The Meaning of Anti-Catalanism and Catalanophobia
The rejection of Catalans, represented by anti-Catalanism and Catalanophobia, is fundamental to understanding Catalan identity and its relationship with Spanishness. These manifestations of hate seek to suppress any expression of Catalanness that challenges the primacy of Spanishness and prioritizes interests other than Castilian ones.
The statements of public figures, such as Isabel Díaz Ayuso and José Manuel Calderón Portillo, exemplify the presence of anti-Catalanism in the political and sports spheres, respectively. These expressions of rejection reinforce the homogenizing dynamic of Spanishism, justifying it as necessary for the common good.
The Psychological and Political Impact on the Catalans
The impact of historical hatred towards Catalans has left a deep mark on Catalan identity, both on a public and private level. Despite attempts to moderate and confront anti-Catalanism, Catalanophobia has permeated the Catalan psyche, distorting its character and generating a survival instinct.
Catalanophobia is compared to jealousy, considering it a fantasy that whispers the idea of perfection without the presence of Catalans. This political pathology has led Catalans to convert their Catalanness into an ability to survive, moderating and strategically calculating their confrontation with Spanish hatred.
Challenges for Catalan Identity
The Catalan identity has been shaped by centuries of hatred and repression, generating a profound deformation in its character. The need to disassociate oneself from Spanish pathology is presented as the only way to build one’s own identity that is not mainly defined by the violence suffered and inherited.
The importance of psychologically disassociating oneself from Catalanophobia is raised, recognizing that the Catalan instinct is rooted in generations of fears. Silently adapting to Spanish hatred and restructuring Catalan identity to avoid Catalanophobia is perceived as a dangerous form of self-hatred.