--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With or without the Royals, we are not…" description: "\"With or without the Royals, we are not Americans. Nor are we British. Or French. Or Void. We are something else. And the sooner we define this, the bet..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/224/will-ferguson-22541_americans_with-or-without-the-royals-we-are-not-am_2318313.jpg" --- # With or without the Royals, we are not Americans. Nor are… ![“With or without the Royals, we are not Americans. Nor are we British. Or French. Or Void. We are something else. And the sooner we define this, the better.” quote by Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/224/will-ferguson-22541_americans_with-or-without-the-royals-we-are-not-am_2318313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/224/will-ferguson-22541_americans_with-or-without-the-royals-we-are-not-am_2318313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/224/will-ferguson-22541_americans_with-or-without-the-royals-we-are-not-am_2318313.jpg) > “With or without the Royals, we are not Americans. Nor are we British. Or French. Or Void. We are something else. And the sooner we define this, the better.” [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote asserts that national identity transcends traditional monarchic or colonial labels, urging a self‑defined identity. **In simple terms:** We are not defined by old nations; we must define ourselves. Key Takeaway Define your unique identity. Themes identity nationalism self‑definition Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political discourse - personal reflection - community building Key Concepts cultural theory post‑colonialism Questions to Reflect On - What does being “something else” mean to you? - How can we foster a shared identity beyond borders? A Different Perspective National labels can be limiting and divisive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) [Americans British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-british-1866311/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Canada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada/) [Canada being great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada-being-great/) [Canada day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada-day/) [Canada funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/canada-funny/) [Happy canada day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-canada-day/) [Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royal/) [Royals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royals/) [Royals Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/royals-americans-5532576/) [Void](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/void/) ## Related quotes > [Canada is a country whose main exports are hockey players and cold fronts. Our main imports are baseball players and acid rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-trudeau/canada-is-a-country-whose-main-exports-are-hockey-players-and-cold/) [Pierre Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-trudeau/) > [The huge advantage of Canada is its backwardness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/the-huge-advantage-of-canada-is-its-backwardness/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [Canada is a place of infinite promise. We like the people, and if one ever had to emigrate, this would be the destination, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/canada-is-a-place-of-infinite-promise-we-like-the-people-and-if-one/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [I am so excited about Canadians ruling the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-diefenbaker/i-am-so-excited-about-canadians-ruling-the-world/) [John Diefenbaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-diefenbaker/) > [Canadians are the people who learned to live without the bold accents of the natural ego-trippers of other lands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/canadians-are-the-people-who-learned-to-live-without-the-bold-accents/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [There are no limits to the majestic future which lies before the mighty expanse of Canada with its virile, aspiring, cultured, and generous-hearted people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-are-no-limits-to-the-majestic-future-which-lies-before-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Canada is the linchpin of the English-speakin g world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/canada-is-the-linchpin-of-the-english-speakin-g-world/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [A Canadian is somebody who knows how to make love in a canoe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-berton/a-canadian-is-somebody-who-knows-how-to-make-love-in-a-canoe/) [Pierre Berton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-berton/) > [Canadians have an abiding interest in surprising those Americans who have historically made little effort to learn about their neighbour to the North.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jennings/canadians-have-an-abiding-interest-in-surprising-those-americans-who/) [Peter Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jennings/) > [The US is our trading partner, our neighbour, our ally and our friend... and sometimes we'd like to give them such a smack!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-mercer/the-us-is-our-trading-partner-our-neighbour-our-ally-and-our-friend/) [Rick Mercer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-mercer/) > [We'll explain the appeal of curling to you if you explain the appeal of the National Rifle Association to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-barrie/we-ll-explain-the-appeal-of-curling-to-you-if-you-explain-the-appeal/) [Andy Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-barrie/) > [The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-callwood/the-beaver-which-has-come-to-represent-canada-as-the-eagle-does-the/) [June Callwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-callwood/) > [I read and learned and fretted more about Canada after I left than I ever did while I was home. I absorbed anything I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/i-read-and-learned-and-fretted-more-about-canada-after-i-left-than-i/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [We have it all. We have great diversity of people, we have a wonderful land, and we have great possibilities. So all those things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-rae/we-have-it-all-we-have-great-diversity-of-people-we-have-a-wonderful/) [Bob Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-rae/) > [There are few, if any, Canadian men that have never spelled their name in a snow bank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/there-are-few-if-any-canadian-men-that-have-never-spelled-their-name/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) ## More by Will Ferguson > [“There, stacked high on his desk, was a tower of paper. Thick slabs of manuscript. Slush. Unsolicited, unagented, unloved. This was where dreams came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/there-stacked-high-on-his-desk-was-a-tower-of-paper-thick-slabs-of/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“...the most important aspects of someone’s life are the very things not listed in an index.' There were never entries for “memory,” or 'regrets,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/the-most-important-aspects-of-someone-s-life-are-the-very-things-not/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [You ever want to negotiate a hostage situation in Quebec, I'm your man. Send me in for a little parley and