Ethnicity
By
Dr.Stojadin B.Naumovski
“Going to the grass roots” was
the slogan for candidates going in to campaign for the elections
2004. But what that really meant?
Did it, mean the “Grass roots”
of the party members or the “Grass roots” of the voters?
In countries with multiple
Ethnic [minorities] groups, and especially in the Balkans, where
existence of “ethnic political parties” become “rule of the
thumb”, going to the “Grass roots” [ in addition to the
“ideological grass roots”] meant going to these elite group
entities who were claiming to have the legitimacy of the ethnic
groups. The agenda of this political elites was primarily based
on the Nationality of the Ethnic group, while offering
“variation on the theme” including ingredients such as “left” or
“right”, socialist, democratic, liberal…
It did appear that an
experiment was in the process: first time political parties were
allowed to register on an “Ethnic” basis, practice previously
unknown and even prohibited by the lows for registration of
political parties.
Some countries in the Balkan
region refused to register such political parties, but some
appear to be “in deep trouble” and struggling with the
evolution of those political parties, in some cases turning in
to pure terrorist organizations obviously hiding behind party
flags, logos and media outfits, who in turn are covering up for
their terrorists proxies. One can find multiple examples in all
six of the former Yugoslav Republics and especially in the
Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija.
The Nazi and Fascist roots had
still been alive and are again growing back from the dark parts
of the history in the Balkans. Their appearance is obvious and
unmistakably follows “the territorial maps” once set by Hitler,
Mussolini, Tzar Boris…and now days copycats such like ICG(International
Crisis Group).
These newly grown roots and groups are fuelled by nationalism of
the same groups thirsty for genocide and ethnic cleansing. The
rootless Machiavellism in the name of one’s own “Ethnic group”
is running the show.
So, instead accepting the
“World as the wide field for cultural competition among peoples
and Nations”,
the cultural field, for some Ethnic leaders, becomes the
bloodbath of the gladiators arena in which the rootless predator
is taking over the space from the pray. In the geopolitical and
geo strategic games the stakes are high. The rootless predators
are but the proxies of the puppet masters and oligarchs, who in
the process of wishful dreaming are hoping for the dreams to
come true. The means today are very sophisticated; the networks
admirable, the allies and support teams are from “the dream
league”, however the consequences are disastrous.
That is how for those leaders,
political terrorism
has started becoming lucrative political profession.
So again, ever since the demise
of Yugoslavia, going to the grassroots would have meant- going
to the Ethnic groups”.
The Ethnic factor was part of
the regions and continents, politics, wars in every period known
to history. The “ethnicity” (gr.ethnos) referred to sense
of kinship, group solidarity… common culture.
Redefining the word Ethnic in
to new positive direction is definitely a challenging task.
In the past [and present]
ethnic was often associated with conflict, and every war had its
Ethnic heroes. Nowadays political struggles in various parts of
the world are almost always presented with inevitable Ethnic
pretexts. Sometimes economic issues, political differences and
national concepts are on the agenda as well.
Even though it appears that
there is no essential connection between ethnicity and conflict,
the cultural differences among various Ethnic groups and lock of
knowledge, understanding and acceptance of the mutual values and
customs appears to be at list part of the contentious nature of
the ethnicity.
Religion also plays role of its
own. Again, lock of knowledge and understanding about each
others religious beliefs and customs may be playing significant
role. Especially knowing the fact that multiple Ethnic groups
cluster around particular religion and guidelines of the same
can be viewed as an acceptable common denominator for mutual
coexistence.
Cultural, religious,
national…the set of values, as a common denominator appears to
be the modeling factor in accepting the “cluster’s rules”.
What does this set of values
include, one may ask?
Well, in addition to the
religion, language is the first on the list. Then family values,
customs, folklore, nutrition. Common roots, territorial and
historic ties appear to be strong factors as well.
One should allays approach any
problem with a positive aptitude and with intention to solve it.
