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IDENTIFICATION & CHANGING IDENTITIES

1. A young Catholic man was fighting against his younger brother becausethe latter took his shoes without his permission. In a very angry mood, he

insulted and assaulted his brother both physically and verbally,

threatening to kill him if ever again he would dare to touch his things.(my things v/s your things)

2. One month later, upon being informed that a Muslim shopkeeper had analtercation with his younger brother regarding a defective item purchased,the young Catholic man rushed into the shop. He threatened the man to

bash him up if ever he would dare to insult and fight against his

brother, his blood. He then angrily asked his younger brother never to

set foot again in any Muslim shop. (my blood relationship, my religion

v/s others)3. One month later, in a football match opposing the village team against an

opponent village, the younger and the shopkeeper were part of the villageteam. The elder brother supported his village team and encouraged

everyone to kill the other team and to save their villages name andhonour. When victory was ensured, he even embraced the shopkeeper,who had scored the two winning goals. (our village pride against theother)

4. One month later, the country went on war against a rival country and allpersons of different religious and ethnic appurtenances in the country

joined the army to protect their motherland. They vouched to kill anyonewho dared to violate their territorial integrity and supremacy. After

killing many rival soldiers, they came back to their country and village,acclaimed as national heroes. A big feast was organised, and everyone

participated happily to celebrate their national victory. The vanquished

countrys soldiers pledged to settle score with them by seeking alliance

and help with the other enemy countries. They conspired and hatched adiabolical plan to overcome the government and take control of the

country and its riches. (our country & national security against theirs)5. One month later, some extra-terrestrial visitors alighted in their

spaceships on planet earth. They were welcomed as friendly visitors by

the different governments of the world. But unfortunately, the aliens had

a diabolical plan to use human beings as a source of fuel. They keptchasing and hunting people all over the world. To save their lives, peoplejoined forces against the common enemies of humanity. They instantly

set aside their attachment to their dogmas, beliefs, racist and patriotic

primordial philosophies, etc and worked together in order to eliminate thealien foes who were wreaking terror and havoc on earth. (our commonhuman survival against a terrible external calamity).

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These instances clearly indicate how we tend to invest a sense of self inthings and people in different circumstances of life through identification

and separation. Identification leads to attachment and a sense ofbelonging/ownership whereas separation through segregative notions and

beliefs result in conflict, friction and self-contraction.

Koosraj KORA VENCIAH

koosradha@gmail.comMauritius