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| St David's Day 2011 - Cardiff (Guardian Cardiff Flickr) |
I'm not a patriot.
"Devotion" to a piece of land contained within a line of a map is quaint and anachronistic.
Odd sentiments for a nationalist, I know.
But the land doesn't matter. The people do.
The people of Wales are the constant throughout it's history, from the days of warring principalities, the dark days of penal laws and annexation, revolutions in agriculture, industry and society right through to devolution. Wales is what it is today because of their stories, their hard graft, their contributions and decisions both individual and collective.
The Britons, Normans, Flemish, English, Scottish, Irish, Italians, Americans, Canadians, Somalis, Yemenis, Nigerians, Ashkenazi, Persian, Turks, Chinese, Japanese, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Indians, Poles, Lithuanians, Slovakians, Czechs, Romani and many others have made Wales their home. Most, if not all of them were represented, regardless of how many generations down the line they were, in the centre of their capital city today.
Wales is defined and shaped by them and us, one and all. Wales isn't an abstract concept, it isn't a fiefdom of an aristocrat or a single political party nor is it an appendage of a larger nation. It might not be the nicest house in the street, it might "need some renovation", but it's ours nonetheless.
Whether they are a Fitzgerald or an ap Gwynfor, a Mohammed or a Sidoli, a Jenkins or a Wong, Wales's destiny rests in their hands. We all have different opinions and ideas about which direction Wales will go in the future but the people of Wales have proven throughout history that they have the courage, conviction and confidence to ensure Wales will endure whatever fate; political, philosophical and ideological; throws at us.
Sometimes that means shining a light on our failures. Confronting our clear weaknesses and overcoming them isn't just part of the rough and tumble of national life but something for all individuals in society as well. We can and must do things better, whether it's improving our own lives, those of our communities or those of our national institutions.
Only the Welsh people have the power to ensure the best Wales possible is bequeathed to the future. Nobody else is going to do it for us. It can't be given as a gift by MP's, it can't be promised in a manifesto, nor can it be magicked up through constitutional frivolities.
Wales isn't perfect. We don't have all the answers ourselves. However if we have even an ounce of the drive of our ancestors, whether they died in a pointless border skirmish in the 9th century, bore the scars of industry to provide for themselves and their families or became a millionaire by 25, Wales can get there eventually.
Wales is part of a global community, a European community and a community of nations sharing an archipelago. We have a uniqueness that is to be celebrated, not idealised, nor reserved exclusively to stadia. A uniqueness that should include, not exclude. A uniqueness that has influenced and been influenced by those other unique communities around us. One day Wales will play a full part in each of those wider communities. Whether it's 10 years from now or 100 years doesn't really matter. But we can only do that when we accept ourselves for what we are and are prepared to make the hard decision to step out of the shadows with confidence, as many other communities in Europe and the rest of the World have done in the past century. Let's hope that when we do, we do so with humility, like the humility of our patron saint, wanting to have a positive influence on the global community and truly cherish and celebrate the gift of determining our own path. In our own time. On our own terms.
Devotion merely blinds you to the imperfections.
That's why I'm true to my nation. A nationalist, not a patriot.
Happy St. David's Day. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus.
"Devotion" to a piece of land contained within a line of a map is quaint and anachronistic.
Odd sentiments for a nationalist, I know.
But the land doesn't matter. The people do.
The people of Wales are the constant throughout it's history, from the days of warring principalities, the dark days of penal laws and annexation, revolutions in agriculture, industry and society right through to devolution. Wales is what it is today because of their stories, their hard graft, their contributions and decisions both individual and collective.
The Britons, Normans, Flemish, English, Scottish, Irish, Italians, Americans, Canadians, Somalis, Yemenis, Nigerians, Ashkenazi, Persian, Turks, Chinese, Japanese, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Nepalis, Indians, Poles, Lithuanians, Slovakians, Czechs, Romani and many others have made Wales their home. Most, if not all of them were represented, regardless of how many generations down the line they were, in the centre of their capital city today.
Wales is defined and shaped by them and us, one and all. Wales isn't an abstract concept, it isn't a fiefdom of an aristocrat or a single political party nor is it an appendage of a larger nation. It might not be the nicest house in the street, it might "need some renovation", but it's ours nonetheless.
Whether they are a Fitzgerald or an ap Gwynfor, a Mohammed or a Sidoli, a Jenkins or a Wong, Wales's destiny rests in their hands. We all have different opinions and ideas about which direction Wales will go in the future but the people of Wales have proven throughout history that they have the courage, conviction and confidence to ensure Wales will endure whatever fate; political, philosophical and ideological; throws at us.
Sometimes that means shining a light on our failures. Confronting our clear weaknesses and overcoming them isn't just part of the rough and tumble of national life but something for all individuals in society as well. We can and must do things better, whether it's improving our own lives, those of our communities or those of our national institutions.
Only the Welsh people have the power to ensure the best Wales possible is bequeathed to the future. Nobody else is going to do it for us. It can't be given as a gift by MP's, it can't be promised in a manifesto, nor can it be magicked up through constitutional frivolities.
Wales isn't perfect. We don't have all the answers ourselves. However if we have even an ounce of the drive of our ancestors, whether they died in a pointless border skirmish in the 9th century, bore the scars of industry to provide for themselves and their families or became a millionaire by 25, Wales can get there eventually.
Wales is part of a global community, a European community and a community of nations sharing an archipelago. We have a uniqueness that is to be celebrated, not idealised, nor reserved exclusively to stadia. A uniqueness that should include, not exclude. A uniqueness that has influenced and been influenced by those other unique communities around us. One day Wales will play a full part in each of those wider communities. Whether it's 10 years from now or 100 years doesn't really matter. But we can only do that when we accept ourselves for what we are and are prepared to make the hard decision to step out of the shadows with confidence, as many other communities in Europe and the rest of the World have done in the past century. Let's hope that when we do, we do so with humility, like the humility of our patron saint, wanting to have a positive influence on the global community and truly cherish and celebrate the gift of determining our own path. In our own time. On our own terms.
Devotion merely blinds you to the imperfections.
That's why I'm true to my nation. A nationalist, not a patriot.
.........pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad..........
Happy St. David's Day. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus.
Welcome to the Welsh blogosphere on the most auspicious day of the year, and in this most significant of weeks for our nation.
ReplyDeletePob lwc.