How Do You Know When Your Nation’s Self-Respect Is Low?

Soran Baram Ali – Activist 

National self-respect is not demonstrated through slogans, speeches, or propaganda. Rather, it is proven through our attitudes, actions, and the way we treat ourselves and our nation.

Self-respect means recognising one’s own worth and dignity, respecting one’s identity, language, and culture, refusing to remain silent in the face of oppression and injustice, and never sacrificing the interests of one’s nation for personal gain or temporary benefits.

Unfortunately, certain phenomena within our society reflect a lack of awareness and a weakness in our sense of national self-respect. These range from excessive flattery and submission to officials to remaining silent in the face of injustice, neglecting our language and identity, and belittling the capabilities of our own nation.

The problem is not that we live in an interconnected world or learn from the experiences of other nations and cultures. Rather, the problem arises when we forget who we are, lose sight of our own worth, and blindly follow every trend and behaviour without critical thinking or evaluation.

A nation with a strong sense of self-respect does not live in submission to powerful personalities, remain silent in the face of injustice, or suffer from feelings of inferiority. Instead, it is characterised by awareness, independent judgement, self-respect, and the protection of its national values and interests.

Therefore, we must critically and courageously examine certain behaviours and phenomena within our society, not to insult or humiliate ourselves, but to identify our shortcomings, strengthen our national consciousness, and establish a stronger foundation for respecting ourselves and our nation.

For this reason, I would like to highlight the following seven points as an attempt to identify behaviours and phenomena that may weaken our national self-respect and that require conscious and responsible attention.

1. Excessive Flattery and Glorification of Officials

For example, writing posts excessively praising political officials or changing one’s profile picture to that of a particular leader.

Any rational person understands that a public official is a servant of the people, not a sacred figure. Respect should be based on performance and achievements, not blind loyalty or submission.

2. Remaining Silent in the Face of Oppression and Injustice

Silence in the face of injustice can amount to complicity in wrongdoing.

Likewise, supporting an incompetent or corrupt individual simply because they are a relative or friend undermines the foundations of justice within society.

This problem has reached the point where some individuals are even willing to sell their votes in exchange for a small amount of money.

3. Blindly Imitating Foreign Traditions and Cultures

Blindly adopting lifestyles, fashions, and cultural practices that have no connection to your history or social environment may reflect a lack of independent identity.

For example, excessively celebrating and taking pride in occasions belonging to other nations, despite having no historical or cultural significance to your own society, such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Christmas trees, Santa Claus costumes, and similar traditions.

4. Failing to Take a Stand Against the Interests of Countries That Oppose Kurdish Identity and Territory

For example, when Turks do not even recognise you as a human being, yet you mock the idea of economically boycotting Turkish products, even though such a boycott could represent one of the highest expressions of national consciousness.

Or consider Ibrahim Tatlıses, who sings in support of the occupation of Afrin, while you continue playing his songs loudly in your car and shopping centres throughout the day.

Similarly, your wife and daughter may spend the entire day watching Turkish television dramas, yet you feel embarrassed or reluctant to write even a single comment condemning the massacres allegedly committed by Ahmed al-Sharaa against the Kurds of Rojava, where four to five thousand Kurds are claimed to have been killed.

These are just a few examples.

5. Failing to Take Pride in One’s Mother Tongue, Identity, and Cultural Heritage

Using foreign languages merely to impress others has become a widespread phenomenon.

Some people believe that speaking a foreign language or inserting foreign expressions into everyday conversations within their own country is a sign of sophistication and intellectual superiority.

For example, certain female models and television presenters frequently use English expressions such as “change colour” and “experience” instead of their Kurdish equivalents.

Similarly, many companies and businesses are given foreign names.

Some parents send their children to English-language schools and raise them through a foreign language, yet fail to teach them to take pride in their Kurdish identity, culture, mother tongue, and heritage.

6. Discouraging One Another and Belittling Ourselves

One of the most dangerous phenomena is when Kurds themselves make statements such as:

“We will never become a capable nation.”

Or:

“That’s just how Kurds are.”

Other examples include undermining successful young people, insulting locally produced goods and achievements, and spreading negativity across social media.

A person with genuine self-respect consistently strives to uplift their nation rather than contribute to damaging its reputation and confidence.

7. Turning Unworthy and Incompetent Individuals into Social Media Celebrities

Unfortunately, due to the irresponsibility and lack of cultural awareness among many people who do not understand the true meaning of self-respect, hundreds of individuals with little or no meaningful contribution to society have become famous and wealthy through social media, gaining enormous attention, influence, and engagement.

If more people truly understood the meaning of self-respect and personal dignity, they would not have contributed to the popularity, promotion, and glorification of such individuals.