Name changes and National Identity

 

Name changes speak to a new identity. Name changes have been happening around the world since time immemorial. This is not a new phenomenon.

World maps are updated to accommodate any new changes to towns, cities, rivers or countries. Marriage is another example. Our one daughter was recently married and chose to take her new husband's surname. Two have become one - a new identity - and the name change reflects this. Name changes are almost always connected to a new identity. In adoption, a child who is placed in a new family will take the surname of that family. In the Christian faith we see in the Bible how God changed the names of certain people for specific identity purposes or for new direction/new beginnings.

Identity is the distinguishing characteristics or personality traits that are specific to a person, couple, family, religion, group of people or country.

National identity is a sense of nation as a cohesive whole, as represented by distinctive traditions, culture and language. (Oxford Dictionary)

A national identity can be built around liberal and democratic political values and around the shared experiences that provide the connective tissue allowing diverse communities to thrive. (www.abc.net.au)

As a collective phenomenon, national identity can arise as a direct result of the presence of elements from the 'common points' in people's daily lives : national symbols (flags, anthem, flowers, animals, statues, food, dress, music, names, landmarks and places), language (In South Africa 11 languages), the nation's history, national consciousness and cultural artifacts. (Wikipedia.org) (Italics - author's own comments)

The history of South Africa shows that different approaches have been employed to develop South African national identities. These approaches, however, could not produce a single national identity. When the Govt of National Unity (GNU) came to power after the first democratic national elections in April 1994, a new chapter was opened for the country to search for a new South Africanism. (https.//www.jstor.org/stable/41147123)

When there are societal power shifts in countries, name changes will often follow to align with the new identity that is being formed.

In South Africa we have the sad legacy of Apartheid and the national identity had been previously shaped by those in power. In 1994 a power shift took place and Apartheid was legally dismissed. It became critical to form a new national identity, which meant getting rid of anything that linked the present to the oppressive past. (I realise that not all name changes have been directly linked to Apartheid or colonization. Sometimes it's a case of newly acknowledging someone or a group of people.)

"National identity is a strong indicator of the level of social cohesion or polarization in a country." M. F Ramutsindela 

Our new flag stands for 'Unity in diversity, nation building and social cohesion.' (Gov.org.za) It makes sense then that anything that does not align with this vision and unity should be changed/replaced if we have any hope of finding a shared national identity.

We have already had many name changes, from streets to towns to cities to airports etc that people have become very accustomed to and normalized in our sub conscious. These are often renamed after people who have been heroes or icons in bringing about change and fighting for freedom from oppression.

Nathi Mthethwa had this to say, "It is part of transformation purposes. It is a critical component of the heritage landscape as a whole. The names of places we live in reflect the identity and cultural heritage of the people of South Africa."

'Own lane' or individual thinking versus 'big picture' or collective thinking is what can destroy transformation processes and unity that have already been achieved.

I live in a City and Province where there have been some recent name changes and this has had some positive acknowledgment of it from some, but huge pushback and indifference from many. I find this sad and hope that people would critically evaluate their responses. Let's look at this through a new lens this Heritage Day 2021 and rather welcome and embrace the changes that go towards finding a shared national identity. By using names that acknowledge those who fought against the past, names that acknowledge people who were first indigenous to this land and names that work towards the collective whole of this new South Africa we are still trying to build together. I know change can be difficult and it can take time for it to assimilate inside of us, but let's not look at it as a cancelling or a loss, but rather as an addition towards something new, something that will draw us forward into a far better, inclusive and diverse future. New beginnings, new hopes and new dreams for all.

Sounds the call to come together.
And united we shall stand.
Let us live and strive for freedom, in South Africa our land.

Justice is at the core of love

 

Justice is at the core of love. We have heard how we should live and treat others - Love must be sincere, be devoted to one another in brotherly love, honour one another above yourselves, share with God's people who are in need, practice hospitality, live in harmony with one another, to live at peace with everyone if at all possible, to do what is right in the eyes of everyone, be willing to associate with people of low position. To let no debt outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Let us behave decently and clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. (Parts of Romans 12 and 13). That's quite a comprehensive and easy to understand list. This should be easy to do. Let's spur one another on to live lives that Jesus calls us to live.

We can see above many specifics as to what the characteristics of a Jesus follower are and the Bible is filled with many more. In 1 Corinthians 16:14 we are reminded to do everything in love. Everything!

