BLOG #17b: What is True Patriotism?
The term “patriotism” may well mean different things to different people. I get that. But at the heart of this term is the notion that patriots love their country, and through ACTIONS and DEEDS help make it a safer and better place for all of us.
While many associate patriotism with displaying the flag and talking about how great the country is, they in fact do very little by way of actions or deeds to make the USA a better place for all. Their rhetoric tends to be divisive, and they often engage in a lot of fear mongering and hate. This is not true patriotism because fear and hate polarize Americans, contribute to the rise of hate groups and make us view with suspicion Americans of different skin, color, or faith. Such behavior weakens the fabric of American society and undermines our ability to work together to make the nation a safer, and better place.
True patriotism, on the other hand, involves ACTIONS and DEEDS that help us see our differences as valuable assets and strengths that can be used for the betterment of our nation. Hillary Clinton is correct on this point. We are “Stronger Together!”
Patriotism can take many forms so long as our actions contribute to the security and defense of the nation, and help make the country a better place to live. More specifically, true patriotism is more than just words, posturing, or the worship of symbols such as the flag. True Patriotism requires ACTIONS and DEEDs that:
1. Contribute to the protection and security of a nation.
2. Help move the country forward, and to a better place, politically, socially, educationally, economically, environmentally and scientifically.
Those patriots who contribute to the protection and security of a nation typically serve in our military; they serve as police officers; they work for our intelligence agencies, and so on. An important aspect of their work is the fact that often they are called upon to put their lives on the line. This is one way of demonstrating true patriotism.
Other types of patriots that help make our country a better place work in education as teachers; they help enhance the health of the nation by working as nurses, paramedics, firefighters and health professionals; they work in politics to make just laws that help all our citizens; they work helping the needy and downtrodden, trying to make their lives better; they work with children and single mothers to empower them to take care of themselves; economically, they contribute to the wealth of the nation by creating economic opportunities so that all Americans can achieve the American Dream, and contribute in productive ways; they pay their taxes! Others help protect our environment and help make America a better place to live; and, scientifically, they contribute through research and technological innovation that make our lives better, and keep our country on the cutting edge of discovery and new product development.
The point is that all activities that help the security and defense of our nation, and help make the country a better place to live, reflect different forms of patriotism. Those who put their lives on the line for our country do, of course, deserve special praise and support, including the best medical care.
Patriotism is about ACTIONS and DEEDS and not about wrapping oneself in the flag and spouting forth slogans and extremist rhetoric. It is about actions and deeds that help bring us together; it is about actions and deeds that make us stronger by utilizing the strengths of our diversity; it is about actions and deeds that help us look more kindly on our fellow citizens; it is about actions and deeds that unite us in continuing to keep our country great, and, it is about actions and deeds that help protect our country and make it a safer place for all Americans. This is what true patriotism is about!
The fact is we are “stronger together” and those who would create division, intolerance and fear in our nation are the most unpatriotic of all. And a nation divided is a weak nation.
So, ask these people who equate patriotism with militarism, the flag, and intolerance of our differences in terms of beliefs and skin color: “by what actions or deeds are you making America a safer and better place”?
My best guess is that the hypocrites and bigots, who tend to be the biggest loudmouths in professing their patriotism, will fail this test of true patriotism.
In conclusion, any American can demonstrate his or her patriotism by engaging in ACTIONS and DEEDS that:
(1) Help protect America and make it a safer place for all.
(2). Help move the country forward, and to a better place, by contributing socially, politically, economically, educationally, environmentally and scientifically, among other areas.
Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
University of Connecticut (ret.)
Research Professor
University of New Mexico (USA)
8th Dan, Traditional Jujutsu
6th Dan, Traditional Kodokan Judo
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