There's hope yet

Last night was surreal.

Abir had invited us to a local pub to celebrate the Scottish Robbie Burns day, there was going to be a live band and generally merriment - so we went. Firstly, it was an Irish pub. When we came in there were already lots of happy people and music playing (apparently we had just missed An Ode to Haggis), and naturally lot of men in kilts. Only not all of them Scottish, there were quite a few Irish kilts and outfits too, with plain colours and shamrocks. And the band was playing mostly Irish music.

First I just couldn't believe my eyes - everyone was mixing and matching the two cultures freely, and enjoying themselves immensely while doing it. Most people present of course didn't know the difference, and I don't claim to be an expert of this matter either. But in UK, this would have been a riot and a bloodbath - assuming of course that you would have gotten the people under the same roof in the first place. So initially I was just flabbergasted that they would dare to do this, but soon it changed to enjoyment and happiness - the band was really good. They had also some highland dancers, and a young boy who played the bagpipe - most amazing bagpipe performance I've ever seen: he was mixing in some (old school good) Metallica there between the traditional tunes, just fabulous.

The thing is, I always thought it was a good thing how in UK everyone had their own strong national identities. How they were proud as peacocks for being Welsh or Scottish or Irish, how I thought it was good to have strong connections with your roots. However the only thing that creates in the long run is Us and Them mentality, segregation and animosity, and just makes generally getting along a lot more difficult.

So maybe the only hope really is the new land, where people really can start over again. Where all cultures can be embraced and celebrated and shared - not used as weapons and excuses for personal insecurities. These people were there to have a good time - some of them had Scottish roots but most of them not, all were ready to experience and accept everything given. Young children, teens, thirty-somethings, middle-agers and the pensioners: dancing and clapping and singing. I'll take this any day to protest marches and guns and violence and armed police on the streets and bloodshed.

There's a limit to what I can take in in one night though. By the time they started celebrating Australia day (which is today) and singing Tie me kangaroo down and Waltzing Mathilda it was most definitely time to go home.

You can't add any more comments, but if you wish you can email the author.