Re: CHAT: Personal Identity (was Re: meeting of minds)

Tom Wier wrote:


Thanks for the kind words, Tom!

>>Kristian Jensen wrote:
-----<snip>-----

>>  But I'd really like to belong somewhere. I
>> envy people who can say with certainty, "I'm Danish" or "I'm
>> Filipino" or "I'm American" - I simply can't say this.
>
>I think when you talk about "American" culture you seem to think
>that it is one homogenous culture -- this is by no means true.
I didn't mean to miscommunicate. I was refering to _identity_ not
culture. I'm well aware of the multiculturalism that exists in
N.America. But I'm sure Americans can identify themselves as being
American - being part of the society that makes up America.
Embracing American democracy and all that. As I understand it, that
is what being American is all about too. I think you even implied
this. I, on the other hand, can't identify myself as part of any
specific society.

-----<snip>-----

>So, what is my answer suggestion to you about your identity crisis?
>You can be all these things, much as Americans do (though this does
>not imply becoming American) -- you need not choose between your
>heritages; why not embrace them both?

I do! I do embrace both! But that doesn't make me a part of either
the Filipino or Danish societies. Like I said, I have no sense of
national patriotism. If Denmark was invaded today, I would ignore my
military/civil obligations as a Danish citizen and flee to some
other place. The same would be true for the Philippines. I'm not
going to risk my life to defend democracy in a country that I do not
feel a part of. Americans, on the other hand, I'm sure, despite the
numerous cultural backgrounds, would be loyal to the US if the US
was invaded by Boreanesians. They would fight to preserve American
democracy - afterall that's what most (if not all) Americans
identify with: democracy, freedom, liberty. You can talk about the
American involvement in places like Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf -
attempting to defend democracy in these places. But when it really
comes down to it, I don't think the American soldiers involved in
these places really (I mean TRULY, with all their hearts) want to
risk their own lives to defend democracy outside their own country.
That is basically my situation except that wherever I go I'd be
outside of "my country". My loyalty to any single nation simply does
not exist. Sounds selfish, I know, but hey... can't help it.


Just note that if Earth was invaded by rikchik aliens from
outerspace, then I'd defend the planet and humanity with all my
might despite the all the differences humans have had in the past.

Regards,
-Kristian- 8-)