Give Scotland some credit
In the 1995 war epic Braveheart, 13th-century Scottish warrior William Wallace belts out a now-iconic rallying cry to his countrymen before taking on the English army in the film’s climactic final battle.
“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom!,” Wallace bellows in the Hollywood version of the Wars of Scottish Independence.
Now, 700 years after Scotland’s violent uprisings against the English, many of its citizens are still looking for that taste of freedom.
But instead of taking to the battlefield, they flocked to the polls.
“Should Scotland be an independent country?”
That was the lone question on a referendum ballot Thursday. Voters could check Yes or No.
Scotland has its own distinct culture, history and identity.
As a supposedly equal constituent nation in a unified United Kingdom, Scotland has historically played second fiddle to big brother England in British Parliament, despite punching above its weight economically.
For more than 300 years, Scotland has been in union with England. And that union remains intact after the majority of Scots voted to remain part of the U.K.
I was fortunate to spend several months in late 2013 in Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, during a transitional period in the county’s history.
I was there to study for a semester at a university in pursuit of my journalism degree. But, naturally, I learned more outside of the classroom than in it.
I was a student of the city and the country. I learned about Scottish culture. I met and befriended the country’s citizens. I listened to the viewpoints of the natives.
I experienced the good and the bad.
I cheered as U.S. goaltender Tim Howard made a diving save during my first ever soccer match, a friendly between the Scotland and the U.S.
I stood in awe outside of a pub with dozens of other onlookers after a police helicopter crashed through the roof of the crowded building, a sorrowful, sobering event that brought the whole city together for a night.
I ate the country’s wholesomely unhealthy deep-fried Mars Bars and drank its well-crafted Scotch whiskey. I saw the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands with its plentiful lochs and mountains.
I took in the nation’s capital, Edinburgh, reveling with 80,000 new friends on its streets during a New Year’s celebration.
I learned about Scottish politics — their history, parties and leaders.
And I learned about the country’s other form of politics — football.
I walked the streets of Glasgow, a youthful, jubilant city with a thriving night life and music scene, complete with numerous museums and cultural events.
For two weeks this summer, Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games, a testing yet triumphant event that made people take notice of the improvements made by the city and its progression from a gritty and violent industrial port to a flourishing cultural hub.
In essence, what I’ve learned is that Scotland will be okay, whether as an independent country or part of the U.K. Regardless of the consequences to come from the result of the referendum over the next few months, the country has too much to offer to not continue in its success.
Above all, Scotland showed the world that the process for independence can be done democratically and civilly. No war, no violence. Simply treating others respectfully and showing up at the poles to vote.
Scotland is and will continue to be a class act, because it has informed and passionate people representing it.
I am proud to call some of those people my friends.