Sgian/Pride

[beloitpiper]

[*]Why are you proud of your heritage?[*]If you are or were a serviceman, are you proud of your service? Why? (If you have not been in the service, think about why a serviceman might be proud of his/her service.)[*]Are you proud of you race? (Note that this is different than "ethnic" pride.) Why? ***THIS IS NOT A DISCUSSION OF RACIAL PRIDE, IT'S A DISCUSSION OF PRIDE, AND PRIDE IN ONE'S RACE IS JUST ONE SMALL COMPONENT OF THAT TOPIC.***[*]If you could be characterized as belonging to a group that has been historically socially ostracized or oppressed such as gays/lesbians/transsexuals or similar, are you proud of your association with that group? Why?[*]Are you proud to wear a kilt? Why?[*]Have you or someone close to you been recognized for a contribution to society? Examples might be a Pulitzer or Nobel prize, or the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Are you proud of this? Why?

1) I am proud of my heritage because of the great contributions Scots and Scottish-Americans have made in society.

2) I am not and never was part of military. I have many family members who served, but I have not done so myself.

3) I am extremely proud of my race and how it has stood up to persecution and dicsrimination, and how it has established itself as a leading contributor to society (as mentioned above).

4) I am neither homosexual nor transgender, but the Irish (to which I have a strong connection) have withstood persecution both in America and the UK. I am proud of this, and hope that they can continually represent themselves positively. Even the Scots, during the Highland Clearances (which forced my ancestors to come to America) were persecuted, and I am extremely proud of their behavior.

5) I am proud to wear a kilt because of what it represents (my family and culture) and that I have the courage to wear one in a society that looks down upon what is different.

6) My grandfather was a both personal friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and one of the most celebrated judges in Wisconsin. I guess I am proud of this, but I do not publicize it. What I am more proud of is that he stood for what he believed in, and did not bow down to pressure. My other grandfather was a WWII hero, but I do not feel the need to flaunt it. More importantly, I am creating a name for myself and I hope to do many great things in my life. I am only 19 years old and look forward to a great number of opportunities in my life.

[Rab Gordon]

I'm not sure if I'd say that I'm proud to be Scottish per se, but it is an important part of my personal identity and culture and I am very comfortable and happy to be Scottish.
In our multicultural world I think that we need to first be comfortable with our own cultural identity in order to honestly emphasise with and respect its importance to other groups.

Rab

Sgian Dubhs & Sgian Brews
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[ozmeath]

Firstly I noticed a new member and would like to welcome Julian- Welcome!

Thanks Scott for a thought invoking post, it's tricky at best to dicuss blood and/or culturally related pride and identity. You did well in broaching some interesting points.

Relating to your post Gregory, I think we all here understand your need to stand your ground as such in wearing the kilt and black knife to college. Also you obviously consider yourself part of a group be it Celts, Scotts, Kilt wearers or even as an Xmarks member etc. I personally get a bit of a kick out of rocking the boat on occasion and I don't blame you for wanting to challenge the dominant paradigm at least a little.
This said, as a member of a group that you have pride for you also represent the whole as a member of it. If you start flaunting the local laws of your school or region you can easily create bad press and reputation for all of that group you consider yourself part of, which of course is contra to your motivation in the first place.
Well, just something for all of us to be aware of.
Skien Dubh or not to Dubh.....
Erin.

[Panache]

Scott,

Great Post!

Says Panache who is more Dutch and Dane than Scot by blood, and has as much German a Scottish blood in his veins (but who does not fancy lederhosen)

Cheers