the francophone miscreants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/you-ever-want-to-negotiate-a-hostage-situation-in-quebec-i-m-your-man/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“other things.” He filled her cup. “Jasmine,” he said. “Tastes”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/other-things-he-filled-her-cup-jasmine-he-said-tastes/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“Despair comes slowly, crawling its way up inside you until it threatens to overwhelm everything; it buckles the knees, makes you falter, makes you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/despair-comes-slowly-crawling-its-way-up-inside-you-until-it/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“We have inherited an easy life in Canada. A life of calm. It is freedom of a lazy sort, a freedom so pervasive we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/we-have-inherited-an-easy-life-in-canada-a-life-of-calm-it-is-freedom/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [Hellraisers destroy only themselves, and they do it because they love life too much to fall asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/hellraisers-destroy-only-themselves-and-they-do-it-because-they-love/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“...when you are constantly prevailing upon the kindness of strangers-as a hitchhiker must-it keeps you in a positive frame of mind. Call it Zen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/when-you-are-constantly-prevailing-upon-the-kindness-of-strangers-as/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“The two most important phrases in the human language are "If only" and "Maybe someday". Our past mistakes and our unrequited longings. The things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/the-two-most-important-phrases-in-the-human-language-are-if-only-and/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [I read and learned and fretted more about Canada after I left than I ever did while I was home. I absorbed anything I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/i-read-and-learned-and-fretted-more-about-canada-after-i-left-than-i/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“Storms without rain. Winds without water. She woke, and when she sat up, the dust fountained off her and the voice that accompanied her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/storms-without-rain-winds-without-water-she-woke-and-when-she-sat-up/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“More polar bears live in Canada than in the rest of the world combined, which raises the question, Why the hell did we choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/more-polar-bears-live-in-canada-than-in-the-rest-of-the-world/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“Fear of death and the desire to live on, somehow, if only through our children. Or our grandchildren. Quixotic quest for immortality. It's sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/fear-of-death-and-the-desire-to-live-on-somehow-if-only-through-our/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [“As a parent, my fear is that when we die, we'll have to watch all those moments in our lives when we were short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/as-a-parent-my-fear-is-that-when-we-die-we-ll-have-to-watch-all-those/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) > [Many Canadian nationalists harbour the bizarre fear that should we ever reject royalty, we would instantly mutate into Americans, as though the Canadian sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferguson/many-canadian-nationalists-harbour-the-bizarre-fear-that-should-we/) [Will Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) [Explore all 26 Will Ferguson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferguson/) ## More Americans quotes > [“People – Americans, mostly – realise how attached they are to material comforts when they arrive in India.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-william-roberts/people-americans-mostly-realise-how-attached-they-are-to-material/) [Paul William Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-william-roberts/) > [Music has an intrinsic value that touches Americans - they love their music, and want more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-rosen/music-has-an-intrinsic-value-that-touches-americans-they-love-their/) [Hilary Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-rosen/) > [Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/americans-are-very-friendly-and-very-suspicious-that-is-what/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [Just because the Americans are so good at rattling out accessible and cheap junk food, nobody looks twice when it comes to their food.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-oliver/just-because-the-americans-are-so-good-at-rattling-out-accessible-and/) [Jamie Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-oliver/) > [My parents don't care what Americans think of us; we just care what the other Indian people in our community think of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himanshu-suri/my-parents-don-t-care-what-americans-think-of-us-we-just-care-what/) [Himanshu Suri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himanshu-suri/) > [When Americans, who have no idea who I am, laugh at my jokes, it's exactly the same if someone loves you even if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gad-elmaleh/when-americans-who-have-no-idea-who-i-am-laugh-at-my-jokes-it-s/) [Gad Elmaleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gad-elmaleh/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We Americans tend to be a prodigal lot. We are as careless with our personal resources as we are with the resources of nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-crook-de-camp/we-americans-tend-to-be-a-prodigal-lot-we-are-as-careless-with-our/) [Catherine Crook de Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-crook-de-camp/) > [Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-it-doesn-t-block-traffic/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [Most Americans believe in fairness; we believe that people should work hard but there should be a safety net. We believe in saving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/most-americans-believe-in-fairness-we-believe-that-people-should-work/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [“Using a wide variety of media, we could demonstrate for our fellow Americans their anxieties, desires, insufficiencies, and frustrations--and how to assuage them all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-ferris/using-a-wide-variety-of-media-we-could-demonstrate-for-our-fellow/) [Joshua Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-ferris/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [So many Korean Americans like me came to this country with the hope of achieving their own American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/so-many-korean-americans-like-me-came-to-this-country-with-the-hope/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [You are Americans. You love this country. Together we are entrusted with the principles that represent mankind's greatest political and social achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tsongas/you-are-americans-you-love-this-country-together-we-are-entrusted/) [Paul Tsongas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tsongas/) [Browse all 1,536 Americans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With or without the Royals, we are not Americans. Nor are we British. Or French. Or Void. We are something else. 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