We all are very tolerant when it comes to sexual identity. Some change, some come out with something new every season - here we are all love and understanding, which is absolutely perfect that way. Been there, done that. I am grateful for that tolerance.
BUT many can't understand that identifying with a national, cultural or even historical identity is for some as close to the heart as intimate and as difficult? Can't we be more understanding and tolerant?
I was born in a different country, I immigrated as a teenager into another one. Lucky me, I cannot identify with any of them. I don't "feel" them. I like them both, but for me they are exchangeable. I go to the land where I was born - where everyone calls me a different first name (I have two versions) - and asks me, judging my poor language "where do you come from?". I come back after two weeks speaking my "born" language and my husband laughs about my accent in my second language. Switching from one language to the other is not always as easy as changing TV Channels. Inside I cringe a little when I say my nationality (as in citizen) - because I don't "feel" it. I don't need the roots or feeling of a national belonging - I feel like a world citizen, I don't want to be geographically pinned to one country...but I understand those who need a national identity, who want to feel the connection to a national heritage (full package) My sister is still waving the flag of our mother´s country, even though she hasn't been there for the last forty five years.
My son is developing a bit of a national identity with his father's country - even though he was not born there and never visited. What is wrong with that. I don't think Hilaria lied. She has some connections to Spain which for her are important and valuable enough to identify with. I don't think she lied, I think she really feels Spanish. She really feels like a Spanish messenger.
Hilaria is definitely not the brightest candle on the Christmas tree or she would have handled the "crisis" in a "cooler" way. Her playing the victim was expectable - as expectable as Alec behaving like a Spanish bull. This discussion is so huge now, which shows how important the topic "national identity" is as it was till now something totally undiscussed - even though it has so much impact for an individual. In that way I am thankful for the discussion and I hope for more tolerant, diverse and more in depth discussions about a topic which started on twitter and rolled in every corner of social media.