Commitments Related to National or Cultural Heritage
A commitment related to national or cultural heritage is a serious promise made by a person (to the counselor, to "nears and dears", to reality, to "God", etc.) to reject the stereotypes and patterns of behavior which have been installed by the particular oppressions operating in that person's nation or culture.
Les Acadiens
Sous le joug de l'éxil and de l'oppression, avec un coeur plein de confiance, d'espoir and de détermination, je promets de toujours chêrir mon héritage et ma culture. De toujours être fier(ère) d'être acadien(enne) et toujours être fier(ère) de tous les Acadiens où qu'ils soient. D'éxige le respect pour tous les Acadiens de tous les autres peuples et d'offrir le respect en retour à tous les autres peuples, de favoriser la sororité entres tous les francophones du monde. Pour l'unité entre nous où que nous soyons! Pour la fin de l'éxil! Pour une Acadie libre!
Acadians
Out of exile and oppression with a heart full of faith, hope, and determination, I promise that I will forever cherish my heritage, my language, and my culture, that I will forever be proud that I am an Acadian and forever be proud of all Acadians everywhere, that I shall require respect for Acadians from all other peoples and shall offer respect to all other peoples in return. That I shall advance the sisterhood and alliance of all French speaking people in the world. For unity among us wherever we are! For an end to exile! For a free Acadie!
Arab
In total respect for the beauty, generosity, and wisdom of my people, I cheerfully promise that I will cherish my culture and language, their diversity and unity, and remember how delightful and important we are to all human beings and that the world is a safe place for me to be my full human self.
Black Persons
For the complete liberation of my beautiful, wise, strong, and courageous black people, I solemnly promise I will always remember our/my own goodness and strength. I will fight against every division that tends to separate us from each other and from other people. I will settle for nothing less than complete liberation, complete equality, complete opportunity, and complete respect for everyone.
Canadian
I promise to always treasure our beautiful land and waters and our vast spaces and thriving cities, and to love every Canadian, celebrating our diversity, our Native hosts, and our anglophone, francophone, and other guests, and remembering our stamina and boldness now and throughout our history. The True North, Strong and Free!
Chicano/a
In respect for my beautiful land and the enduring and proud people that inhabit it, I promise that I shall cherish my culture and language, unite my people, and in alliance with all peoples of the world, see that all oppressions are ended.
People of Chinese Heritage
For the liberation of all Chinese people (and there are a lot of us!), I promise to always be proud of my Chinese heritage, to remember my inherent closeness to my family and to all Chinese people, to openly show my love, and to be visible and proud - (pause) - forget being dignified!
English
If the entire situation is taken into account, we English people have always done the very best that we could. And it wasn't all bad. The future, however, is going to be extraordinarily better. England expects every Co-Counselor, led by the working class, to model rapid re-emergence with full respect and support for every other human.
Raised-Expatriate
Knowing that we are at the center of all wide-world matters, we will confidently expect to be welcomed and cherished exact-ly as we are by everyone.
We promise to take pride in the position in which events placed us, the strengths this has given us, and the close ties we have with all people. The world is our home!
Filipino/a
In respect for my beautiful land and the enduring and proud people that inhabit it, I promise that I shall cherish my culture and language, unite my people, and, in alliance with all peoples of the world, see that all oppressions are ended.
Filipino/a
For the real freedom and unity of my beloved people, I solemnly promise that I will take pride in myself and the Filipino Nation under all conditions. I will work to wipe out the last vestiges of colonialism. I will strengthen the bonds between all Filipino people of whatever religion, language, or background, including the Philippines’ sons and daughters overseas. FOR A UNITED, FREE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT OPPRESSION.
German-Speaking Heritage
I am a German-speaking human. I am inherently fully human in every way. I denounce every wrong that was done or participated in by German-speaking peoples during the Nazi period as I denounce all other instances of oppression in the world. I will wage unceasing battle to eliminate every trace of the pernicious effects of Nazism in German-speaking societies, cultures, and in our relations with each other and with all other peoples of the world. As I carry out this activity, I will be proud. I will be an ally to all peoples of the world. I will be a dependable force to eliminate all oppressions and thus deserve everyone's love, support, and, in particular, my own complete pride in myself.
Irish
Gaeilge (Irish version):
Chun spreagadh fadtréimhseach a thabhairt do mo mhuintir chróga agus uaisle, geallaim go lúcháireach, ón nóiméad seo amach, nach n’ísleoidh mé mé féin go deo arís, nó ní ligfidh mé mé féin a bheith íslithe, nó ní ligfidh mé aon Éireannach eile a ísliú ag dhuine ar bith, fiú amháin iad féin, ach seasfaidh mé mar shampla bhródúil d’áilleacht, d’uaisleacht agus do ghaois mo mhuintire iontaí.
English translation:
For the long-range encouragement of my brave and noble people, I joyfully promise that, from this moment on, I will never again demean myself, or permit myself to be demeaned, nor permit any Irish person to be demeaned by anyone, including the person herself or himself, but shall stand as a proud example of the beauty, nobility, and wisdom of my wonderful people.
Israeli
From now on I will see to it that everything I am in contact with works well. However, remembering that the person and the pattern are completely different and separate, and that the pattern is reinforced and the person is hurt by criticism, I promise that from now on I will never again speak or act critically to, or about, another person, including myself, but instead in every contact with every person I will find and express some appreciation of that person and of myself.
