Identity vs Nationality

What is the difference betweeen a Japanese and a Chinese? An American and an Iranian or an Indonesian and a Singaporean?

We are people, we look different, we behave differently, we live differently but despite all that, we are still human beings. Identity has always played a central part in the lives of every being. A label that determines our self worth. An expression that makes one unique from the other. Is that why its important to set aside nationalities among different people?

An American is not a Briton and a Dick is no Moby even if the 2 are of the same nationality. It is important to identify individuals, but to differentiate people based on geographical boundaries sounds irrelevant. As individuals, we need to have names because we don't want to call each other human A, human B, etc. That is the simplest reason among a list of others. Identification is important and that includes acknowledging where we come from (nationality?), but if nationalitites only result in conflicts is it still useful?

In its best, the labelling can be called euphemism. At its worst, its called stereotyping. The phrase 'every Iranian is a terrorist' reeks of such twisted bigotry that it makes one wonder how the person can even come up with such a conclusion in the first place. Ignorance? Perhaps.

Another problem can be found easily enough when countries fight over territories. Especially when its just over a few square kilometres worth of land in the middle of the ocean. 'Infringement on national sovereignty and pride' are the 2 favourite reasons, but I can't stop wondering why governments would trouble themselves with such petty arguments. Are they not busy enough with the trouble of having to take care of their respective countries? The islands are not even inhabited and there are no resources to be exploited. If its about 'pride', just how proud can the government get over some useless piece of island? Pride in politics apparently means 'astounding foolishness'.

People pride themselves with their status of sovereignty, but are we not all citizens of the earth? Why not realise that we owe a living to the soil that we are standing on and not the letters that form the name of the country depicting 'identity'. Why waste efforts upholding identities that serve no purpose but foster bickerings and feelings of animosity? Wake up earthlings!