National identity

Many people consider nationality to be merely based on geographical reasoning, where they were born, or where they live. I do not disagree with this idea, as a matter of fact, I would probably give the same answer if asked what nationality means to me.

Generally speaking, no one can choose his or her nationality or ethnic preference. For example: a child is born in an Indonesian family. Later he or she lives outside Indonesia for many years, becomes a citizen of another country, or even forgets how to speak Indonesian. Inevitably though, he or she will always have a relationship with this nation; it is his country of origin. Indonesian is his nationality.

We are at liberty to choose our country of residence, our citizenship, but not our roots, our nationality. We have boundless freedom of choice to ignore our origins, but we cannot change it. Our ethnicity and nationality are given factors and they run in our blood. They are part of our identity.

Once a year we celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. We raise a red-and-white flag, we sing the Independence song, we listen to the Proclamation of Independence being recited, we are reminded of our nationality. If I must say, the celebration of Independence Day is more than just a celebration of "breaking free" of past colonialism, the freedom to voice our own opinions, the freedom to make our own decisions, and the freedom to create our own destiny. It is also a reminder of our identity.

FELY MULIADI

Jakarta