Intergalactic Summit

http://community.eveonline.com/news/news-channels/world-news/minmatar-residents-of-federation-express-growing-concern/

"However, it is not merely cultural misunderstandings that has Minmatar within the Federation concerned. Ramius Throten, a Minmatar who has been living in the Federation for several years, explained why he is unsurprised by the shootings. 'Even though most Gallente welcome us, we are still looked at as oddities.'

He added, 'We're the outsiders; we're marrying their children or buying their property. Because there are so many of us, they see us changing their culture and are afraid. For all their talk about being inclusive, what some people want is for everyone to become them. Few people are hostile, but it's very dehumanizing.'"

"Gallente citizens of matarri ethnicity" : it's my understanding of the Federation's ideals that it shouldn't be a problem. In fact, as I understand those ideals, it should simply be phrased as "Gallente citizens" and one's ethnicity and cultural background simply shrugged off as his personal history.

It's not the case, obviously. Minmatar have lived in the Federation for quite a bit of time now, yet are still treated like they arrived last week.

I guess some will blame the Federation, saying that its ideals are a fallacy, a sham, that its inclusiveness only extend to those who accept to be shaped by its mould.
Some will blame the Minmatar, stiff-necked and unable to compromise.
And of course, some will blame both.

I'm not sure who to blame, I'm not even sure there is someone to blame. But it's obvious something, somewhere, went the wrong way.

Ignorance. Nothing but ignorance. I'm honestly ashamed to see a student from my Alma Mater speak in such a way. I'm even more ashamed to see what the meaning of the Federation is being twisted every day because of a few idiots who don't understand another culture. You'd think we'd learn from history with the Caldari; just because someone's customs are different does not mean they should not live within the Federation.

We're a melting pot, a big cluster of cultures from everywhere. That's what the Federation is supposed to be about. Walk around Caille and you might think you're on an old fashion Gallente street one minute, then turn a corner and swear you were on Athra the next, then turn ANOTHER corner and wonder when the hell you jumped onto a street on New Caldari Prime. As long as you obey the written laws of the land and your customs don't break them (i.e. murder to sacrifice a human or something), then said culture shouldn't be targeted or seen as weird.

Also, the Quafe worker got me a bit too. Patient? They should be patient with US? WE should be patient and accepting of those who come TO the Federation. The more different the traditions (within law), the better we all come out. More education, more enrichment, more brotherhood.

To me, the Federation isn't just about democracy or the Constitution or some such. It was supposed to be an example of what can happen when cultures and races come and live together under one banner without giving up what makes themselves, them. And by taking those traditions and values and mixing them all together, you come out with something complex, unique, and wonderful.

Sadly, I've been slowly seeing ultra nationalism reminiscent of the Caldari War era creep back into view. It's not wide spread, but it's there. Just look at the sentiments of come of my fellow citizens. We're not ALL like that I'll tell you now, but it sucks to see even a few thinking that way. What's happening to my home.

Yes I know this isn't laced with profanity like my petition, but I'm too tired to get angry. I've been working 48 hours straight and I'm still feeling weird despite a nap. That and I can't get angry about this anymore. I'm just ashamed.

But for those of you who may be a fan of my bluntness, I'll be happy to oblige.

**** racists asshats.

While I can understand your irritation Anslo, I'm far more concerned at the moment with the trend amongst new capsuleers to take the news from the local and interplanetary newsfeeds, choose short and heavily biased quotes from them, and then post them to IGS as if the articles were their own.

The newsfeed is there for a reason people. Let the professionals handle it.
Remark upon the news if you wish, but simply re posting it as if it were your own is at best plagiarism and at worst an attempt at propoganda.

---

Seven Tribes.
One Matari People.

Fairly sure these are here to facilitate discussion. That and that only a very dense individual could mistake people citing a source as 'plagiarizing'.

The only culture within the Federation which is expected to compromise its own identity and bend over backwards to accommodate everybody else is, sadly enough, the Gallente culture itself.

I'm with Halete man. I don't see it as bending over. I see it as augmenting ourselves.

Do you prefer twin-spirit? Maybe girl?

Perhaps fool? Although fool might not be considered polite in your particular circles, it is certainly a deserving title for yourself.

I prefer to block you, Captain. Fly safe.

If I may return this to topic I find it very tiring how people can't or won't respect authority, those of status what have you. The news link here goes on about how a revered matari was injured and the gallenteans shrug it off.

If you were to take two ditch diggers and one throws a handful of dirt into a co workers face he would get a punch in the noes and rightly so.
If one was to throw a handful of dirt at the foreman he would be fired.
If one was to throw a handful of dirt at a passing law enforcement officer they would be arrested.

The federation some times is to quick to paint everyone equal but at the same time wants the order that goes with respect of authority. If that authority is not recognized or even distracted it should be punished if some was to throw a handful or dirt at them.

I'm not advocating that I respect the Matari traditions regarding their status system but to out and out dismiss it is foolish at best.