Hello
everybody, I am not part of the panel but I would like to take the opportunity of the open
forum and speak a little bit about our topic of discussion.
Our topic is “A World Without Borders For The Next Millenium!"
Possibly no one will agree with what I say... but here goes.
We
have listened to some speakers from various parts of the world and they indeed give us
hope for the future. But is it enough to achieve a world without borders? Is it
feasible... Actually most of us accept the existence of borders as natural. Having
separate countries is normal! Our topic of a world without borders is a contradiction to
what we have grown up to believe! For many it might be nothing but wistful thinking –
removed from reality.
I,
however, declare borders to be a contradiction of nature! -- There are natural borders
like mountains, rivers, deserts, and oceans... all of which we have learned to conquer.
The borders that are more impregnable than the natural borders are the borders that
power-hungry politicians and monarchy have drawn on paper and in many cases put up barbed
wire fences. THESE ARE ARTIFICIAL CONSTRUCTS OF POLITICIANS THAT SIMPLY ISOLATE AND
SEPARATE US! THESE BORDERS VALIDATE NOTIONS
OF NATIONALISM AND PATRIOTISM, WHICH ARE DEEMED AS VIRTUES BY MANY BUT ARE SIMPLY
SELF-CENTRED AND AKIN TO RACISM.
I am
a Bangladeshi, I am supposed to be proud that I am a Bangladeshi..., my patriotism... OK
but why should I be proud of it – is it because I am supposed to think that
Bangladeshis are better ... being born a Bangladeshi makes me superior to others?
Patriotism is in a way a covert form of racism! And Nationalism is a more overtly racist!
It clearly states that one’s nation is the greatest ... It gives one the liscence not
only to look down upon other nations – it gives the liscence for going to war....
here is an example...
Say I
draw a line through the middle of the room here... And this the new border. Those on the
right and left hand side now suddenly become different. Suddenly those on the right feel
they are better... same with those on the left side! When Mr. Ed Cosgrove would have to go
from one side to the other – cross the room, during our open forum Question-Answer
section ... he will not be allowed to go, unless he is granted special permission – a
visa! And when your leader of your side will call for war... it would be your patriotic
duty to go to the war... your friend on the other side is now your enemy as he is on the
other side... enemy of your side... is that correct...is that not nonsense? Is that not
childish? YET we consider such notions to be normal when the "great leaders" of
the world feed us that nonsense. Our schools, and family and everything around us teach
the same nonsense ... yet we never stop to think how ridiculous these borders are!
Now,
I’d like to point out that if we want a world without borders we must watch out that
we do not arbitrarily remove the borders from the maps. That will simply create more
Kosovos! NO! We should look in our hearts first... There lies the root of borders. Since
our childhood the concept of borders has been deeply engraved in our hearts. They exist in
our hearts. We think ... I am American.. or I am Czech, or I am not Slovak... besides
these borders are many other borders deeply rooted in our hearts... racism, religious
intolerance, and a host of other prejudices exist
there. Close your eyes and let love overwhelm and purge those isolationist, sectarian
thoughts... and the borders that the politicians have drawn will become defunct and
meaningless scribblings by squabbling politicians! Like Catherine, Shu-te, said more commerce is bringing us closer... that
coupled with two other important things will bring us hope and a world without borders...
These are 1) simply learning about eachother... we are not that different! We are the
same! AND 2) let our political leaders know that their rhetoric ... as between Chinese and
Taiwanese leaders... Where Taiwanese leader Lee Tung Hui is threatening to declare
independence and the Chinese leaders are bickering over who will be in charge of Relief
operations – when the people are suffering.—Their rhetoric is no longer welcome
– we do not want any Hitlers hiding under the mask of patriotism -- posing as our
great leaders -- isolating us from eachother... and driving us to war against our fellow
human beings!!!
It
might be an utopian idea to some – the endless warfare in our history – Events
like Kosovo and East Timor would lead us to think so definitely -- but close your eyes...
you will discover that in the endless world of your mind there are no boundaries...
nothing is impossible... A world without borders is realistic and the only sensible thing!
Interdependence and global trade is shaping a
more unified world today than ever before – why should we still have to borders to
impede our natural interactions? Look around
you ... there are many people from many nations here. I think it is great! Smile and say
that we are all human beings -- children of the
same mother earth!
I
wish to plant a seed of hope in your heart... that is our International Club at our
university. We are friends in our club bonded by a kinship of love and borders will not
separate us. And today on the 3rd of November, 1999, at the end of the millenium, I
declare our club as a world without borders... I dream of a world without borders... and I
pray that this seed will grow in your heart and you will dream of a world that we will one
day have.... filled with less hate and warfare! – A world Without Borders!
"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the
loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism -- how passionately I hate
them!" --Albert Einstein
(At least someone agrees with me.: NOVO)
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