I genuinely am! What does it mean to you?
Ok. There have been studies initially on why kids join gangs etc. The general passage of people tends to be in 3 simple progressions of phases.
1) Identity
2) Community
3) Purpose
When young, you tend to have external identifiers provide you with the answers. You are an American, British, a Scouser, Manc, Christain, Muslim or a Manchester United supporter. You are generally born into it so it's a default identity and thus the community you relate to etc.
But they are external identifiers -- and by default, there was nothing that you had to work on to find out who you are.
It's a default setting. But is that really just who you are? Is there more to you than something that has been lumped onto you?
Many are just happy with it since it doesn't need to deep dive into some vague discovery or long journey of self-discovery, a nebulous journey at that. But for some surely there is more to one's self--- other than some default setting?
But the more cynical folks out there tend to take advantage of such 'arrested development' -- that's how the idea of patriotism, nationalism, sectarianism etc exploit such external identifiers. You take it further, some will have a sense of exceptionalism or tribalism that they can sub-humanise other groups which can lead to violence or to the extreme, genocide.
Your true identity has to be internalised and not determined by some simple passport, holy book, location of birth or member of some gang/community. And not some default setting.
Surely who you are is a lot more complicated/sophisticated but more nebulous rather than some passport or badge.
So what does Manchester United mean to me -- its a 3D answer. From childhood memories to a sense of community. It was all through my passage of life. But its not just who I am.
I am an ensalada of a person. There are both external and equally as many internal identifiers.
