Another kind of identity

[Guest Edu]

I have been wanting to post this for a while, but hesitated. I was trying to wait and see if the situation changes, but it keeps going downhill.

I don't know how much about this topic may have been heard outside Spain, so I'll assume nothing. It really started long ago: since Spain was formed, in the late XV century, there's been a constant push & tow between centralism (the idea that the entire Spanish territory should be homogenized under the Castilian language, culture, and traditions) and pluralism (embracing each language, culture, and traditions of the different regions of Spain).

Over the last few years, the central Spanish government has been pushing things a bit too far. Even before they were in office, that party had been using every legal (and some illegal) means at their disposal to attack, repress, and extinguish Catalan language, culture, and traditions. Or, in other terms, Catalan identity.

Of course, the Catalan people didn't just watch it happen, and have been using every non-violent means at their disposal (political statements by regional parties, street demonstrations, many online movements, and so on) to defend our identity in all its manifestations. Needless to say, a lot of tension is building up.

At the beginning I didn't know why this issue was bothering this so much. I've never been an "independentist" (unlike many of my friends), and in fact I'm somewhat proud of my Castilian heritage. Although I'm all in for decentralized administration (I think it can be made much more effective), I'd gladly keep close ties with the surrounding cultures. Some see regional identities as some kind of threat against a "Spanish identity", while I think the greatest wealth of Spain is the diversity of cultures and traditions, and the trademark of a "Spanish identity" is a unique mixture of identities. I, for example, am mostly Catalan, but also somewhat Castilian. And under other circumstances, I wouldn't mind describing myself as Spaniard.

But all those bigots want to impose a concept of "Spaniard identity" that excludes any additional identification. And that's where I have a problem. You see: although national identity isn't the same as gender identity, they are both part of who I am, they are both important. I think people on this site will be able to understand that better than average.

After this whole rant, I hope you can understand why seeing the Spanish flag near every one of my posts has been bugging me for a while. Having it there is like dismissing my own Catalan (and even Castilian) identity. Of course, I understand the technical limitations of the site: the "Country" field on profiles is mandatory, the flags are automatically displayed based on it, and I don't expect admins to go all the trouble to make an exception just for me. Instead, I've found a compromise solution.

As far as history and culture are regarded, Andorra and Catalunya have always been closely related. On top of that, Andorra's official language is Catalan. It's also reasonably close, within the same timezone, and also within the European Union, so even in terms of politics is "close enough". Although I have no plans to actually move there, I'm switching that flag on my profile to Andorra's. To compensate for the slight geographical inaccuracy, I'm also updating my "Location" field (which used to state "Here and now") to state the city and region I'm in (that's far more precisse than just having a Spanish flag in there).

I hope this little "lie" doesn't go against the site's rules.

[Ravin]

I don't think it will be a site rule problem. The defaults are U.S.-centrically biased to begin with; we have our state flags flying by default, which for many means much less. I live in Arizona, but grew up in Idaho and Texas and my parents are from California. Their parents were from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Spain, and Portugal.

I'm pretty well versed in international human rights issues, especially with respect to minorities, and am familiar with the history and multicultural contemporary tensions of Spain. I've never understood why people think other peoples' identities can't be respected while claiming their own. That's true of gender, nationality, religion, race, sexual orientation, and any other part of individual or group identity.

[Guest Edu]

I don't think it will be a site rule problem.

Thanks, that's good to know.

I must say that this paragraph from the T&C had me a little worried:

After you register and login to this forum, you will be able to fill out a detailed profile. It is your responsibility to present clean and accurate information. Any information the forum owner or staff determines to be inaccurate or vulgar in nature will be removed, with or without prior notice. Appropriate sanctions may be applicable.

But I hope updating my location field was enough to compensate for the slight inaccuracy on the flag. And now that I look at the flag again, I even like its colors If only the red band was pink, it'd become the pansexual pride flag. Maybe I'll end up moving to Andorra after all (just kidding)

[Charlize]

I think your flag looks beautiful. Close to the blue, white and red of France but distinct as well. I'm happy to see my New Jersey flag as well as the US flag. Our cultures are not as old as yours but regions here are also distinct and proud of their regions. Hopefully that pride will never cause another conflict. Pride and being different does not require violence but has led there in the past.

Hugs,

Charlize

[tracy_j]

It's a good number of years now, but I do remember when I was on holiday in Majorca that locally there were issues with respect to the central government.

I think it good to keep local culture alive although I think, as is the case here, it can get a little warped as certain aspects are probably preserved better than others.

Tracy