Nationalism

I suppose I am in the right place, Belfast, to talk about nationalism and why I detest it so much. Clearly I know we all desire and probably need some sense of identity and belonging, but this so often is enlarged and perverted to a definition of boundaries and a consequent exclusion to all those not of your "type." Of course "type" definitions can mean all sorts of classifications, from class, colour, religion, to more ethereal categories such as lifestyle, expectations, outlook, sexual orientation, background. But my more immediate distaste is with this dreadful division of people into national identities and hence mobs of prejudice and aggression. In some respects just as raw and stupid as rivalries between supporters of football teams. Right now we have the Scots, or at least Alec Salmond, wanting independence for Scotland from the UK, Cornwall romanticizes about it on occasion, but we also have the dreadful lessons over Northern Ireland, part of the population wanting unification with the south, another wanting to be held close to the bosom of the UK and many just wanting to get on with their lives. Belfast being Belfast it is spoken with flags on almost every lamppost in the more entrenched areas, parades, bonfires, religions and reference to way too much history of conflict. Even if you sit down with the quiet ones here there is barely concealed resentment arising from the troubles and before.

In many ways these stresses are no different to what we see in the alleged British resentment of being part of Europe and supposedly controlled and limited by Europe. An association of people is a very desirable entity when it is designed and intended to foster cooperation between people for the greater good. So why, as most of us want to live good fulfilling lives, do we not get on with the cooperation and understanding part of the concept and do our best to eliminate the suspicions and prejudices of nationalism, and the desire to prove we are better, brighter, more entitled than that other group over there.