Identity Under Construction
BY ADHID MIRI, PhD
Throughout history, people have traveled from country to country fearful of change, knowing that some changes could threaten their identity.
Thousands of Iraqis chose to live in Western countries since the beginning of the 19th century. The causes of immigration are many, people migrate for economic, political, social and cultural reasons or are forced to migrate under unimaginable circumstances.
Although the Chaldean Iraqis have been harmoniously in the West, most remained attached to their country of origin, connected with their relatives and friends, attached to their original culture, mother tongue, and keen on preserving their identity.
Iraqi Chaldeans live across the world today. Data shows that Chaldeans are concentrated in the United States, Britain, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, France, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Greece, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Over a few short decades they formed, and continue, a great economic and political force supporting and interacting with Iraq. They also play a major role in exposing human rights violations and have always stood with their people, whether in the days of the previous or subsequent regimes.
Holding another nationality does not mean one has abandoned his or her original identity and love toward a country. National identity is an inherent quality and cannot be confused with other ideas such as belief and thought. Ideas and convictions change, while national identity is firmly established.
There are hundreds of immigrants and foreign personalities who cling to their national identities and have served their countries of origin with great contributions. Immigrants are an effective force for the benefit of their mother country. Iraqi Chaldeans are a very special case and a success story in the United States. Iraq can benefit by connecting and communicating with them in order to strengthen their bonds to serve the Iraqi people and to consolidate fruitful relations with their ancestral land.
As a small size community, and in order to enforce our unique identity, we must create a brand that identifies all that Chaldeans can offer. To dissolve or evolve remains a major identity challenge! Other communities in the United States that preceded us to this great country have succeeded in creating a unique brand of competency and excellence. Notable examples are the Jewish community, the Irish, the Italian, the Indian, the Germans, the Polish, the Chinese, etc. In tracking their successes, one finds that education was the critical determinator and common denominator for shaping their future and branding their identity.
Iraqi Chaldeans in the United States are experiencing a similar renaissance; a period of unprecedented growth and educational recognition. We have developed academics, lawyers, physicians, pharmacists, teachers, accountants, judges, politicians. Chaldeans do their best to invest in their children’s education and academic excellence. It is time to take advantage of the growth momentum.
A unified brand anchored in education builds pride and identity. It’s time to ignite our community brand and start spreading the word knowing that the brand belongs to each person and we are merely stewarding to keep the flame alive.
Our strategic branding process must be designed to leverage our community’s strengths, raise our profile among influencers, increase regional recognition and unify the community behind a consistent brand and successful identity. Our process should be tailored to reach all communities, with work ranging from identifying our community’s value proposition to creative strategies for reaching our future objectives. We must also support our community members’ success with memorable accomplishments and educational achievements.
Education often leads to prosperity and politics. Extensive networking into different community-based cultural groups can ultimately lead to political support. An educated person can become an effective politician with the power to make their community, their country, and even the world a better place. The policies they make, remove, or change help to shape society. They can invigorate education systems, help improve health services, and keep an economy in good shape, just to name a few. We must encourage this among our upcoming generation.
Educated Iraqi American citizens become more beneficial to others by their presence in the west where advanced sciences, businesses, rewarding jobs and excellent services from which they gain experiences and influences and transfer them in whole or in part to their country of origin.
The presence of Iraqi immigrants in Western countries can also help influence international policy, such as that of the United States of America, Britain, Germany, France, Canada and Australia. They can help bring these countries closer, and perhaps even influence the policies of those countries to benefit the interest of Iraq. Iraqi Americans have developed institutions and formed pressure groups that explain to politicians, officials and public opinion, issues and opportunities to benefit from decisions that serve the interests of Iraq and the United States.
Many roads can lead to a successful career. There is no specific education pathway to follow when one decides to become a politician or an influencer. However, formal education, life experience, as well as professional networking are needed to guide success. Most politicians have degrees in law, economics, or business.
The ultimate test of our success will come as our community brand continues to grow. Many of you who have studied at Jesuit institutions are familiar with the motto “Men and Women for Others.” As one united family we can construct a unique identity built by the bricks of education and granite stones of our historic culture. We will watch the perception of our achievements formed in the eyes of fellow citizens and the entire State.
Beaming with pride; our educated sons and daughters as the best ambassadors our Community has to offer. They are custodians of our identity and our future brand. Together, side by side we will walk the roads of success as one community chanting the classic Liverpool Football Club Chant “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”