Japanese-American
With all my honor, I solemnly promise that from this moment on I will never again be less than fully visible as a proud, strong, beautiful, and dignified Japanese-American. Hi!
Jewish
For the long-range survival of my people, I solemnly promise that, from this moment on, I will treat every person I meet as if she or he were eager to be my warm, close, dependable friend and ally, under all conditions.
Native People
I promise never to forget that as a Native person I belong to this earth and my very special gifts are needed here, that all beings in Creation are my relatives and cherish me as I cherish them, that my people have survived and will survive all attempts to exterminate us, that we are strong and wise and loving, and we will show our children and the rest of the world how to live in love and harmony and care for the earth and all creatures without ever losing our sense of humor.
North England
We northern English were colonised. We have been forced, for our survival, to oppress other folk in the name of English freedom and superiority. We resisted. We kept our pride and identity. Now, led by the working class, we can win the freedom of the North, for which to lead the liberation of all England.
Polish
From this moment on, I will treat all Poles, starting with myself, as intelligent, creative, and loving. I promise to remember that Poland is the center of the European culture, and I will take a significant part in its bright future.
Les Québécois
Pour moi, pour mon peuple, et pour mon beau pays je permets solennelement de toujours être fier(ère) de ma langue, de ma culture et de mon héritage, et d'exprimer cette fierté en tout temps. D'éliminer tous les effects de l'oppression intériorisée sur moi-même et sur les autres québécois. De travailler sans relâche à construire l'unité entre les québécois et à établir le respect et l'amitié entre tous les peuples d'Amérique du Nord. Je me souviens! Vive le Québec libre!
For my own sake, and for the sake of my beautiful country and people, I solemnly promise that I will forever express pride in my heritage, my language, my culture, and my nation. I will resist and eliminate all the effects of internalized oppression, upon myself and upon other Québécois and shall work unceasingly for unity among us and for respect and friendship between all the peoples of North America. I will remember! We will be free!
Scottish
I promise always to remember that my own beautiful Scotland was betrayed, colonized, and impoverished to the present day England. Partly we endured to stay alive. Partly we were occupied and colonized. Partly we were scattered around the world in order not to die. Now, however, our freedom can be redeemed. With the support of the working classes of the neighboring countries, Scotland will be free. I promise to think, plan, and work unceasingly to that end. From now on Scotland will have at least one voice: MINE.
Scottish Owning Class
Bribed, bamboozled, moulded, and manipulated, we have remained 100% Scottish (with English accents). Now every privilege and advantage that was pushed on us will be turned to the support of Scotland's freedom. Head on, working class! We will follow! Whae hae!
South African
I promise to remember to be proud of every tribe and race and its contribution to the history of South Africa, our rich and beautiful land, and our brilliant and promising future. I promise to fight without pause for the elimination of racism, fear, greed, special privilege, and all other oppressive factors from the life of South African peoples and for the achievement of a just South African society based on equality and opportunity, sisterhood and brotherhood of all people living in South Africa. For a united, peaceful, and prosperous South Africa for everyone!
(said in Bushman, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Africaans, and English).
Southern United Stateser
I sincerely promise that, from this moment on, I will never falter in my pride in being a Southerner, in my love for the beautiful Southern land, for the thoughtful courtesy and caring of its people, for their often obscured but always-persisting resistance to oppression, for all our proud heritage and our brilliant future.
I shall never lose sight of the fact that all people of the South are my sisters and brothers, nor allow any slight against any Southern person to go uncorrected, not even if voiced by Southerners themselves. The real South will rise again!
Swedish
Som en stolt svensk vägrar jag att acceptera några gränser för min kärlek eller för mitt inflytande på världen. Jag kommer att visa fullständig respekt och förvänta mig allt av mina medmänniskor men aldrig låta snällhet eller omtanke om andra hindra mig från at ta de djärvasta initiativ.
As a proud Swede I refuse to accept any limit for my love or my influence on the world. I will show complete respect and expect everything of my fellow human beings but never let kindness or caring about others prevent me from taking the boldest initiative.
Swedish
From now on I promise that I, in every situation, will remind myself and others in a bold, self-assured, and enthusiastic way about what a special, unique, and unusual human being I am.
United Stateser
For the survival and cleansing and long-range flourishing of my beloved United States, I promise that, from this moment on, I will speak out and act against every injustice, no matter how long-established. I will insist that the ideals and goals which inspired the founding of our country and for which our people have repeatedly striven and fought and sacrificed, shall be lived up to. The United States is my country. I shall forever claim her with pride in her every good quality and with determination to correct any of her past, present, or future wrongs. My United States! With freedom and justice for all!
U.S. Midwestener
I promise that from this moment on I will be proud of the strong cities, beautiful corn fields, lakes, and forests which are my home. I will remember that my people are special and worth every effort it takes to reach them. I will boldly lead all humans from the solid center of my country, firmly trusting my thinking and speaking my mind. The world can depend on my power and intelligence for its survival.
Welsh
With respect for our proud, courageous, intelligent women and men, and for our beautiful and resourceful country, I promise that from this moment on I will cherish Welsh people in all our diversity of class, colour, language, and dialect. I am Welsh. I will accept no limits to my power, knowing my leadership and Welsh liberation are essential to a free and just world.