Funny definition of internationalism…
I've had a lot of fun at the International Brigades Memorial events this weekend, but I left the buffet dinner fairly quickly (emailing apols to the lovely couple who were next to me) because of someone else on the table.How can someone call himself an internationalist and wear an International Brigade t-shirt, and be a Lexiter?
He seemed to think that because the Right is currently in the ascendant in some countries, that to identify primarily as a European is to align oneself with them. But (as we know well enough here) not all citizens identify with their governments. Most of my friends on the Mainland (certainly Les Amis) are on the Left. How can you be in favour of drawing lines and divisions through people's lives, and claim to be an internationalist? How does that serve solidarity and socialism? It certainly mocks the memory of those he claimed to be honouring… But then, I got the impression he seemed to regard Spain as something of an exceptional case.
I was reminded of some of the self-styled 'radical independence' people I knew in Glasgow, always bragging about their love of solidarity and internationalism, going on demos for Gaza or off to Greece or Belgium - But somehow the rest of the UK was too "other" (but not romantically exotic enough) for them to share as a political community or for them to care about…
I wanted to call the guy out as a phoney, who was letting his feelings about temporary issues (current governments, current economic policies) take precedent over people and cultural/intellectual identity. But it would have spoiled the mood and so I left. I prefer to cut individuals out of my life rather than lose dignity by screaming at them what they deserve.
He seemed to think that because the Right is currently in the ascendant in some countries, that to identify primarily as a European is to align oneself with them. But (as we know well enough here) not all citizens identify with their governments. Most of my friends on the Mainland (certainly Les Amis) are on the Left. How can you be in favour of drawing lines and divisions through people's lives, and claim to be an internationalist? How does that serve solidarity and socialism? It certainly mocks the memory of those he claimed to be honouring… But then, I got the impression he seemed to regard Spain as something of an exceptional case.
I was reminded of some of the self-styled 'radical independence' people I knew in Glasgow, always bragging about their love of solidarity and internationalism, going on demos for Gaza or off to Greece or Belgium - But somehow the rest of the UK was too "other" (but not romantically exotic enough) for them to share as a political community or for them to care about…
I wanted to call the guy out as a phoney, who was letting his feelings about temporary issues (current governments, current economic policies) take precedent over people and cultural/intellectual identity. But it would have spoiled the mood and so I left. I prefer to cut individuals out of my life rather than lose dignity by screaming at them what they deserve.