Letting Go Is Difficult – Countries Attachments Are The Best Examples

With all the things that are going on in the world right now: the war in Ukraine, the economic downturn, suppressed indigenous communities,… this topic can be extended to much more. However, I want to keep it short and simple and focus on my observations of living on three different continents for at least six months.

Letting go is difficult, whatever it is, emotions, your past, people that do not serve you anymore, usw. However, this is not a personal issue people are dealing with. That is concerning whole countries, and let me tell you how I discover this through my travels. I will be talking about three different countries, including my home country.

Tanzania

In 2016 I had the chance to live in Tanzania for six months. If you have read my article about white privilege, you already know how my experience in Tanzania was. I will give you a little sum-up for every one new here. I lived in Tanzania for half a year, the first three months in the north near Mount Kilimanjaro. It was my first time in a Sub-Saharan country and the culture shock was real. While I adapted to the lifestyle, I was soon eager to help anywhere.

But I found something surprising: the people’s mindset. Being one of the few foreigners in a rural area of Tanzania made me soon learn about the locals’ attitude towards white people. I was seen as a better person, I felt like on a podium. Of course, Europe is different and we do have a privilege. Some practical examples I discussed with some of my friends: We do not live in “luxury”, I mean yes and no, depending on how you see it. I’m aware that in Tanzania and elsewhere in the world people can’t effort daily meals and it is special for them to … have to breakfast, travel to the nearby town, buy new shoes, etc.  

Those Tanzanians I talked to understood that everyone in Europe has a dishwasher, buys pre-cut groceries, or has a washing machine. I explained to them what life in Europe and the households there look like. Yes, we do have some luxuries. It is such a broad topic and so often, I feel that Tanzanians idealize the western lifestyle. However, what makes the Western people not better persons.  

Could it be that it has to do with the colonization of Tanzania? Germany occupied the country from 1880 to 1919 and Britain from 1919 to 1961. The locals were treated poorly as slave trading was everyday business. But in 1961 Tanzania gained independence. Many years later, China is hugely investing in infrastructure projects in the whole continent of Africa. I wrote an essay about this topic for the university, which was fascinating but scary. Some might see China’s influence as overall optimistic others refer to it as Neo-colonization. I think it is more the latter.   

The interference of China and the mindset of many locals in rural areas show me that Tanzania still feels its oppression. I hope that Tanzania can let go of its history, stand up by itself and acknowledge its power and worth.

Mexico 

You can’t miss any town in Mexico without a massive flag on the main square. Although I have been to the United States, which also has a lot of flags, I have never seen such giant flags. I thought about Austria and its national day. It does not get celebrated like in Mexico. Let alone to see a flag at every corner. Mexicans are very proud of their country. However, while talking about that topic with different people, I realized that Mexican is not equal to Mexican. There is racism within the country.  

Let’s go back to history to understand where this could come from. In 1521 the Spanier came to Mexico and renamed the Aztec empire (one of many Mexican indigenous tribes) New Spain. The indigenous people got enslaved or killed. Even a class system was set up, people born in Spain were at the top, whereas indigenous people were at the bottom.  

Still, nowadays, Mexicans who have a darker skin color feel racism in certain areas or situations. Although Mexicans have so much love for their country, this shared love does not unite them. I find this pretty sad; I hope Mexico can let go of its history and stop the racism of differently colored locals.

Austria

I was born and grew up in Austria. I have never felt a strong love or connection to the country and culture. After the lockdowns and a summer internship in Germany, I appreciate the Austrian landscape, culture, and people much more. However, my semester abroad in Mexico made me realize that most Austrians can not be proud of their country with a positive association. Proud Austrians would be right-wing extremists, nationalists, or even a Neo-Nazi. I guess I do not need to tell the history that has led to this association. Seeing how proud Mexicans are of their culture and land makes me sad for Austria. Do we need to point out that Austrians who love their country are nationalists or racists? Mexico has shown that it is possible to be in love with your country and culture and welcome foreigners from all over the world.  

Traveling taught me so much. Especially to forget my expectations, go with the flow, and let go. On the other hand, it shows me “How not to”. Those countries demonstrate that it is ok to hold on to your history. That it is ok, to have this solid negative connection to what happened in the past. And that it shapes the decisions of the present.  

I wish the people of Tanzania, especially those from the rural areas, could see themselves as necessary as people from Europe, America, or elsewhere. I would like to see Mexico united, there are no bad people due to their skin color, and I would like to see Austrians hoisting a massive Austrian flag without condescending comments from others.

What are your thoughts on that? Let me know in the comments.