National Unity - some thoughts

Let me be clear from the outset, the purpose of this post is not to give a comprehensive view of all the issues related to national unity (if it is at all possible for anyone to give such a comprehensive view on anything).  My aim is to trigger some critical thoughts.

As stated in the previous post such a concept is in desperate need to be problematized.  What do we understand by national unity?  How can we achieve it? (if at all possible, that is)

Both questions, in my opinion are closely linked to each other.  Anyone proposing national unity has to have a clear understanding of the notion.  Then, based on his/her definition, s/he devices a plan (or to be more trendy, roadmap) to achieve it.

I may be wrong, but the impression I get is that most tend to equate it to a society in which we forget our differences and try to find ways in which everyone is in agreement - the fairy tale type.  Those who endorse such a view put a lot of emphasis on the reaching of consensus, in this case, national consensus.

At face value, such a view seems to be right (for anything it might mean).  But is it really so? In my view, such a view kills diversity - the spice of life.  It is in fact my opinion that the only way (I try not to be absolute in my reasoning, but I honestly can't see any other way) how to achieve unity is by celebrating diversity.  Such a view is based on tolerance (for wanting of a better word) and on the ability to accept that others can have a different view than one's own.  Of course, this does not rubbish away the possibility of reaching a consensus, but it does not consider it as an absolute principle, either.

Another crucial skill for unity based on the celebration of diversity is the courage to speak one's own mind... in an informed and responsible way, of course.