In France, "patriotism" is a completely foreign idea. While most of the French citizenry enjoy living in their home country, the idea that they should somehow feel especially proud to have been born in that specific region of the world is ludicrous.
Here in the US, however, patriotism is paramount. Following the 9/11 attacks and leading up to the invasion of Iraq, many Conservative pundits successfully created an air of fear, partly based on reality, but mostly based on the desire for political advantage. They instilled the idea in the heads of much of the American populous that to dissent was essentially un-American. Despite the obvious fact that, when speaking of our origins, dissent is about as American as you can get, millions of our citizenry were sucked into this ridiculous idea that waving a flag and singing dreadfully annoying Lee Greenwood songs somehow made you a better American.
That's not my kind of Patriotism. To me, patriotism isn't waving an American flag around or loudly stating your willingness to bleed on the stripes to keep them red. Patriotism isn't putting your hand over your heart as you recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Patriotism isn't wearing a flag lapel pin or refusing to admit that America makes mistakes. To me, patriotism is working hard to make America a country from which your children will be proud to have been born, not because we tell them to be, but because they inherently are. Patriotism is knowing what the different aspects of the flag represent. Patriotism is teaching children what the thirty-one words to the Pledge of Allegiance actually
mean.
There have been many studies done on the historical competency of American students, most of which have returned disheartening results. A study done in September in Oklahoma (a
very 'patriotic' state), for example, revealed that a mere 23% of high-schoolers questioned knew who
the first President of the United States was. Perhaps our children would be better served by being provided a decent education rather than a swift indoctrination.
Typically, I reserve some of my favorite relevant quotes for the end of the blog, but sometimes I feel that what I'm trying to say has been said before by someone much smarter than me. This is one of those times. Adlai Stevenson had this to say about patriotism in 1952:
We talk a great deal about patriotism. What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power — to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect of all mankind; a patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. The dedication of a lifetime — these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.I'm proud to be an American, but I'm sick of being told that patriotism is more physical and emotional than it is intellectual. We're a country that needs to seriously reevaluate its priorities. Like many things American, we're far too concerned with our "frenzied outbursts of emotion," and not near concerned enough with the proper education of those who will inherit the country once we are all gone.
The highest form of respect one can pay to his country is the knowledge of its history and the attempted preservation of its ideals. Knowledge, that is the ultimate form of Patriotism. Not hiding the parts of America's past that we aren't proud of, but exemplifying them. As Edmund Burke once said, "those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it."
Comments (12)
great post. i agree. patriotism is more than just accepting the stat quo. the best patriots have been dubbed as conscientious objectors. maybe not--but they should be. it all boils down to caring enough that a citizen points out flaws in the system, as well as laud the excellent parts. be all you can be, right?
Excellent post! I will recommend!
Blind patriotism is the farthest thing from being intellectual then anyone can ever imagine.
I am NOT "proud to be an American" in the slightest and I have absolutely no right to be. I did not create this country and I had absolutely nothing to do with it's formation so for me to be "proud to be an American" is just as retarded as me being proud that Albert Einstein created the theory of relativity.
I am not a blind brainwashed parasitic drone. Knowing that I do not have the right to claim the genius of other men just because my father just happened to shoot a wad into my mommy at a certain time and place
The only thing I have a right to be proud about is what I was smart enough to create with MY hard work and MY creativity independent of anyone else's labor or intellect.
PROUDLY SPEAKING I have done that this morning as a matter of fact.
This morning I can PROUDLY say that I have successfully created an idea that nobody on planet earth has thought of before and at this point I am definitely smart enough to keep my idea to myself until I either patent that idea or write a book about it or both. God Damn I AM FUCKING AWESOME!!!
Thank you for writing this post because it just triggered me to think about how BRILLIANT this mornings idea really was and how with more hard work and time I put into this I just realized how far I am going to be able to take this. FANTABULOUS!
"A study done in September in Oklahoma (a
very'patriotic' state), for example, revealed that a mere 23% of high-schoolers questioned knew who
the first President of the United States was."
That is truly a disturbing statistic. Know about what you're fighting for (or yet- in honor of).
I am disturbed that we as humans are running out of time and resources.
1. How long can we rely upon petroleum from the middle east?
2. How long can we not prepare for the day when there will not be not enough land to produce food?
It is sad that mankind is overpopulating the world and won't be ready to survive the next century? I am ashamed that humans are too shortsighted.
I'm patriotic to Planet Earth.
Totally agreed. Based on my experience by far raised and being in many different nations of world regions geographically, I've learned there is one common fact; no matter what country you are that patriotism is so abused and misused theoritically and legitimatelly by politicians and/or someone in a higher position who want to manuplate and benefit from the ignorant citizens who are the only victims where they never been or barely known outside of the world. After all, human beings are the same and they pursue same basic needs - happiness, freedom and justice.
As Edmund Burke once said, "those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it." And the same is true of all your other classes.
Everyone loves a witch hunt.
patriotism means that god blessed america and nowhere else.
I think Patriotism is being used as a synonym for conservatism now by some people. Like dissenting or contrary opinions are unacceptable.
@pandoratheexplorer - Not even Rome?
@Paul_Partisan - Of course not, Jupiter blessed Rome, not God.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson