Re: A Nation’s Identity Crisis

Identity crisis- a disorientation concerning one's sense of self, values, and role in society, often of acute onset and related to a particular and significant event in one's life.

Stedman’s Medical Dictionary 28th Edition, Copyright© 2006_Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

I read Reuben Abati’s article, titled A Nation's Identity Crisis and I tried very hard to get the point. I cannot disrespect Flora Shaw, any less the name ‘Nigeria’ but I find it difficult to diagnose ‘identity crisis’ by the factors mentioned by Reuben. Based on Reuben’s diagnosis, the USSR had an identity crisis in 1991, hence the name Russia. The Ghanaian Cedi had an identity crisis hence its redenomination. So also, Persia, Rhodesia, Abyssia, East Pakistan, Gold Coast and Upper Volta. Now we must be living in a pathetic world, even worse now with the global recession. Probably the United Kingdom might become ‘Greater United Kingdom’ by the time the world economy picks up again. I can almost hear Reuben saying, ‘Identity Crisis’.

The article did make me think. Yes, I wondered if the out-going old generation has the discipline or the patience to write complete sentences or think through a subject to its logical end. And if they do, how much virtue is there in keeping this ‘good’ to themselves and to the grave. Where did the younger ones go wrong? Was it in trying to improve what they met or living the life that they met. Can I blame my five year old neighbor for not knowing what a pedestrian crossing is when there are none on the roads or would I rather blame the town planners for not enforcing some certain road signs? No, I would rather blame the painter for not sparing some excess white paint for the ‘Pedestrian Crossing’ noble cause. Think about it.

The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Social environment is the culture that he or she was educated and/or lives in, and the people and institutions with whom the person interacts. With the world being a global village, the environment is infinitely extensive. For instance, if you consider the evolution of Mambo, salsa and any of the Cuban dances, you would realize how much external influence defined those dances today. This might be because I’m not the Chief Editor of Guardian newspapers, but I would rather dance away my frustrations than write them.