James C. Scott Quotes

Tribal affiliation is much more important than policy details.

I am neither a Serb nor a Bulgarian, I am a South Slav.

Jews have had to carry around their own sense of self in a carpet bag and I think perhaps too much emphasis might be being put on nationality and on the other hand patriotism, that sort of thing.

It's a complicated issue, but I define myself as an American, primarily.

I am not an African. I am an American.

I've built my homeland, I've even founded my state - in my language.

All these nations and peoples of Europe and Asia will insist upon their independence and their own cultures.

A Volk [people] without a state is nothing, a lifelong frivolous phantom like the vagabond gypsies and Jews.

Just as every girl should have a husband, preferably her own, so every culture must have its state, preferably its own.

What about a white South African who comes here from Africa. Is he an African American?

… tribes with flags

If you believe you're a nation, then I accept you as a nation.

I'm a Zionist who believes that every person has to have a country of their own.

Nations which don't find their national identities will be preyed upon by other nations.

Now that Mandela has been released from prison we can all admit what has been apparent, that he is not a Tembu tribesman, in fact he is not an African at all. He is quite obviously Chinese. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it makes those who persist in seeing him as a great African statesman look rather foolish.

Quebec does not have Opinions, but only sentiments.

I don't call myself Latin, I call myself Puerto Rican.

I'm certainly proud to be Cuban American, and it's a fantastic opportunity for anybody - regardless of their ethnicity or nationality. It does carry a measure or pride to know where you're from and to know what your roots are.

Well, I'm Czech, but Polish, Czech, no matter, it's my name.

Irish Americans are no more Irish than Black Americans are Africans.

I have two Filipino nannies who have British passport and not me. I don't need British passport. When you were running around in an animal skin, my ancestors were building the pyramids.

Sometimes I read that I'm not 100 per cent Chinese, because I don't look all that Chinese. That's a strange one - I am Chinese.

I'm of Arab background.

Most of all, I dislike this idea nowadays that if you're a black person in America, then you must be called African-American. Listen, I've visited Africa, and I've got news for everyone: I'm not an African.

Being Indian is not blood as much as it is culture.