Identity in the Scottish Diaspora

[neloon]

We are rapidly entering a TRIPPING HAZARD zone.

If you value the information being exchanged in this thread stay well away from this line.


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I was afraid of that, Rex, and therefore I shall make no reply to any of the responses to my dissertation above beyond apologising sincerely for any hurt caused which was certainly not my intention.
May I, instead, pick up on something David said a while back - that will be OK as we agree he is a gentleman and thick-skinned.
" Wow, I hadn't appreciated exactly what the population of Scotland is. I knew that in terms of geography it was about the size of South Carolina, but I'm struck by the fact that the population of North Carolina is almost twice that of Scotland."
Now, should this lack of knowledge bother us? I suspect it may not be atypical of XMarkers. The vast majority of XMarkers are US citizens who are, in a way, self-appointed ambassadors for Scotland in the US. I wish you knew more about the real Scotland of today rather than what might be gleaned from dreamy ancestral echoes.

When I was young, the BBC broadcast weekly "Letter from America" continuing for 58 years
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alistair_Cooke
In the UK, that was our gentle, informative, sometimes whimsical window on the US.
The topics were current events in the US or sometimes just whatever came into Alistair Cooke's head that week but always very fair and unbiased. It seems to me that XMarks really needs a "Letter from Scotland" to help most of you be good ambassadors. Now I appreciate that many of you do what you can to keep up with events in Scotland by whatever means you can but it's not the same as from the horse's mouth. Any thoughts?

Alan

[jumary]

Alan, Can you suggest a source for us to learn about the Scotland of today? I do think that many of here would probably be happy to learn more. Perhaps a writer or blog or podcast? Technology gives us so many options. I also believe that XMTS itself provides a uniquely accurate view of Scotland.

[Jock Scot]

People's feelings regarding clan tartan and clan badges might suggest otherwise.

Really? I can't say that that I know anyone over here that gives it a thought on a day to day basis. If and when the thought does occur its more of a "its what it is" type of thing, rather than a "I AM A MACONION!" and I am wearing the tartan and badge to prove it!

[neloon]

Alan, Can you suggest a source for us to learn about the Scotland of today? I do think that many of here would probably be happy to learn more. Perhaps a writer or blog or podcast? Technology gives us so many options. I also believe that XMTS itself provides a uniquely accurate view of Scotland.

Now you've set me a puzzle because nothing springs to mind of the kind you suggest. Maybe my fellow-Scots have ideas. The BBC is the usual goto because of being (supposedly) unbiased but very little of the Scottish output is available overseas. Here is today's (rather depressing)* news but it's not really focussed on what XMarkers would want, is it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/scotland
It will also give occasional glimpses of what we see about the US. If you go to "More" > Alba you will get the Gaelic news. You have to watch because the site keeps trying to send you back to the UK news.
I think maybe, in a very airy-fairy way, I had thought that an occasional "letter" from Scots XMarkers might be helpful but it would be quite a burden on the few of us even if it were just a series of links. Obviously everyone could join in. What do Jock, Alex(Cesna), Rex(Thistledown), Peter(figheadair) and others think?
* maybe this bit's cheerful
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37789620
Alan

[Jock Scot]

I think you have it about right Alan.

I have been turning an idea over in my head. I wonder, if we could have a spot on this website of something like "Steve Ashton/? asks Neloon/Thistledown/DavidPope/whoever 5/10/15/20 questions", where the questions (mutually agreed beforehand) are discussed in depth and with absolute honesty. It might answer some tricky questions and inform the rest?

[Luke MacGillie]

So to Jock and others in Scotland, do you know that there have been St Andrew's Societies here in the Americas since the 1750's. One of the oldest is the New York St Andrew's Society. You can check out their webpage here: http://standrewsny.org/

Now here is an excerpt from their Constitution from the late 18th Century: “to provide relief of natives of Scotland and their descendants who may be in want or distress, to provide educational assistance to natives of Scotland and their descendants, to conduct and sponsor such other and further activities, as may be deemed appropriate or desirable by the Society and as from time to time permitted by Federal and State Law for a Not-for-Profit Corporation, to foster or encourage good will, understanding and communication between the people of the United States and the people of Scotland and to promote such social intercourse among the members of the Society as may be necessary and appropriate to, and consistent with, such purposes, including fund raising to sustain them.”

