My name is Dani and I am Catalan

My name is Dani and I am Catalan. Do you know what Catalonia is? Probably, most of you will not, but you will by the end of this post. Catalonia is a little country between Spain and France. In fact, we are a nation without state. We speak our own Romance language, Catalan. We have a very rich culture, with world famous writers, scientists, artists, musicians.

Catalonia was annexed to Spain in 1714 against our will and, since then, we have been part of Spain with Catalan language being persecuted, punished and banned by several Spanish governments many times through history without any reasonable argument.

I was born during the early years of democracy, I did not know the Spanish dictator, I did not live the Civil War, I did not live a lot of historical moments. My mom was born here in Catalonia and my father moved in the 60's with his family, when he we was only 2 years old, looking for a better future. My grandparents are from the South of Spain, and when they were young, and due to the terrible consequences of the Civil War, they decided to emigrate to Catalonia. At that time, Catalonia was completely subdued by the Spanish dictator Franco. They settled in and started a family. My mom was born Catalan, my father is Catalan, I was born Catalan, and my sons will be Catalan.

Probably by now you are wondering why I am so proud to be Catalan. The answer is not easy, but it is clear to me: to be Catalan is not about feelings, it is a way of life. My parents learned Catalan in the streets, at cultural associations, playing with their friends, because it was banned from schools and from public life by the dictator. Fortunately, when I went to school, Catalan was restored both in schools and in public life, bringing a fresh breath of freedom after so many years of being underground. I learned both Spanish and Catalan at the same time, and now I can speak two languages, I can read in two languages, I can listen music in two languages, I can do a lot of things in two languages. In fact, I can speak three languages, because I also speak English.

I know, I have not answered my question yet, but this previous explanation was necessary to better understand our social and political situation. We Catalans are friendly people, peaceful, curious and honest. However, the fact that we are different from the rest of Spain, except perhaps from the Basque Country and Galicia, who also have their own language and culture, produces all kinds of strong reactions against us. We are respected by lots of people and, in fact, I have lots of Spanish friends that I love and respect—and they me.

However, many others are not respectful towards our culture and our nation. The funny thing is, ironically (typical of Catalan sense of humor), there is not a single reason for this hatred, isn't that funny? I do not take issue with the Spanish people, but it seems that some of them do so against us. There is even a Spanish private TV station that keeps insulting us day by day, without any public disapproval by the Spanish government. Anything remotely Catalan elicits a nasty reaction from these Spaniards.

On the other hand, an increasingly larger portion of Catalans are opening their eyes to our subjugation to Spain. Recent polls show that if we were independent, our economy would be expanding, not contracting,  that we would have higher salaries and fewer  taxes. The Spanish government has ignored investing in infrastructures for Catalonia for a long time. Other parts of Spain have been favored economically by the Spanish government, in spite of Catalonia being Spain’s main economic motor, together with the Basque Country.

What would happen if we were independent, if we finally achieved what belongs to us? Probably, the Spanish economy would collapse. There are other parts of the world in the same situation, such as Quebec. The difference is that English-speaking Canada has tried to convince Quebec instead of despising and accusing them for all their troubles. What’s happening in Scotland?

I want Catalonia’s independence because I am fed up of being always accused of all the bad things happening in Spain. I am fed up of being discriminated against just because I speak Catalan. I am fed up of being appreciated just when it's time to pay the bills. We are giving a free ride to people who are doing nothing to improve their own economic, social, and political situation, and who rely on government aid, and who are maintained in great part by Catalonia.

The worst thing is that we are hated for reclaiming for what belongs to us. Fortunately, not everybody is like this, and I am really convinced that when we finally become neighbors instead of roommates, our relationship will be better and stronger. Maybe I am a romantic who thinks that you can keep loving your ‘partner’ of 300 years after splitting up with them. The only thing I know for sure is that Catalonia is a country, a nation without its own state, but the day is getting closer when our nation will be free, once and forever.

Dani. @dcbcn