Long have I enjoyed word play. Here, such play pertains to the word “membership.” Of course, it is proper and quite common to describe an individual as a member of an identity (or as a member of a group formed on the basis of an identity), just as it is to describe an individual as a member of a nationality (or as a member of a group formed on the basis of nationality). Yet it would seem odd to say an individual has membership to these things or groups, for membership implies application, acceptance, and exclusivity, which acceptance and exclusivity are controlled by a central authority. Being a member of an identity — an accident of birth and, possibly, a consequence of choice — or of a nationality — much the same an accident or consequence — however requires in its own right no such application and acceptance, save for the process of naturalization. For identity and nationality are not country clubs.
Yet in the realm of WRD DSRPTR, both may indeed be as a country club, and one moreover demanding of payment for membership. If we view identity and nationality in this way, it behooves us to ask, who or what is the arbiter of membership, on what guidelines, and by what authority? Such are the questions confronting the implied protagonist. And even more broadly, the implied protagonist must determine whether “signing up” for membership is a prerequisite to being a member of a group at all.
February 20, 2022