I believe it could it be said that our attempting to remain "Scots" even while forging a life outside of Scotland predates the founding of our Country.

[Jock Scot]

I know of such institutions in a vague sort of way, so it would be unfair to comment too deeply. Nevertheless in spite of the original good intentions they are obviously failing in educating Americans with Scottish genes what is really going on in Scotland these days and nor are they understanding what the Scots actually think!

[GrainReaper]

I think you have it about right Alan.

I have been turning an idea over in my head. I wonder, if we could have a spot on this website of something like "Steve Ashton/? asks Neloon/Thistledown/DavidPope/whoever 5/10/15/20 questions", where the questions (mutually agreed beforehand) are discussed in depth and with absolute honesty. It might answer some tricky questions and inform the rest?

Another forum I'm on does something similar, it's a Q&A interview (with some pics) meant to flesh out the screen name everyone sees online, they are usually the more experienced members (it's a beer brewing forum) who have popular brewing recipes they have created, provide valuable input to noobs, are forum moderators, etc. I have been featured in one myself and felt it was a nice aspect to the site in that it provided a closer look at the featured person. This made many posts make more sense by adding background (and some logic) to what drives their online posts. The Q&A was put up as an article as opposed to an open thread. New threads often were started by other members who wanted to expand on topics hit on in said Q&A.

[Father Bill]

To me it seems to keep coming back to this: "I'm not Scottish in any way as far as some of you are concerned, and therefore I should sell my kilts and kit to a real Scot and never wear tartan again." The way it comes across to me, I guess I should see Scots and kilties as foreigners with whom I've nothing in common whatever despite pride in my heritage and ancestors, my love of kilts and Scottish culture - a love I should probably set aside.

A lot of what is being said is very, very depressing and hurtful to me. I'm not saying that's the intent, but it is the way it sounds and feels to this Canadian - citizen of a nation with I believe, nineteen Scottish regiments, which I suppose you think are just Canadians masquerading as Scots, and a proud history of Scottish settlers.

I darned near sold it all and quit when I first joined this forum because of a similar discussion. For all that I have learned here, and for all the friends I've made, I think I'd be a lot less upset if I just quit XMarks said to the Devil with you, and enjoyed myself doing as I darned-well please.

There's the potential for a world of hurt here, and while you may say it's about straight speaking and being thick-skinned, I don't agree. I think it's about being nasty, rude, and inconsiderate, and yes I'm hurt because it seems I'm not good enough for you or welcome in your very exclusive and dying little club.

You can say all you want that it's not what you intend; it's what comes to my mind in what I'm reading. No apologies for what I think or feel.

Bill
A Proud Canadian who actually knows what Canada is, and it sure as the dickens isn't what some of you seem to think it is.

[neloon]

I thought, just for some fragments of information, I could add something to the footnote about news in a post (#64) above. The Singing Children of Africa were touring Scotland and sang the Scottish National Anthem at the Scottish Parliament with the First Minister singing along.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37789620
EXCEPT THAT we don't have a national anthem - we're not a nation except for some sports purposes. Yes, "Flower of Scotland " is great for such events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvmZvUqjbT4
But the lyrics are corny, anti-English and rather of today's politics so that won't do for a proper National Anthem.
How about the song by our National Bard that was chosen to open the first Scots Parliament for nearly 300 years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anYHBwOF2cY
Well, the words are very worthy and certainly fit the Scottish character but it's a bit of a dirge and it doesn't mention Scotland. Does that matter?
We finally managed to get rid of "Scots wha hae" which was another dirge. "Scotland the Brave" has a good tune but it starts off
"Hark when the night is falling
Hear! Hear the pipes are calling"
and gets worse!
Some people would vote for this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efQEjZgeqZk
But it's possibly a bit too impenetrable and left-wing even for Scots.
This next one might suit the diaspora but it's not really a national anthem, is it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wP8A9rtg0iI

And so we seem to end up back with the "Flooer",

Alan