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  • Essay / Nationalism: angel or devil in disguise? - 663

    Nationalism unites people of different classes and beliefs. It can create harmony and give people a sense of identity, but nationalism is also a tool used by dictators, it can create violent forces and divide people from different geographic areas. Nelson Mandela defeated apartheid, unified his country and inspired the world. Mandela was prepared to die for his cause. After 27 years of imprisonment, the government finally agreed to end apartheid. Shortly after his release, black people gained the right to vote and Mandela was elected president. By pursuing his own national interest, he led two different groups of people who in the past hated each other to work together and accept each other. Mahatma Gandhi was the leader and freedom fighter of India. Gandhi's vision of a free India was based on religious pluralism, but it was challenged by a different Muslim nationalism that demanded a distinct Muslim homeland carved out of India. When the British Indian Empire was divided, religious violence broke out. Gandhi took over the leadership of the Congress and began a steady escalation of demands until the Indian National Congress declared India's independence. When the British forced people to sell their crops, people then turned to Gandhi, who was a supporter of Ubuntu, meaning that everyone is good, he pursued a strategy of non-violent protest and showed them a revelation and obtained a grant from the authorities. . It is therefore evident that a nation pursuing its own national interests can lead to internationalism. Nationalism can indeed have positive results, Nelson Mandela not only defeated apartheid, he led a nation. Gandhi led India to independence and inspired civil rights and freedom movements at home. However, in 1994, the Rwandan president's plane was shot down. The Hutus blamed the Tutsis for this incident, and massacres broke out across the country. In total, around 800,000 people were killed, 90% of them Tutsis. Some blame the UN peacekeeping forces, because if they had done their job, this would not have happened. This proves once again in both examples that the pursuit of a nation's national interest has led to ultranationalism, conflict and violence. According to history, nationalism can be a force of heroism and honor or of vengeance and conquest. It can unite a nation or tear it apart. Nelson Mandela united a nation, as did Mahatma Gandhi. Adolf Hitler did the exact opposite. I believe that non-violent protest was one of the best ways to achieve peace: “Be the change you want to see in the world. » –Mahatma Gandhi.