I would like to further comment on the June 12 letter to the editor “Much ado about Newfie.”
The author brings to the fore the debate being “much ado about nothing.”
In a sense true, like something to address when one has nothing to do but find fault or complain about something. I would like to add my two cents, (if you can find a cent these days!)
There is so much changing these days it is incredible — some for the good and some not so good. Some we can understand and some we find difficulty trying to understand.
I am a Come From Away (a CFA). I could look at that description as merely an adjective or identification or as a racial slur, and all of them would be correct depending on the context and tone in which it is used.
Is Newf or Newfie any different than any other shortened form of name (or nickname)? If you were in a combat zone and the cry went out “The Canucks are here” in jubilation would the Canadians be offended?
I have lived here over 50 years and I look upon the term “Newf” or “Newfie” or even a Newfoundland “joke” with pride and as a recognition of a humble and a very hard working and determined people. A group of people that are unique in the world today.
Nothing, nothing illustrates this more than the success and the accolades for “Come From Away” and what the people of Gander (and other areas of the province) did spontaneously.
I think too many Newfoundlanders misunderstand the use of the term and should look more at the term as a unique identifier.
No other group of people in the world can use that term as an identifier. In my humble opinion the term is a part of the Newfoundland culture and should be considered a term that is “worn with pride.”
From the great wars to Afghanistan, on many battlefields, Newfoundlanders fought and died and were referred to as “Newfies” affectionately and with recognition of their courage and bravery.
In the unforgiving North Atlantic, from the huge ferries like the Leif Erickson, the oil platform like the Ocean Ranger, to the helicopters, to the small fishing boats, their courage and their blood has stained the waters. They, again, have given it all.
So if I am called a CFA or even a Yank, should I be offended? Is it any different than Brit, Aussie, Canuck, or Jim for James, Bob for Robert or Dot for Dorothy?
All those nicknames are shared by many people as well as many more nicknames for other names … but Newf or Newfie can only identify one group of people or persons. And they damn well are recognized around the world as being hard working, courageous and yet very humble and hospitable.
If you look at people with these traits, most if not all of them have been molded into these through hardship. If you want to learn what makes a Newfoundlander a Newf or a Newfie just take the time to read, “Sposin’ I Dies in D’ Dory,” by Victor Butler. The tittle alone describes the culture of the people if you can read this book without weeping or having a heavy heart there is something wrong with your sensibilities.
I believe the “Newfie Joke” came about because of the extreme hardship shared by many of the people of the province from the aboriginal to present day people worrying about the financial strains and the present and pending impact that strain will bring. Hardship is the common thread that has woven the unique characteristics of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
I have lived here for over 50 years. I have dual citizenship and can live anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. Our three children also had to leave and live on the mainland for opportunity. They want us to move up there, but we love the rock and especially the people.
From compassion and hospitality to our social life and values.
A Newf or Newfie while some may not understand and think it is derogatory to many others around the world the term is one of recognition and respect. The same with the Newfie Joke. It came about because, I believe it, was a natural coping mechanism in that through the hardship we learned to “laugh at ourselves” and face the barren land and trod on which made us better and stronger but not arrogant or obnoxious.
Think about it. Think about the history and all those that shed their blood and gave their lives and only one term, only one in the world can describe those people.
Yes, I am a Yank and a “Come from Away,” I am also a recognized Vietnam War veteran having served during that period in Argentia, where I was greeted not by bullets in a jungle far away but by open arms and a loving and caring people in all the surrounding communities.
And I am also proud to be a CFA because I know Christ was born in Bethlehem but he became known as Jesus of “Nazareth.” So I S’pose he, too, was a CFA.
With love and affection for the rock we all share and call home, a wannabe Newf or Newfie.
Richard A. Mease
C.B.S