I wanted to understand a little bit more about what this word justice means. In the dictionary we read that it means 'being just, fairness, moral rightness, rightful, lawful, genuine respect for people, a concern for peace.'

Acting justly in life is being faithful to the original concept/intentions that God had for this world. We are acting true to ourselves as representatives of his kingdom when we treat people justly and fairly. (Terry Weber)

Martin Luther King says this - "Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love."

Cornel West says "Justice is what love looks like in public." It is seen in our behaviour and treatment of people. Jesus instructed us to love our neighbours as ourselves which means we acknowledge and accept their intrinsic value and worth. Justice and equity morphs into the language of love, compassion and kindness. We don't say 'be just to your brother/sister', but rather we say, 'be kind, or love your brother/sister.'

We recently had a 'love in action' week at our church where we basically used the Love Languages (one for each day) of encouragement (words of affirmation), acts of service, gifts, quality time and showing honour to someone. It was a fantastic initiative. Those who engaged had great testimonies to share. I also found it very meaningful, but I also had the same feeling that many experience around Mandela Day in South Africa where we have come to say, 'Make every day a Mandela day.' Here's a great quote by Nelson Mandela, "No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." Dr Caroline Leaf, the well renowned neuroscientist says 'we are wired for love.' We are called to actively love every day and to do everything in love. 'Make every day an acts of love day.' Another thought I had was that the term 'racial justice' is not often included into our actions of love towards our neighbours. 

Jordan Black says "Racial justice is revival." It absolutely could change our world into something like we have never seen it before. We have been so wrong in the past in treating people of colour as 'less than'. We have believed a lie and we need to bring the truth back into the picture and restore humanity to all people. We need to let the world feel the Father's love through our love actions and feel his blood flow through our veins as we reach out in love. Justice should spring out of love. Some wrongs need to be put right on the back of asking for forgiveness. The world should see Jesus in our eyes, words and actions. Our actions need to be about restoring that which God originally intended for this world. My life should tell the world of who Jesus is. The truth of God's word helps us recognise the lie.

We have heard this statement over the last year (2020) where there have been many global marches to bring awareness to racial injustice, 'no justice, no peace.' and Martin Luther King helps us further understand this when he said, "true peace is not merely the absence of tension, it is the presence of justice."

This kind of disruption has brought global change and we should take note that at the heart of what is being asked for by people of colour is to be treated as equal. As Jesus followers we should whole heartedly support that call and make sure it happens. There should be no debate.

In Micah 6:8 we are told to 'do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God.' Mercy can also be seen as kindness. Compassion leads us towards kindness and mercy. God showed us the greatest mercy when he died on the cross and offers us forgiveness from sin. It's his kindness/mercy that leads us to repentance. He expects us to show mercy to others too. We do this by showing that we belong to his kingdom by living out a different set of standards/guidelines/values. We get to be salt and light. As a Christ follower we should be leading the way as to what being like Jesus looks like - and love and mercy are the guiding signposts. We will be known by our love. He is a faithful God who set up an everlasting covenant with us. We show our love for him by our obedience to his commands and our faithfulness in serving him. We should look very different. There should be no confusion as to who we follow by the way we live. How are we doing with our thoughts, actions and words towards those who look different to us? It's in you Jesus that I live and move and have my being. What does that mean? To be in Jesus is to follow him and his ways, words and commands. We need to be responding differently in how we treat other people. Every person on our earth has been made in the image of God. We respond very differently when our very being is in him.

Jesus was humble. His leadership style was servant led. He never treated anyone as less than anyone else. All are equal in his sight. Humility leaves us open to life long learning and wisdom. It opens the door to truth. It makes us aware of who we truly are and how much we are in need of God in our life. It allows us to lean in and listen and learn even if a new truth/understanding/piece of information is uncomfortable at first, even if it shows up sin and wrongdoing that needs correction and a new way of doing things. The last part of that verse says to walk humbly with our God. Walking and talking with God shows deep relationship and for that to continue, humility needs to exist. A statement I have often quoted that comes from some training my husband does is, 'we need each other to see all there is to see.' That statement is all about vulnerability, humility and interdependence. If we could function like that in our world with people of all colours, nationalities and cultures we truly would have revival on our hands. That's my dream, hope and vision to see that while I am still in the land of the living.