28.09.2008
NEED your Point of View!!! ;-)
It is obvious in Australia and even more in the US…. That the country builds itself thanks to all those immigrants who arrived years/decades ago from all kind of countries. Nowadays, citizen considers themselves as American… What is it wrong with that would you tell me? Nothing… I know… continue to read... ;-)
Nowadays, 6/7 generations after their arrival, they consider themselves as Americana and do not even know from which country they come from, their roots. Which I totally understand, time goes and your life as always been in this country… and humanly you forget your origin after such a long time.
My worries, do not concern American but European…
Will this happen to European?
Does the EU will end to a unique political system/Government? Erasing slowly our culture, traditions and roots?
Being a pro-European myself, I do not think we will arrive until that extreme point as European are very proud of their nationalities and regions. But am I too optimist?
I know it will not happen in 10 years or even 30 years… but what about in 100 years. Who cares some may say… but I CARE!!!!!
Do we in several decades, several generations will consider ourselves as European WITHOUT knowing if our ROOTS are from France, Tcheque Republic, Greece, Roumania?
I am Normande & European, and YOU??
What do you think?
This comes up after an interesting discussion with Mariam & Emily (flatmates), that night we also spoke about the American presidential election… and to be honest with you… After those two topics, I TOTALLY freaked out…
I believe in the EU, in cooperation between countries to organise a better World. Is it utopist? I think that also explains why I am so proud to work at the UN. Because if I am utopist, the Founders of the UN were too though.
However, I really hope that we will not loose ourselves in the EU. However, we need to accept some concession to be able to go forward. And that one of the problem that characterises the difficulties encounter by the UN.
I am REALLY interested to know your thought about that as European or NOT?
07:27 Lien permanent | Commentaires (2) | Envoyer cette note
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i think europe is safe from that happening mathilde! i have never ever met or heard of people introducing themselves as european. people are too proud of where they come from, they wouldnt let those countries dissapear into one. and also in europe everyone speak so many different languages, if it was all the one language - then it would be more possible that poeple would just consider themselves as european. so i say HAVE NO FEAR! lol
Ecrit par : kassy | 30.09.2008
I agree with Kassy, though I do know many europeans that call themselves so (myself included). My experience also is that many Europeans find a collective when they are outside of Europe. We have a lot in common - especially our intellectual investigation. But that might just be a characteristic of Europeans exploring other countries. When we are home we focus more on our differences than our commonalities (the parisiens are sooo arrogant, eh Mathilde?)
To me, the major difference between America and Europe is that the western part of the american society has a short history and a loose cultural foundation. It is a mix of many peoples with attachments to many different cultures. Though the US is mainly build on colonial values it is still a multifaceted valueset with more loose definitions. In Europe we are bound by traditions and relate ourselves to ancient history. I, for example, still think I'm a viking... it's been a bit since they were around.
So like Kassy, I do not think we will let go of our individuality as peoples and become "United States of Europe" - though many would argue that this is the way we are heading with the proposals of the European Statue - a European constitution. I think we have too much baggage to let go of that. But who knows? 150 years from now english might be our common language and the rest have been reduced to local dialects... But I find that hard to believe...
I send you many kisses from a beautiful spring, where the jacarandas are blooming and the mozzies are starting to bite. Hope you are having fun.
Ecrit par : Signe | 07.10.2008
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