Discussion about this post

User's avatar
james's avatar

" the nations of the region are not pure-as-the-driven-snow ethnostates"

I would humbly suggest that you look up the meaning of the word 'nation'. It does not mean 'country'. It literally means tribe or ethnic group. A group of people who share a common language, culture/religion, and descent.

A 'nation state' is a country for a given nation. For instance, China is a nation state of the Han Chinese nation. Contrast that with South Africa, Brazil, or the USA, which are multicultural countries.

It's very confusing to hear Americans use the word 'nation' like it is a synonym for 'country'. I know that 'woman' no longer means what is used to, but it makes it very difficult to interpret terms like the "First Nations" of Canada.

Expand full comment
Marie's avatar

I had an experience like this almost 49 years ago at college in Cambridge, MA. Yes I guess I am getting old. So in front of the Athletic Center, right on Mass Ave, a foreign looking young man stopped suddenly next to a tree, pulled down his pants, pushed one out, and then pulled up his pants and walked away. I don't remember why I was on the sidewalk. It was mid-afternoon, and I was the only one to see this. (That is the surprising thing.) I was so shocked that I never told anyone until now. Maybe it's best to stay out of Massachusetts.

Expand full comment
21 more comments...

No posts