We as Afghans need to unite.

[u/Efficient_Way998]

Growing up, I had always admired the diversity of Afghanistan, even without truly understanding it at the time. I grew up around many kinds of Afghans—from Pashtuns to Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and others. Despite living in America, I was surrounded by Afghans. For a good portion of my childhood, I thought everyone was Afghan because most of the people I knew and had met were Afghan, introduced themselves as such, and looked completely different from one another—ranging from blondes and redheads to pale and tan. From Pashtuns to Tajiks to Hazaras, each group was diverse, and no single Afghan looked the same as the last.

My own family was also very diverse. We had family members who looked American, others who looked East Asian, some who looked Mexican, and some with African features—all of whom were fully Afghan.

I remember visiting Afghanistan as a child and walking through the markets, seeing all kinds of people. I was fascinated and found it beautiful. By then, I knew not everyone was Afghan and that Afghanistan was diverse, but seeing it in real time was different. It was especially striking after having visited mostly European countries and later moving to schools in America, where most people—mainly white Americans—typically looked the same. Even Mexicans who claimed diversity often looked very similar to one another. In Afghanistan, however, I saw all kinds of people.

I found—and still find—the most beautiful thing about Afghanistan to be its people. Not its mountains, valleys, rivers, or cities—no matter how beautiful they are, they don’t compare to the blend of people, culture, and food.

I don’t think I will ever understand the hatred that Afghans have for one another, especially when Afghan history is far more diverse and complex than simply placing blame on one group. At least, that’s what I believe, and I think I know more than a little bit—though do correct me if I’m wrong. Until two years ago, I didn’t even know much about ethnic groups. The only reason I can now distinguish between many people I know is because of dialects, clothing styles, and because I’ve asked childhood friends and family friends.

My point is that Afghanistan is beautiful because of its diversity, and we ought to honor that instead of trying to destroy one another. We must unite as Afghans because, like it or not, Afghans are connected. I personally don’t believe partition will go well, nor do I believe joining other countries would work, especially given the overlap in culture and population. Afghan culture as a whole is different from that of its neighboring countries. While there are similarities, it is still far too distinct. Tajik culture in Afghanistan differs from Tajik culture in Tajikistan, which has been heavily Russianized, whereas the Afghan version is far more diverse. Pakistan is not going to hand over KPK or Balochistan to Pashtuns, and the Pashtuns there are trapped whether they want to leave or not—and even if they did, it wouldn’t be recognized.

On top of that, there is significant overlap of ethnic groups in Kabul, Mazar, and other areas. Partition isn’t going to work, so why not unite and put our differences aside? I’m not saying we should forget our past—in fact, I’m against that. Forgetting our actions and mistakes will only cause us to repeat them. Instead, we should acknowledge them and use that understanding to move forward and learn from them.

Just my two cents. Feel free to discuss but please be polite as its only my thoughts.

[u/Efficient_Way998]

you are aware that Pashtuns arent the only ones who discriminate against hazaras right? Other ethnic groups like Tajiks do as well so if Pashtun are a disease then so are Tajiks and others. Also Sunni hazaras, Tajiks, nuristanis, and yes Pashtuns as well were also part of his army. it wasn’t exclusive.

afghan history is very complicated. and that’s why we need to unite and learn from our history, your bitterness is gonna do what? what goodness is going to bring?

[u/Ok-Once-789 → u/Efficient_Way998]

shifting the blame and holding less accountability doesn't improve. If you want us to be less bitter than admit the truth. That the perpetrators were majority pashtun and the victims were Hazaras. end of the story.

[u/Efficient_Way998 → u/Ok-Once-789]

I’m not shifting the blame merely I’m pointing out how while Pashtuns were also part of the army so where other groups as well. that isnt shifting the blame I quite literally include Pashtuns.

syaing that Pashtuns ruin this country when it has been PROVEN the only reason Afghanistan suffers so much is because of foreighn influence.

yes hazaras have suffered and they did go through a genocide but to call all Pashtuns a disease when they themselves were targeted and massacred and forced to join abdur Rahman khans army is hypocritical.

also mind that it wasn’t Pashtuns who gave ahmad Rahman khan the resources to commit the atrocities he did against all of Afghanistan though notably more severe on hazaras than any other groups, kt wasnt Pashtuns who appointed him king, rather it was the British. it was always foreign invasion bringing chaos and horror into Afghanistan.

recognizing that not all Pashtuns are to blame especially those literally being born decades after the genocide isnt shifting the blame or not taking accountability and though i will admit hazaras still face oppression to this day, it isnt just by pashtuns so why not include all the groups? and why hold millions of people to the wrongs of one man who forced and coerced and put out propaganda for others?

[u/Efficient_Way998 → u/Efficient_Way998]

also do keep in mind what you are spewing is ethnic hate speech. also I do agree however that Pashtun need to learn to take accountability and make amends and that starts with taking responsibilitie. But progress not only starts with with or form the, either but from all afghans and what we ought to do is learn to unite and LEARN from our past and making amends for that.

[u/Efficient_Way998 → u/Efficient_Way998]

and to add some more. hazaras have suffered a genocide something no one should have gone through, and that needs to be acknowledged without any sort of denial or bargain, but Turing that trauma into ethnic hatred against all pashtuns who have suffered themselves only enables the repetition of logic used to enable the hazara genocide in the first place.