NATIONAL IDENTITY
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Transcript of NATIONAL IDENTITY
K.J. / 2
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It is interesting how something that we consider as a positive
quality, actually has little to do with anything positive.
For example, many of us are quite sure that so-called "National
Identity" is a positive thing. Most of us proudly announce their
National Identity. I was doing it too.
My recent observation tells me a different story. "National
Identity" in fact causes more problems than contributes to our
evolution. It does not allow us to see the entire beauty of other
cultures. In fact, it limits our ability to see it.
By holding to it we tend to look at other cultures not from the
viewpoint that they are different and this is what makes our world
so colourful and interesting. We look at them from the angle
which might make us think that "my culture is better and yours
is not so much" - more or less. Somehow we do not even register
that in our minds. Somehow we do not understand that in order
to appreciate other cultures this particular angle is not
appropriate whatsoever.
If we look at "National Identity" as objectively as possible, we
might be able to start getting a clue that such identity does not
allow to identify ourselves with the entire human race. Instead, it
segregates us on certain groups, whether it is nationality or race
based.
Perhaps as a result of our failure to choose the right angle and
long-standing traditions to be divided by camps, the "National
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Identity" creates a positive environment for the racism. Since we
believe that "National Identity" does not have anything to do
with negativity, it is inevitable for us to start developing a
mentality which would lead to one final thought - the group we
belong to is the best.
Our spirit of competition is an integral part of our nature. Fuelled
by the "National Identity" it drives us to a conclusion that "I/WE
are the best". Unfortunately, unlike in sport, this competition
does not produce anything but an ugly outcome.
For illustration, I would like to use the following as an example: if
I put a picture of someone from Namibia, or South Sudan next to
my picture and ask what difference between these two people do
you see? Many of us would give many reasons why these two
people on these pictures are different. The main one would be a
colour of skin.
In my mind, there is no difference between these two individuals.
We both have one head, two eyes, two ears, one nose, one
mouth, one neck, two arms and two legs. As to the skin, the shade
would be a bit different, but it would still have identical
properties that would indicate that we both are humans.
So, why are we paying attention to the different shade of the
skin? Is it because it is the most visible? Those who are in a hurry
to win "the competition", do not bother to take time and
understand that under the skin we also are the same: both have
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red blood, the same number of organs, the same number of
bones as well as bone structure, etc. Not many would want to
start thinking about it.
Perhaps one of the reasons why they would prefer not to think is
because they know it might cause some emotional discomfort
that comes with clarity which removes illusions. But the truth is
that if compared to the number of significant similarities, the
colour of skin is actually immaterial.
Our inability to look deeper is the very core of the harmful nature
that forms a foundation of the term "National Identity". Because
when we use something immaterial as the main criteria that help
to justify our difference, we will lose the focus of what is
important.
So, why do we do it? Maybe it helps to maintain our false beliefe
that we are better than the rest. It is very flattering to think that
we are the best. Who cares if it is not the case, it feels great. It
also allows us to scream patriotic slogans and feel that we are
united.
However, if we could only take time and dissect these slogans,
we would see that most of them are empty. We would also
understand that we are united into a camp which is against
another camp. It might become apparent to us that what we
thing is a spiritual uplift that is an outcome of our patriotism, in
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reality is nothing but a crowd instinct which is being fed by a
primitive hatred towards another group of human beings.
The rest begins to grow as a snowball - race, nationality, national
identity, tribal identity, West vs East, etc. It would always lead to
something not positive. It would certainly lead to a conflict one
way or another because the background theme would always be
the same - US vs THEM.
It is natural. Just like in Nature, even the biggest river on Earth
starts from very small streamlet.
We are also taught that the National Identity allows us to
maintain our culture. Therefore, it is important to have such
identity.
I have a different view. We do need to know our routes because
there is no future without knowing our past. However, I do not
have to identify myself with a certain group to appreciate my
culture. Because this very culture is my contribution to the world.
And I am a small part of this world.
How can I see the horizon when I am surrounded by a very tall
wall - National Identity. Besides, why would I lock my horizons
into geographical borders of my country? Instead, I can widen it
as the whole world can be explored. I think it is much better
option.
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The moment I started to associate myself with the entire human
race, I realised that I started to see much more positive elements
in other cultures. It helped me to learn so much more.
I also would like to highlight that "National Identity", in my
opinion, is also producing unfounded pride for the shameful past.
To illustrate, I would like to refer to the history of few countries.
I refer to the history of these countries not because it is the worst
but because it is better known by the global community.
Many British people are proud of their history. Some parts of it
deserve to be proud of, but there is a significant part that
contains overwhelming pieces of evidence of rape, robbery and
exploitation. If the UK would be a person, he or she would be in
jail by now. You can visit any British museum and you will find
evidence of countless crimes.
Or, why do we still talk about whether it was Christopher
Columbus who has discovered America? I know who discovered
it - Indians. They lived there when Columbus has arrived and
started to kill locals. So, what exactly makes people so proud of
him? Is it a sign that we silently would like to claim that those
Indians were/are not humans? Or is it a dark side of our nature
that forces us to like that.
I would think it is because in our twisted mentality we somehow
feel good about it. I would assume that in the basement of our
mind we say once upon a time my people conquered the land
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that belonged to other people and I do not mind to be associated
with them. And there are many other examples why I think that
National Identity has nothing to do with positivity.
Many of us would agree that somehow all children, regardless of
race, look adorable. I suspect it is the case due to the fact that
children, unlike adults, are free from psychological garbage.
It is true, that psychological trash is something which is very
difficult and painful to clean. But we shall try. If we succeed, this
world would indeed become a better place.