Racism and nationalism are the same thing
4:57pm, 5th January 2007
What is nationalism? Its definition is inextricably linked to the definition of nation: “a large aggregate of people united by common descent, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory” (OED). It is important to distinguish nation from state. They are not the same thing, even though we speak of the nation state, which is a political state comprised, ideally, of a single nation, where membership of this single nation is determined by descent, culture or language.
This idea of “descent, culture or language” is a bit cumbersome, but fortunately the English language blesses us with a shorthand term for this: ethnicity. There is a technical distinction between ethnicity and race - race is more about biology - but they are forever linked in the mind of the racist as the basis of what makes him different to the hated Other.
It’s easy to see how the sentiment underlying racism - the belief that one race is intrinsically superior to another - is a kind of pure prejudice that can be, and almost universally is, applied to groups defined by factors other than race, such as gender and sexuality: sexism is the belief that one gender is intrinsically superior to another. Is there really any difference between sexism and racism here? The object of prejudice is different, but the sentiment isn’t. These isms are all unjustified prejudice, distilled into pure form. And here’s the point:
Nationalism is just another ism.
Is it a coincidence that the BNP (the British National Party) and the Nazis (National Socialists) are vicious racists? Of course not. It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that the belief that your nation is intrinsically better than another is plain old racism. The distinction is maintained by piling universal scorn on racism but none on nationalism. The Sun will happily print headlines bashing “the feelthy Frogs” and “lout Krauts”, but do they have the balls to tell us what they think about spics, wops, niggers and ragheads?
Excellent. I totally agree with you - nationalism should be treated with the same contempt racism and sexism is. The more we divide ourselves the more conflict arises. But hey, I’m a realist, even if we get over racism (not im my lifetime for sure), sexism and all the isms you can think of, I’m sure we’ll invent new ways to differentiate and hate on one another…!
How weird, I just found out last week that one of my neighbours is not only a member of the BNP but is standing as a candidate for them in our local borough elections and has been suspended from his job due to accessing BNP related websites whilst at work. Trying to explain to my brother that this is a bad thing has been challenging but at least he does understand that the BNP are vicious racist bastards… at least I hope he does.
Eww. The BNP smells. I wonder if your neighbour would’ve been sacked just for being a member if he hadn’t also wasted time on their website. Does he work for the government in any way? Loathsome though they are, I would be wary of a public sector employee being fired for his political views.
(That’s the political views I find loathsome, not public sector employees :) )
I understand where you’re coming from in suggesting that the lines between racism and nationalism are blurred. But that’s due to a misunderstanding of what nationalism really stands for. There is a difference between the two. Racism is the belief that one’s race is innately superior to another. Whereas nationalism is supposed to denote devotion to one’s own country and its interests though not at the expense of others and not because you think your country is better than another. For me, nationalism should be seen as a love of one’s country because you are proud of it (whilst being critical) and you feel a sense of belonging. I find it upsetting that people who have these sentiments are perceived as right-wing, neo-Nazis. This is just another example of prejudice and narrow-mindedness (two qualities characteristic of racism). Also, it is important to note that nations are not necessarily composed of one single race of people and for this reason it would be hard to see how nationalism can be seen as racism when societies today are so profoundly multicultural. Personally, I am proud of my country and its achievements throughout the centuries, but I also look at it in a critical way and I also admire other countries and their acheivements. Thus, I am nationalist not a racist/xenophobe. You say its no coincidence that BNP incorporates the word nationalist within its name. No its not, because nationalist is the next best thing to British Racist Party. Unfortunately, racists have just stolen the term nationalist as a means to disguise or dilute what they really are and what they really stand for. Perhaps then we should rejuvenate the idea of Patriotism. I find it a real shame that 21st century men and women are denied the chance to exude love for their country without being viewed as racist. It’s a sad state of affairs and those of you who are guilty of this are no better than the racists you denounce.
A useful article on the difference between nationalism and patriotism. I don’t have a problem with patriotism. It seems no better or worse than supporting your local football team. Cornell, you sound like a Patriot, not a nationalist :)
Why are people racist against racists!?!? Leave us alone!!
ed… you are an asshole and im sure someday racism will bite you in the ass and you’ll understand why racism is stupid. if we can fight a war together why cant we live together in peace? and you cant be racist against racists you dumb ass. an oppinion is not a race.