The world was recently stunned by an extremely narrow referendum result that saw the U.K. leave the E.U. by roughly 52 per cent voting Leave to 48 per cent voting Remain.
The full extent of the fallout remains to be seen, although markets plunged dramatically in the wake of the vote's results and the E.U. parliament seemed to be in turmoil last week.
Brexit, which broken down by demographics was overwhelmingly rejected by younger generations, largely seems to have blossomed under a growing nationalistic sentiment combined with sour resentment of immigration and demonizing of refugees. Imagine that, a country that through military conquest colonized half the world taking exception to immigrants.
The global rise of nationalism should be concerning to everyone. It is the 21st century — never in history have we been so connected, but at the same time, so many would instead pull us apart and drive even deeper divisive wedges or, you know, build big walls because those have a foolproof record of stopping people from finding a way to cross.
“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.”
Apparently that's Albert Einstein. I'd heard the saying before but found scores of sources online after looking it up out of curiosity.
The politics of division never lead down a good path. History has shown us this time and again. We'll sadly never move forward until we understand there's no “us” and “them” — it's just quite simply “us.” Far more connects the peoples of this planet than divides them — the bulk majority wish nothing more than to find a lot in life that allows some kind of decent living for themselves and their families.
“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder. What unites us is far greater than what divides us,” said JFK to the Canadian Parliament in 1961.
Today, “geography” would basically be technology, or perhaps more specifically the Internet and social media. Sadly, we never saw that president's promising potential to its fullest, as he was gunned down by an act of hate, not unlike the terrible death that recently befell British MP Jo Cox in the lead-up to Brexit. The politician was ruthlessly murdered by a right-wing, ultra-nationalistic zealot who reportedly shouted “Britain first!” repeatedly as he killed her. The young mother's only “crime,” in the eyes of the accused, was caring for all people and wanting to extend olive branches to vulnerable groups.
To having within mere generations gone from a leader who said “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” to having an orange, misogynistic, self-entitled, bumbling bigot billionaire buffoon potentially set to become the next president of the United States is rather regressive and highly indicative of the rise of anti-intellectualism. Britain doesn't seem any more immune to it than the U.S. Let us hope we are not next.
Being proud of one's country is one thing, but that pride should not override critical thought and rational judgement. It should also not largely be based on targeting vulnerable minorities. Instead of walls and fences, we should aspire to build roads and bridges.
History has provided many painful reminders of what happens when blind nationalistic fervour grips a people. Let's just try to make sure history doesn't end up having to teach us this lesson yet again.
