Here's a recipe. Grab an overpopulated planet, mix with a global economical crisis, add a large chunk of scaremongering over an influenza strain and, of course, season with the usual political, racial and religious tensions. Incubate overnight and you'll get the right conditions to spread radical ideology.

Its in times like these that far-right and far-left groups harvest more followers, often with very similar promises. So its not uncommon to hear a fiery call for "natioal unity" or "national feeling". All of the sudden everyone is proud of being from whatever nation they happen to come from. But what does that mean, "I am proud of being Portuguese" or British, German, American, Chinese?

I'm proud of my achievements, my work, the friendships I've built, the places I was lucky enough to visit. But how can I be proud of being born in Portugal? Or a Catholic?*

Without a shadow of a doubt I do love my country. Its where I grew up, where my language is spoken, where my cultural references stem from. I will do anything to make Portugal a better place to live but I can not be proud of something I have no responsibility for. I will not yell in a conversation just to prove that my country is better than yours nor will I be proud of the mistakes my ancestors did in the past.

Another common challenge extremist groups throw at us is the "need to preserve our culture against foreign influence". In translated English this means "I hate the fact I have to deal with all these emigrants and their complicated habits, religion, culture, etc". But inst a country's culture constantly changing? Wasnt Edwardian England so much more different than Georgian England? Our culture is not being destroyed, is being enriched. So instead of being an ignorant prick, stop saluting a flag and try to learn more about this world. Its too small to be divided in backyards!





*which by the way, I am not! I was lucky enought to be brought as a free thinker.