Shw’mae everyone! My name is Mariana, I was born in Mexico City and I lived in Catalonia before coming to Wales. I chose Wales to settle because of its culture, its language, its citizens, the weather…
Wales is an amazing multicultural country, and Cardiff is the perfect example of how that extraordinary diversity blends together and creates a warm and friendly atmosphere for anyone living here. Before I lived in Catalonia, I thought of independence as a social movement that was link to a 19th century revolution, that Mexico carried out in order to became an independent nation. But it was during my time in Catalonia that I understood the new meaning of independence, and although it has similar features to the ones the American country fought for, it does not involve violence in any sense. I understood that an independent movement is inclusive, is tolerant, and it fights for equality. Thus I decided I should support any country fighting for their own voice.
After the referendum I was forced to think in a short period of time about my future, Wales and the European Union’s future. But not everything was lost, Scotland soon brought back their own independence fight, and at that moment, I knew there was still hope for Wales. I knew, that supporting an independent Wales as part of a multicultural European Union, was the only way to protect the Welsh culture and its language, to fight xenophobia, racism and any hate attitude that may have arisen after the referendum.
Wales needs to renegotiate its place in the EU as an independent country, Wales needs to embrace the world and become the cosmopolitan nation it is meant to be. This country has all the necessary tools to succeed and open its gates to Europe, to the world.
On a more personal level, I support Welsh independence because by fighting for it, we will also be supporting Catalan independence, and we will be showing the world that any country willing to protect its language and its culture, willing to make their own decisions, willing to embrace a multicultural society, are totally capable of being independent and still be part of the European Union.
We live in a globalised world. We are more connected to each other than ever, and we can make change happen in a small frame of time. We need to lead the change and embrace a multicultural globalised society. Wales is not alone, you have international support to make this change happen.
Saif y byd wrth eich hochr Cymru. The world stands by your side Wales.
