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(Thread) I've always felt inclined towards Scottish independence since the referendum of 2014. I watched from afar, back in Portugal, but all the arguments for it made increasing sense to me, even if the whole "nationalist" thing was hard to overcome, as it is a loaded word. 1/10
Now, when I moved to Scotland in 2015, I stayed away from the issue for a few months - I had too much going on with the big move. However, 2016 brought with it the ramping up of the debate around Brexit and, oh dear, wasn't xenophobia towards immigrants used as a hammer. 2/10
To be frank, I had zero expectations regarding Cameron and his party. I wasn't surprised to see his inadequate Project Fear against Leave, which was counter-productive. I was expecting him to scapegoat immigrants for the socio-economic carnage brought by his own austerity. 3/10
The Tories didn't disappoint. They were just their usual self-serving selves. The greatest disappointment was with Labour's shaky weak position on Brexit, most noticeably from Corbyn, for obvious reasons. As a Leftie, I was torn by Labour's selling out to xenophobia, too. 4/10
The SNP, however, were a world away from all of that. Nicola Sturgeon, as well as a series of MSPs and MPs, continuously combatted and rebutted the notion that immigration was the cause of Britain's socio-economic problems. They spoke of me, a migrant, as a fellow human. 5/10
I joined the party in February of 2016, when I realised that England and Scotland were seeing reality in two completely different, and frankly incompatible, ways. There was no alternative to independence from then on - I'm yet to find anything that can deliver its positives. 6/10
Whilst England is obsessed with political necromancy, trying to resurrect a past built on the blood and bones, Scotland, birthplace of the European Enlightenment, seems more concerned with finding the tools now that will help us build a fairer, more prosperous future. 7/10
For a time, I had to discern if my passion for Scottish indy was no more than the zeal of a convert, a way for me to try and prove myself to Scots, to feel included. But no. It has now been long enough for me to rest in the confidence of my arguments, not just my feelings. 8/10
Scottish independence is inevitable. Brexit was the stone that cracked the magical mirror, revealing the nothingness behind it. This Union is spent, whereas Scotland's light is as bright as it ever was. We just need to assuage those who are rightfully afraid of change. 9/10
My passion for this country and its people has seeped into my soul. I have never felt so politically gripped by this aspiration of a brighter future. I hope to play my part in the coming months, years, and decades, because Scotland is my country too, the one I love 🏴💙 10/10
