A long-standing and nonsensical debate has plagued us Lebanese concerning who we are as a nation. Are we Arab, or Levantine? European or Asian? Do we speak Arabic or Lebanese? This debate underlies almost all political ideology in the country and typically splits the country across clearly sectarian lines. It also effects how we interpret history and often what historic events we choose to mention and how we portray them.
In my view all this is unnatural and stands in the way of building a healthy and vibrant civil society. We need to understand that it is critically important for us to have one Lebanese story that we all are attached to. Its not who we are that is the problem, its how we portray ourselves.
The solution as I see it is not to force one view on all. Instead, it should be:
1. to de-link politics from these issues;
2. distinguish verifiable truth from myth;
3. build a Lebanese identity that is all-inclusive rather than exclusive.
When you think about it, does it really matter whether we are Arab or not? What does that even mean? If it means we speak Arabic, then its evident that we are. If it means that we are part of an “Arab nation”, then we tread on thinner ice. So, lets just cut through the baloney: we are Lebanese, an Arabic speaking nation. Period!
Our neighbor is Syria, not Austria! Lets not live in denial. But that certainly should not mean that we need to accept Syrian domination. We are a free and independent nation and we pride ourselves on upholding the values of a liberal polity. That is who we are. Even the most conservative strands in Lebanese society will accept that our constitution is sacred and is the ultimate authority.
Are we Phoenician? Arab? Persian? French? Crusader? Who cares! We are Lebanese. We are none and all of these. In the end, that should neither bind us nor give us false pride. Let us build our identity today to be seen as we wish to be seen as a nation.
The reality is that despite all the political and sectarian disagreement, we are very much united around a Lebanese identity in reality though we have been unable to express what that identity is. I can go to any part of the country and relate easily to any Lebanese, despite differences in dialect and religion. We also all love our country in a way that makes us feel proud and at home wherever we are in Lebanon.
Very well said! Exactly my sentiments.
Dalal
Emir Bachir,
Agree with Dalal, very well said. Cuts through a lot of nonsense I have read on some of the Lebanese blogs over the past year.
you are right in saying that the debate is non-sensical. It really gets on my nerves when people start arguing about who lived where three thousand years ago, as if it made any difference. However, the point of the debate is not to get to an answer. These people are not waiting for an answer. The debate is not really a debate; it is just an excuse to articulate a sense of tribal identity. It is a way for one group of people to legitimize their eternal separation from another group of people. The more mythical and unproven it is the better. It is disgusting but it is reality. You can’t de-link it from politics, because it is 100% political. I’m afraid the bulk of Lebanese are not interested in an all-inclusive identity. The social force that can build such an identity is non-existent, or weak beyond words.