interested in maintaining our sovereignty. And they tell the story from their perspective about Canada’s worthiness and about how we need to maintain that 49th parallel and to guard it with all we’re worth.”

Hughes says there is a common thread among all the pieces.

“There’s fear, but there’s also a willingness to be steadfast in guarding these pieces of Canada and Canada as a whole, but identifying portions of it that are specifically worth holding on to well, while also showing that, hey, we’re not perfect and we’ve got a lot of work to do. But that work is our business and that comes up a fair bit as well,” he said.

Hughes hopes it inspires readers to defend what it means to be Canadian.

“This is a permanent set of damages which have been done, and there’s no going back at this point. Sure, we can make nice to a degree. But in terms of letting our guard down, I think that that ship has sailed.”

A launch event for Canada Is Not The 51st F–ing State happens Saturday Oct. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Groove Cat Books and Music in New Westminster.