Developing the right solution for each situation is challenging,
but rewarding task.
How to recognize Ethnic
conflict [if any] and how to prevent it should be preceding the
question :”Can ethnic conflict ever be resolved?”
Careful observation of the
Inter Ethnic relations and positive reinforcement of the “good”
while rejecting the “bad” may be easy way of conditioning
various Ethnic groups in to “Dialog of Civilizations” as oppose
to “Clash of Civilizations”. In this context the language of
communication will be widely acceptance of “its o.k. to be
good”, “show me something good about yourself” as oppose to “I
can be worse than you can”, or even “I will hurt you a lot more
if you hurt me first”!
It has to become the style of
the new era to recognize the goodness in people “It feels good
to be good”-“Its o.k. to be good”!
The identity of the Ethnic
group plays significant role. The natural instinct for self
preservation and protection of one’s identity may be playing the
most important role in the entire ordeal. In order to save the
society we should save the individual unit- the Family.
Preserving and building the Family’s identity is equally
important task. The Ethnic group’s identity is de facto the
multitude of ethnic, family and individual identities with
mutual common denominators.
If this identity is challenged
or in danger to be lost, reaction formation and displacement may
take place thus creating rejection of influences from other
groups Ethnic elements. This may lead to self encapsulation and
buildup of internal negative energy. This negative Energy if
associated with set of displacements may threaten even the
existence of the group itself.
Detecting the critical moment
“of truth” and appropriate reaction to it is of crucial
importance in prevention of negativism and delineation of the
individual or group. Reinforcing the good and acceptable
behavior of the “Ethnic Communities” while continuously helping
them preserve their own identities appears to be the long term
solution.
The feeling of own identity,
the pride for the “goodness” and the positive feelings of being
who we really are should be generously reinforced and supported.
Yes, I insist “It is O.K. to be
good!”
This should be the message we send out to the communities.
Fight against the “evil”, against terrorism and so on may not be
the only catchy phrase. Some of us still believe in converting
the bad guys in to good Samaritans. Nowadays we call that
reintegration with society, after we give amnesty even to proven
terrorists. There are many examples from the Albanian
“terrorists” in Macedonia and Kosovo, to the IRA in Northern
Ireland. Some of these were even given public office and other
“rewards”. It sounds like oxymoron, but we are getting use to
it. For some it may work. Just give them a chance to be good and
you will see.
Even in Biblical times, Jewish
Saul, prosecuting Gentiles, was “the bad guy”, but had lather
converted to St.Paul, and continued with his mission in
Macedonia, thus introducing Christianity to Europe. Is there
anyone who has not heard of the St.Paul Cathedral in Rome?
Learning about each other’s
values is the content that needs to be recognized, learning
about customs and historic events may be of great consequence
for final outcome in “the dialogue of civilizations”. We all
know that even small things like one’s birthday means a lot to
every individual. While the positive attention brings back
positive feelings and reinforcing previous positive experiences,
the lock of positive reinforcement may lead to the opposite
direction.
If we start from the premise
that out there one can find more goodness than evil, then
reinforcing the goodness itself in people is the way to go.
Doing that we shell be on the right track. Every Ethnic group
has something positive that needs to be recognized. Every
individual of the given group has a humanitarian need to feel
good while doing good deeds. Absence of good feelings about
one’s own identity and values may create displacement and a
snowball effect of negative moves leading in the wrong
direction. Desperation definitely can lead to the other extreme
and certainly turn in to extremism, even terrorism.
“Why has Ethnicity become the
major source of social and political conflict in both developing
and developed societies? How do we buildup to overcome that
situation?
Firstly scientifically
approach the question by defining the basic elements of the
equation. One can analyze each end every aspect of the
individual elements and then find the common denominator for
solving the equation, if we were to use analogy from
mathematics.
Recognizing the problem is half
of the solution. Realizing the depth of the problem will show
how elementary the solution is.
