I have been told countless times: “You don’t seem Venezuelan; you seem German. Venezuelans are always late for everything, use the word ‘ahorita’ (‘in a moment’) to put off things they don’t want to do, and don’t respect rules, traffic lights or stop signs. You aren’t showing off the assets the Lord or Mr Surgeon gave you; you aren’t trying to take advantage of anyone or anything,” and so on.
This diaspora we have had to live through brings to light both good things and certain behaviours that some Venezuelans have practised all their lives, consider normal and take abroad with them. And the rest of the world assumes we are all like that simply because we share a nationality.
Yes, I am Venezuelan, and proud of it. I am one of those Venezuelans who like to do things well, who know that when you are abroad you carry a country on your shoulders and have to give your best. One of those Venezuelans who are willing to learn the best of every culture we live alongside without forgetting our roots. One of those Venezuelans with values to share abroad, to show the world that times of crisis produce the greatest advances, the greatest inventions. To remind the world that necessity reawakens creativity.
One of those Venezuelans both at home and abroad who are doing their best, those Venezuelans who make little noise but have much to show for their efforts, those Venezuelans who forge a path wherever they go, those Venezuelans who show the world that every family has black sheep, but not all its sheep are black.
I am one of those Venezuelans. Those who believe that the values we were taught at home speak countless languages, those Venezuelans who know that the country’s situation is temporary and that we must be ready for better times; those Venezuelans who accept their role in the story and don’t blame anyone else.
That, too, is being Venezuelan. Being Venezuelan also means having discipline, determination, a desire to learn, to do things well, to respect others and therefore respect the rules, to help your neighbour, to find a solution to every problem, to give thanks, to say good morning with a smile, and many other things that escape me at this moment.
I trust that, wherever in the world you are, you will lead by good example. This will help us demonstrate that the few contrary examples people have encountered cannot justify generalisations. Being a good Venezuelan also means being a good human being.
“It is madness to hate all roses because one pricked you.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince