Nationalism

Tribes, really. Think tribes, groups of people identified with one or a few common characteristics. Maybe it is age, or gender, elders or something else. What about the white-collar tribe, the tradesmen, union versus nonunion, Democrat, Republican, conservative or liberal? So many markers that differentiate each of us from others.

And the point of this? If it is to identify a group or market one wishes to work with, fine, but if it is about selecting who is better than another, crap on that!

Tribes are people of similarity. Tribes hold fast to their identity. For what purpose is always an open question. These days, however, otherness appears to be the main thing to separate and denigrate.

At 80 years of age, I remember discrimination against women. I remember hostile discrimination against blacks, Latinos, Asians and so many more. Immigrants were a target then too, although less so than today.

Ideology is a major tribe identifier, and it amazes me how many other tribes are used to identify who is most likely to be of one ideology or another.

Separator.  Not for distinguishing, rather for denigration.

Nationalism is a major tribal cohort these days. On and off, this distinguishing feature is used to push away and discriminate. If you are not American, then you are lesser. American is used here as native born. So, nationalism is not just where one has her citizenship, it is a manner born.

Gay or straight? Rich or poor. Dumb or wise? Yes, these also are used to discriminate, to separate, to lessen. 

When will we, the American People, finally decide that we are all of us who live within our borders? That is what identifies us. We are part and parcel of each other. It is the union of all of us that defines America. Our form of governance is that as well. We have always been a nation of immigrants. Some of our families came hundreds of years ago, some just last month. When is not the issue. That we are here as one nation ought to be.

And then there is the global community. That community is defined by our inclusion as well as our national tribe identifier is. To get along in the world, we must act like people who care about each other. We respect each other and work together. We share resources to help disadvantaged nations. We do this out of humanitarian respect. It is not a manipulator. It is not political. It is not a discriminator.

Peace is a result of people living with one another for the common good. Public and social media should make this clear. But no, today’s messaging is mostly about differentness and lesser than. Sad, really. Peace does not come, will not come, if we mainly seek otherness to feel good about ourselves.

Misogyny, homophobia, ideology, nationality, and all the rest are the product of small minds. Mean minds. I think America is much more than that. I think we are all better than that.

So why don’t we work at making the good happen, not the other?

March 1, 2024

 

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