The analysis of the individual
elements may cover a broad range of interpretations and data,
while the succinct history of the concept of ethnicity will
provide a key to understanding its development and ultimately
give tools for its appropriate management.
Developing a model of concise
definition and objective evaluation of diverse viewpoints as key
elements “of the equation” will be a firm framework that one can
use to make own evaluations of the present state or the future
of ethnicity. The diversity may be very strong foundation to
build on, therefore should the real values of all Ethnic groups
be recognized fair and square without favoritism and none of
them should be discriminated against.
By using this technique and
with this in mind we can turn the tables in the situations [and
societies] where diversity has evolved in to liability. More
diverse the environment, with this approach in mind, stronger
will be the foundation of the society in which the “ethnic” is
redefined and the individualism of all ethnic groups and their
respective values are equally recognized. Especially endorsed
should be the values that appear to be common values to all
groups. That may have been the “melting pot” concept of United
States of America, but the energy needed for that process should
come from the individualism and identity values that each and
every ethnic group carries as the basic principles for self
preservation, basis of pride and the positive fillings of being
good and proud of it.
In sports analogy we could be
talking of Ethnic Values Olympiad. And as in the Olympic Games
the most important of all will be “to participate”. To qualify,
the Ethnic groups will have to show certain level of identity
and values that are acceptable for all as to be the basic
behavior in respecting each others values and identity.
How will one define “the rules”
for participation in this “Ethnic Olympiad”? First thing, the
most important step we need to do is to redefine the word
Ethnic.
The benefits of that process
will come sooner than most would expect.
Hawing Ethnic museums may be
one of the initial steps to be taken. Space should not be the
problem.
In Sterling Heights, an
estimated 39 languages are spoken, and even more Ethnic groups
are part of this multi ethnic community. This was the safest
city in Michigan for six (6) consecutive years. Redefining the
word Ethnic is also an opportunity to promote the initiative for
establishing Ethnic Museums in multi ethnic communities.
Since the benefits will be
enjoyed indiscriminately by all residents, and subsequently the
results will benefit the society, the museums should be paid for
by taxpayers’ dollars.
The process of redefining the
word ethnic and especially establishing the ethnic
museums should be looked at as a very important part of the home
land security efforts, this initiative should also be supported
by federal dollars.
Teaching the children about
their own roots and ethnicity is not just the duty of Hollywood.
Not only the films of the type like “The roots”, “The Apostle”;
neither Ellis Island museum in New York, nor The Holocaust
museum in Southfield should remain the only basis for the
curriculum in teaching our children right. The review of
curriculums in one of Michigan area School District three years
ago has shown incomplete and misleading information about the
suffering in the world in the recent history. Nothing
significant has changed since. The suffering of every ethnic
group (in the past and present) should have its page in the
educational process. Certainly their respective values also
should have the deserved attention.
Building children’s identities
should be and should remain unforgettable experience and special
pleasure for every child and teacher. Learning about each
other’s values should be part of that process. We should not see
“Gender Identity Syndrome” in innocent and often confused
children in today’s society overloaded with destructive media
content. We should raise and develop complete individuals with
clear point of reference instead.
The Ethnic Museums should be
invaluable educational tool not only for the school children but
for many adults as well.
Teaching everyone about
everyone’s Holocaust, learning how to identify and reject the
“bad guys”, setting up “the rules” for recognizing and having
the opportunity to experience the “good”, sympathizing with
other’s pain and suffering may help us all in coping with the
terrible past while hoping for brighter and better future. Our
World today is faced with daunting challenges, teaching people
about each other are one of the ways we can accomplish a lot.
The Author
Dr.Stojadin B.Naumovski is Member of Ethnic Community Committee
of Sterling Heights,Michigan/USA for 9 years. Since 2006 he
serves as the Committee’s Chairman
Copyright Dr.Stojadin
B.Naumovski ©2007 For
fair use only.
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