Radhakrishnan
Methinks you are confusing identity with nationality. When you refer to
"cultural affinity, which encompasses vast areas of tradition, emotional
attachment etc" you are surely referring to the attachments humans make
which determine, to a large extent, the underpinnings of identity but which
may or may not spill into the realms of nationality. We tend to take
different identities at different times as "identity" is a flexible concept.
Put simply, we use many identities. This will vary with the social situation
in which we may find ourselves. Identity is clearly emphasised differently
at different times. Variously, and at different times/occasions I choose to
emphasise my Indianess and at other times, my Goaness or my Britishness.
Thus I am, accidentally and quite flexibly, an Indian with Goan roots, but
British by nationality and of Kenyan birth! It does get complicated from
time to time but the emphasis is largely determined by who/what the audience
is rather than because of some cast-iron solidity which you might be
unwittingly emphasising about identity. I apologise if I have mis-read or
misunderstood you but I definitely cannot acept your view that cultural
affinity "plays a crucial role in determining one's true nationality"
because I do not think there is such as a thing as a "true nationality." It
is only a legally determined one.
Nationality, may indeed help shape identity sometimes e.g being an American
or an Indian. It is more akin to what we might choose or have chosen for
us, particularly when resident or identifying with a particular nation,
political entity or country, and also when using a nationality for economic
or travel purposes. When I travel, I use a British passport, (which
determines my nationality), for ease of travel internationally and not
because I have an emotional attachment to Britain but simply a residential
one. The attachment, if any, seems to be more in relation to thought linked
to European, North American and world media but above all, through the much
valued opportunity for internationalism that my British passport offers
currently. It permits easy freedom of movement anywhere, including Cuba,
something which is sadly, denied to American nationals/friends.
Just some ramblings, at much speed, and with no particular concern for being
rigourously right at this moment in time. The ball is back in your court now
RKN! Perhaps, some other time we can discuss the vexed terminology of 'race'
and even citizenship included in your post.
Cornel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Radhakrishnan Nair" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2006 5:32 AM
Subject: [Goanet] Re: Portuguese passports etc.
It does not occur to him that there's a dominant third dimension to the
issue -
- that of cultural affinity, which encompasses vast areas of tradition,
kinship, emotional attachment etc. And that plays a crucial role in
determining one's true nationality.
Cheers, RKN
