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Nationalism 101

A lot of people in this country like to say that they’re nationalistic.

When you ask them if they’d rather be patriotic, you get a scoff, something of a smirk, and a condescending “well isn’t that the same thing?”

No sweetheart, it definitely isn’t.

Benedict Anderson in his “Imagine Communities” defined the concept of “nation” as a community based on shared history, tradition or race, among other possible factors that may influence a sense of belonging.

It is not a legal entity, in the same way that a country is.

Its boundaries are flexible and impossible to define, possibly spanning continents.

It is — most important of all — imagined.

This is why Koreans will continue to believe that they are one nation, despite the fact that the Korean War is technically just suspended but officially still on-going. This is why Koreans will leave no stone unturned working to re-establish the peninsula as one country, antics of Kim Jong Il notwithstanding.

Jolly well and good, seemingly, but what happens when the basis for this shared community is weak and fleeting?

Therein lies the rub.

For everyone in this country is Bisaya first, Tsinoy first, Ilokano first. Everyone in this country is Atenista first, Lasalista first, Tomasino first. We are Kapamilya first, Kapuso first, Kapatid first.

The problem with our nationalism is that it lies squarely on reasons so very tenuous that the briefest challenge can render it asunder.

Internationally recognized achievements seem to be the bar upon which we currently peg our nationalist fervor. Manny Pacquiao, Charice Pempengco, as well as random successful people who may or may not have 0.0001 chance of Filipino blood inspire loud cries of “Proud to be Pinoy” with their every achievement.

Ah, but the flip side exists.

The moment some poor Pinoy sap commits something shameful, these “Proud” Filipinos disappear in the blink of an eye. Kabayan? We’re having none of that.

I cannot tell you how many “thank god I have a *insert foreign country here* passport” status updates appeared in Facebook after the hostage-taking clusterfuck at the Quirino Grandstand.

But apart from this, I suppose there is another basis for our nationalism: the so-called victim mentality.

We are a poor country, hence we are often trampled and tread upon. Boohoo.

Our default response to the (then) impending execution of three convicted drug couriers: maawa kayo. Have mercy.

Ignore the law. Ignore their crimes. They are Filipinos, they are poor and they are deserving of pity.

Essentially: we are deserving of pity.

This constant notion of victim-hood rears its head every so often, with disparaging remarks from foreign television shows, comedians, writers etc garnering incensed responses and calls for boycotts, protests, and congressional inquiry.

But none of these help us become better citizens striving for the improvement of our country.

Nationalism, though imagined, can be useful. It allows people to find unity and strength in their community, giving them the inspiration to work together for mutual betterment.

Our nationalism consists of incendiary tweets, blog posts, protests, rallies and demands for public apology. We then congratulate ourselves, basking in our nationalistic fervor, not realizing that all we’ve done is raise a ruckus over things that are honestly fucking pointless.

Our nationalism does not inspire us to be law-abiding citizens, or helpful members of society. It distracts us from our true responsibilities as people of this country. It allows us to congratulate ourselves every time some kind of online protest goes viral, or when our drama hits the news and foreigners are forced to offer us a halfhearted apology to soothe our wounded amor propio.

It prevents us from going further, from recognizing that superficial acts to prove one’s nationalism are little more than cute little pieces in a circle-jerk of sisyphean proportions.

You want to wear clothes with the Philippine map or the famous three-stars-and-a-sun emblem on them? You want to protest every perceived slight against us? You wear some baller band to show off your nationalism?

Fine.

But please, do not expect us to believe that you are a better Filipino for it.