Message-ID: <35AC6FEF.46F061E0@mail.ptl.com.mt> Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:01:35 +0200 From: mailto:vdimitroff@MAIL.PTL.COM.MT Subject: "citizenship" a circumstantial aspect.. To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
Those among list members who belong to 'first class' nations will never be able to understand this. Only the victims of discrimination (by citizenship, that is) are fully aware of the problem. Sadly enough, attitudes change with amazing speed when status changes: I have seen former victims, only months after obtaining a desired new passport, say "you Third World people" to their (former) brethren.Many in the so-called developed countries may sympathize, but not enough for any action (the issue is not a 'burning' one for them). Unfortunately, any change of status quo depends precisely on those nations.
Still this "circumstantial aspect" has its importance and no one should seriously seek to 'abolish' it. It's fine to be a 'citizen of the World', but <belonging> to a place, nation, community will always make a difference. After all, it's all about identity, individuality, character, diversity. There is nothing wrong with being proud of your nationality (I pity those who easily trade it for a more 'prestigious' one).
The difficulty is to reconcile a healthy patriotism with the unjust system of labeling and valuing individual professionals in the international arena. IMHO standing firm against discrimination and struggling to assert oneself despite prejudices is proving more effective than moaning and pleading for someone's global intervention.
Best of luck to all colleagues with other than North American and EU passports!
V. Dimitroff