Welsh nationalism - the real thing and the "plastic" fake

He who sees enemies where there are none is no better off than he who cannot recognise an enemy when he sees one.

Sometimes I get sick and tired of hearing certain people blaming all our country's problems on the English. True, centuries of English misrule has done us a lot of harm, but we are now in a position where Wales once again has its own government. We are the ones who choose that government, we are the ones who can influence the policies of government at local and national level. The Welsh Assembly and the Welsh Government are answerable to the Welsh people. We have gained a measure of political independence, and provided that it is the will of the majority of the Welsh people, full independence will come in time.

Our country will become what we make it. Blaming the English for all our problems may give certain people a convenient scapegoat, but it also absolves those same people of the responsibility we all have to make our country the place we want it to be. I would say that most of the problems facing our country now are of our own making. It is up to us to work together to improve things in Wales. Adopting a siege mentality and blaming all our problems on the English solves absolutely nothing. In this present day, our greatest enemy is not the enemy without; it is the enemy within.

Do we want to see the Welsh language survive and thrive? The solutions will be found in Wales, among the Welsh people. Do we want political independence? Again, that decision will be the decision of the Welsh people, not of the English. Our country will become what we make it.

Forgive my ranting, but I do get rather annoyed with the siege mentality of so many "plastic nationalists" or "armchair patriots". By that term I mean those who constantly prattle on about fighting back against the English, indulge in a little bit of metaphorical sabre-rattling over their beer, look back fondly on the days of the Free Wales Army, but actually do nothing that is of any real use. The time for military action against the English came to an end a long time ago. If and when Wales regains its independence, we will need to work together with our closest neighbour, England, as equals and friends. Hatred of the English is not only counter-productive, it is as racist as the insults to Wales that certain plastic nationalists get all hot under the collar about (but again, without doing anything of note about it).

I'm a Welsh patriot and nationalist, and extremely proud of that fact. However, I believe in what has been termed by some polycentric nationalism, which holds that my nation is equal to but no better than others, deserving full political independence but without domination of others. I have to make that clear, because when the word "nationalism" is used, some people conjure up images of the monocentric nationalism of 1940s Germany, 19th century England etc, which is really just another term for imperialism, the belief that one's nation is superior to others and the desire to subjugate "inferior" nations. That sort of "nationalism" is anathema to me, and I would fight against it tooth and nail. I am firmly committed to a polycentric nationalist vision of Wales. We are no better than anyone else - whether Welsh, English, Scottish, Somali, Chinese or whatever else, we are all human beings and none of us is intrinsically better than the others.

Do you want the Welsh language to thrive? Join Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg and actually do something to help make that vision a reality. Report abuses of language legislation to the Welsh Language Board, or the Commissioner who will soon replace them. Write letters to the press to raise awareness. Join our campaigns of non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to protect the language. Be pro-active.

Do you want political independence? Join or vote for Plaid Cymru, and also engage in the ongoing necessity of winning the hearts and minds of our fellow countrymen and women who, for whatever reasons, are still sceptical of the idea of independence for Wales. That sounds more boring than some of the fantastic visions of guerilla warfare and striking back at the English that some plastic nationalists talk incessantly about, but it's through such unglamorous things as these that the metaphorical battle will be won. As I once heard a prominent activist within the nationalist movement say, "Rhaid ymladd brwydrau'r presennol, nid y gorffennol," which translates as, "We must fight the battles of the present, not of the past."

What Wales needs most is for its people to wake up from their apathy and realise that we can only build our nation together. We all have a responsibility to take part. Rousing speeches and plastic nationalist sentiment are all very well, but in the end they accomplish nothing in the real world. Sabre-rattling may look and sound impressive, but it's peaceful and hands-on activism that will really change things.

Yes, we should remember our national heroes and martyrs. We should remember Llywelyn, Glyndwr and all those who shed their blood for our country. We should remember Tryweryn and resist any repeat of the terrible events that led to the drowing of Capel Celyn. It is right and fitting that we should do so. Plastic nationalists, though, hark back to a mythical golden age so much that they miss out on the reality we are faced with today.

Llywelyn and Glyndwr are long dead. The people they fought against are also long dead. There is no Welsh monarchy any more, and even if there was I would campaign for its abolition because I am a republican. Llywelyn and Glyndwr were great men of their time, but their time is past. Living in the past accomplishes nothing.

What's the point of this rant? My bottom line is this: if you call yourself a nationalist, get involved in the unglamorous business of building our nation and reinforcing our culture. Don't waste your time being a plastic nationalist, looking and sounding like the real thing but accomplishing nothing. Cut the rhetoric and get your hands dirty for the cause.