The Bigger Tribe

I was all in for nation building patriotism in post 1994 South Africa. We have the most awesome flag for face painting. We have 11 different national languages, Vuvuzelas, Potjiekos, uMqombothi, a world conquering Rugby and Cricket side and a lovable Football team. And of course... we had Mandela. In a country full of deep wounds, we had deep cultural tools to use for celebration and someone around who we could gather. Everyone adopts the fun cultural spice from the smaller sub-tribes. We created a new South African tribe. My deep rooted support for my province could even be put aside when Percy Montgomery pulled on a national rugby jersey (it did help when he later played for my province).

National building and patriotism did the same in America to unite the states. The European project is trying to do the same to end Europe's history of warfare. I am not convinced though that the reason this tribal celebration and creation works is the existence of an other. Patriotism gets ugly when it makes enemies of those outside the nation. It gets ugly when we begrudge others a job. Cultural celebrations bring people together - Art, Music, Poetry, Sport. The more we can celebrate our bigger global tribe, the more we can break down the uglier divisions we create. That is one of the reasons Social Media is so awesome. Borders fade. We build friendships and get to know those around the world. We build a tribe.