Social Identity, Nationalism, War, and Death
In the following paragraphs an analysis of the main ideas represented in Chapter 19 called “transcending Oneself through Social Identification” written by Emanuele Castano, Vincent Yzerbyt, and Maria-Paola Paladino (2004) will be the main focus of this discussion, emphasizing in the idea that nationalism tends to generate multiple group interactions that might result in conflict. For centuries one of the most important aspects of human interaction has been the ability to identify ourselves with a specific group that shares similar interests. Social identity can be said to be a person’s sense of how he or she is identified based on the specific group they interact with, such as socioeconomic status, …show more content…
In the most recent election, the new president of the United States of America was able to win the candidacy by appealing to fear and hate he generated in his voters towards people from other parts of the world, as well as their religious views. This clearly shows us that the in-group will discriminate against the out-group to enhance their social identity. For example, there has been a long-lasting rivalry between my country, Ecuador, and our southern neighbor, Peru. We have been at war since the 1800s and they have gradually been taking possession of our land. This generated a nationwide discrimination towards Peruvians and their culture. With time, this discrimination has become less controversial given that our business, touristic, and political relationships have been improving gradually since our last conflict in 1995 with the Cenepa war. When I was growing up, my father was called to this war because, at that time, he was a Captain in the Ecuadorian Army. I was only six years old when this happened, and I remember contemplating the idea of losing my father at war. Thankfully this did not happen, but I am sure it helped me maintain a certain ill feeling towards people from Peru despite their age, sex or social …show more content…
Besides the fact that the landscapes were breathtaking and the food was delicious, I found the people in every city I visited very welcoming, humble, well-mannered, and friendly. I immediately felt part of this culture. I felt as if I have been missing all that beauty because of my prejudices. The stories I have heard from my father and his friends were the main factor in generating the stereotypes and prejudices towards Peruvians in my mind. The ideas previously formed in my mind were nationalistic and based on information I have heard instead of things that I experienced or seen. These experiences were the key determinant for me not to visit a neighbor country for many years. This nationalism, this discrimination against Peruvians was not a well-founded response and it was motivated purely by self-identity. It derived from my knowledge of our history and the emotional significance I had attached to it. Only by re-educating myself I was able to transcend the parts of my identity based on my nationalist myths. I have become more welcoming when I meet a person from Peru since July,
In the following paragraphs an analysis of the main ideas represented in Chapter 19 called “transcending Oneself through Social Identification” written by Emanuele Castano, Vincent Yzerbyt, and Maria-Paola Paladino (2004) will be the main focus of this discussion, emphasizing in the idea that nationalism tends to generate multiple group interactions that might result in conflict. For centuries one of the most important aspects of human interaction has been the ability to identify ourselves with a specific group that shares similar interests. Social identity can be said to be a person’s sense of how he or she is identified based on the specific group they interact with, such as socioeconomic status, …show more content…
In the most recent election, the new president of the United States of America was able to win the candidacy by appealing to fear and hate he generated in his voters towards people from other parts of the world, as well as their religious views. This clearly shows us that the in-group will discriminate against the out-group to enhance their social identity. For example, there has been a long-lasting rivalry between my country, Ecuador, and our southern neighbor, Peru. We have been at war since the 1800s and they have gradually been taking possession of our land. This generated a nationwide discrimination towards Peruvians and their culture. With time, this discrimination has become less controversial given that our business, touristic, and political relationships have been improving gradually since our last conflict in 1995 with the Cenepa war. When I was growing up, my father was called to this war because, at that time, he was a Captain in the Ecuadorian Army. I was only six years old when this happened, and I remember contemplating the idea of losing my father at war. Thankfully this did not happen, but I am sure it helped me maintain a certain ill feeling towards people from Peru despite their age, sex or social …show more content…
Besides the fact that the landscapes were breathtaking and the food was delicious, I found the people in every city I visited very welcoming, humble, well-mannered, and friendly. I immediately felt part of this culture. I felt as if I have been missing all that beauty because of my prejudices. The stories I have heard from my father and his friends were the main factor in generating the stereotypes and prejudices towards Peruvians in my mind. The ideas previously formed in my mind were nationalistic and based on information I have heard instead of things that I experienced or seen. These experiences were the key determinant for me not to visit a neighbor country for many years. This nationalism, this discrimination against Peruvians was not a well-founded response and it was motivated purely by self-identity. It derived from my knowledge of our history and the emotional significance I had attached to it. Only by re-educating myself I was able to transcend the parts of my identity based on my nationalist myths. I have become more welcoming when I meet a person from Peru since July,