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Tamar Maya Sharabi
Joined: Oct 2, 2006
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Who we are, or... who are we?
November 2, 2006 - 07:42 PM
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Does our nationality define us?
I have problems indicating what my nationality is. I know sometimes it helps classify us into groups, but at the same time I feel conflicted being categorized into a group that may not represent all of who I am.
Does anyone else feel this way?
I want to be connected to all groups. I want to identify in groups that I am not neccessarily apart of. I want to understand those who are different than me and realize how similar we are. We should celebrate our different cultures and realize what great things we could all learn from one another.
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e.sum
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 2, 2006 - 10:24 PM
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I think you raise a good point that while such classifiers like nationality (or gender, social class etc) help people formulate their identities, they can also become restrictive or reductive.
I think the problem is when people take certain classifiers and the associations with them for granted. In other words, stereotyping others and believing that the stereotypes are natural and unchanging when in reality, they have been constructed, often for political reasons.
Another problem is that people who do not neatly fit any of the categories, often experience internal conflict. Such people might be:
- intergendered persons (those born w/ambiguous genitals)
- interracial persons
- 2nd generation persons (children of immigrants)
- bisexuals (often shunned and misunderstood by both the straight and gay community)
etc.
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That guy
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 3, 2006 - 11:50 AM
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Hey, I don't even know all my nationalities for sure: I live in the U.S., my dad was Dutch mixed with Scottish, my mom was definitely part Cherokee with elements of French, and I have relatives in Sweden, Jamaica, Germany, and Australia. I say I am mostly caucasian when they give me one of those silly questionaires, but that's about as deep as my cultural identity goes. However, I am nobody's stereotype. I mix and match: read some cherokee myths, drink German beer, celebrate Christmas and/or winter solstice (my stepmom is an avid Wiccan preistess), just do what I feel appropriate.
Perhaps I'm a freak, but I do not feel an overwhelming urge to identify with any single nation or culture.
This post was edited on: 2006-11-03 at 11:51 AM by: wvanbokk
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Owulezi
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 3, 2006 - 12:57 PM
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I do not count on my nationality capablity,but I should make myself avaliable to learn and fall-in anywhere I need or I can give assistant.
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Guillermo
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 3, 2006 - 11:14 PM
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Very good question. I think the answer differs from person to person. Some may feel very bounded to their country, nationality(written in their passport), culture, religion or social status. I do understand them, because they probably are so insecure about their position or status in this world, they absolutely need a haven that is always there for them to grant them safety etc..
And ofcourse there is that thing called: "They don't trust what they can't explain". ....Most of the time if one can't explain something, it is very hard for him to trust unconditionally.
Fortunately you have those who do think out of the box and allow themselves to experience "the other thing".
I am glad to be part of that group. I don't like traditions, I am very liberal and open-minded and always wondering about "the new". That's why I call myself a "General World Citizen"
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Cherrie
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 4, 2006 - 02:33 AM
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juvenilesr wrote:
...because they probably are so insecure about their position or status in this world, they absolutely need a haven that is always there for them to grant them safety etc...
I don't think that a strong pride in your own nationality or culture has to do with a need for 'safety' whether it be internal or physical safety.
I think an identification with your community is more important. Your communities may happen to include people of your culture or nationality, perhaps even exclusively (by chance or situation). But this identity can help cultivate a sense of pride and respect that will allow you to be a more cooperative and productive member of that community.
Also, communities do not have to be physical locations, they could be an online community, a volunteering club, your school, your family and relatives... etc.
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Khalid
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 4, 2006 - 02:52 AM
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Tamar43 wrote:
Does our nationality define us?
I have problems indicating what my nationality is. I know sometimes it helps classify us into groups, but at the same time I feel conflicted being categorized into a group that may not represent all of who I am.
.
dear.
i feel the same sometime when i want to make someone understand and he doesnt. but this give me a sense of pride and joy when after alot of efforts i make him understand.
according to my religion (Islam), we are categorized into different tribes and casts merely for our help to recognize. and our prophet (Mohammad) said that some people will have qualities better than some others, so talk to those who do not know according to his level.
so no problem if I am afghan and u r Canadian or american. be good for others. u will find your innerself happy
so enjoy
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Rajesh
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 4, 2006 - 01:06 PM
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If you want to limit you wihtin certain geographical boundry or some such groups then definitely it is a political issue. But beyond that politics, it is humanity. If we start to think as a humankind, then I guess there are no obstacles to connect everywhere..
This post was edited on: 2006-11-04 at 01:07 PM by: rjerung
This post was edited on: 2006-11-04 at 05:00 PM by: rjerung
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rina
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 8, 2006 - 08:28 PM
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We are all human beings and we have all the same worries and we have all the same problems.
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Anu maheshwari
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 10, 2006 - 01:53 AM
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rina1230 wrote:
We are all human beings and we have all the same worries and we have all the same problems.
Yes , essentially we are all humans by the virtue of being born as human. By birth and conditioning we all acquire the same characteristic and essential emotions. If this fact is internalised and understood in the right sense, all the tension in the world would dissolve !
But power politics , and hegemony ( esp .control of culture ) etc, has essentialised certain norms that define and catergorise our conduct and emotions.
Here the very' sameness' is given as an excuse to exclude those who deviate from the norm.
check out this interesting approach called "systems thinking"
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Suheily Flores
Joined: Nov 15, 2006
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Re: Who we are, or... who are we?
November 15, 2006 - 12:15 PM
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I find most of the responses quite intresting. I would have to say that a nationality should not be used to define yourself.
Defining ourselves should determine on many factors and not just our nationality.
Expirences in our personal lives shape who we are.
Our family make up shapes who we are.
Our personal beliefs makes us indenpendent from everyone else within a nationality.
As an individual who thinks that nationality can not and must not determine who we are as an individual I would have to say that I have a hard time with people who believe that the only things that defines us is nationality. Lastly natonality only makes us unique when we truley know who we are.
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