European Identity - I was born a Romanian, but I would rather simply be remembered as a European.
I have been thinking for years about Europeaness and eurofederalism, and whilst I have been a eurofederalist for quite some time, I hadn't quite put my finger on my identity. I considered how being Romanian weighs into this, and at first I just said: European first, Romanian second. But after some thought, I would like to remove my Romanian identity at some point. When I die, I would like it to be known that I have died as a European for example. Many would find it extreme, but I would rather consider myself at the frontier of European identity, as I was born in the second month of Romania joining the EU - I am part of the European generation. Not one of the eurospectics of my generation wants to leave the EU, and they feel connected to other Europeans at a certain level. For this reason, I belive that the EU's existence is slowly giving way to a European identity (not that it has never existed, but it has not never been so widely expressed) which is becoming stronger and stronger in young people. Erasmus is the greatest national-identity builder ever created, and it must be amplified, as it has created a strong core of Europeanism in most good high schools and universities, and at this point, few people in the education system have ever talked negatively about them. Europe is not a new idea, but saying "I am European first" is, and, one day, it shall be what the majority will say. I go even further and I say "I am European." because I love Europe, and I truly believe Europe deserves its own voice. Europe must be ruled by Europeans, not by the Americans, not by the Russians, nor by the Chinese. It must be ruled in the interests of Europeans, not in the interests of Meta or Google. Lastly, Europe must be built for the human. If America's unique trait is profit, China's is industry, then Europe's is the individual.
Another thing. If we think of a EU federation as a state uniting the European peoples, then it would be more accurate to say: Long live the Union! rather than - Long live Europe! - but this is just a random shower thought.
Anyways, this is all I wanted to say.