How millennials define nationalism

Millennials refer to Generation Y or the generational demographic cohort following Generation X. There are no precise dates for when this cohort starts or ends; demographers and researchers typically use the early 1980s as starting birth years and the mid-1990s to early 2000s as ending birth years. Millennials are sometimes referred to as “echo boomers” due to a major surge in birth rates in the 1980s and 1990s, and because millennials are often the children of the baby boomers. The word millennials as defined and described above seem to sound indifferent to the word nationalism or non-relational when nationalism is discussed.

Because we greatly view millennials as those that drives today’s technology, we see them as modern people; and when we say modern people, they are ones detached of the old, traditional and primitive values that hold every Filipino to nationalistic goals such as nationalism. Thus, if you ask a millennials if they can define nationalism or what they think it is or that there is already a lack of it, what do you think millenials will say about it?

Filipino nationalism began with an upsurge of patriotic sentiments and nationalistic ideals in the 1800s Philippines that came as a consequence of more than three centuries of Spanish rule. This served as the backbone of the first nationalist revolution in Asia, the Philippine Revolution of 1896, and continues up to this day. These nationalistic sentiments have led to a wide-ranging campaign for political, social, and economic freedom in the Philippines. The term “Filipino” originally referred to the Spanish criollos of the Philippines. During their 333-year rule of the Philippines, the Spanish rulers referred the natives as indios. Also during the colonial era, the Spaniards born in the Philippines, who were more known as insulares, criollos, or Creoles, were also called “Filipinos.” Spanish- born Spaniards or mainland Spaniards residing in the Philippines were referred to as Peninsulares. Those of mixed ancestry were referred to as Mestizos. The Creoles, despite being regarded by the Peninsulares as inferior to them, had enjoyed various government and church positions, and composed the majority of the government bureaucracy. The sense of national consciousness came from the Creoles, who now regard themselves as “Filipino”. It was brought to its advent by three major factors: 1) economy, 2) education and 3) secularization of parishes. These factors contributed to the birth of the Filipino Nationalism.

In recent years, nationalism is simply defined as a devotion of love for one’s country. A country’s identity is seen through its culture, traditions, religions, beliefs, and even the unity or togetherness of the people in it. The history of the Philippines reflects the kind of nationalism the Filipinos have. Their heroes stood and fought to preserve the Filipino identity and attain freedom and independence. I should say early millennials or those born up to late 90s would still express Filipino nationalism by respecting the Philippine flag and value the Filipino identity; by being a productive citizen; by patronizing and

supporting our own products; by preserving the Filipino culture; by respecting everyone and value our traditions; by speaking out our own language; and, by remembering and commemorating our heroes’ sacrifices for our country.

Today’s millennials or those born from early 2000s may still express these acts of Filipino nationalism but not as much as they do with making themselves aware and taking part on the issues of our country; standing proud of our Filipino achievement; striving for more Filipino achievements; and, loving our family, our neighbors, and our compatriots. There are many ways to show our love for our country. In our generation, there are things that test our nationalism. What is important though is that we stand united as Filipino people and we love Philippines as our mother country. Let us manifest the essence of nationalism in every aspect of our life. ( Paid article)