How do you define patriotism?
Not looking for a dictionary definition, looking for your own conception of what it means to be patriotic, what it means to love your country, what it means to be “pro-America” (or another country if you are not American).
There is a lot of talk and bluster about patriotism lately. Some people certainly seem to think they have the exclusive right to define it and characterize others as “un-patriotic” if they don’t meet their criteria. I’m old enough to remember when it was un-patriotic to oppose the Iraq War.
Do you consider yourself a patriot? How so?
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19 Answers
Of course and at this point in time for myself it means recognizing how good we do have things, the sacrifices people made for us to be where we are and showing general respect for this nation.
That’s the single phrase version of it. There is quite a bit of detail behind saying that.
I am a patriot. I live the American dream, fly my flag daily, many generations fought in wars for the US.
Around here we do take offense at flag disrespect, even a business that hung it upside down. National anthem same.
If it came to it, invasion, etc..all the midwest states would be empty as we would answer the call without hesitation. A la Saving Private Ryan.
To me, it means loving one’s country, being proud of one’s country, being wiling to defend one’s country if necessary.
Euphemism for Nationalism.
Exaggerating and inventing positive aspects of the country.
Ignoring, downplaying, rationalising and denying negative aspects of the country, or pretending for them to be positive.
Hostility towards criticism of the country, including willingness to employ violence and to kill.
Denigrating other countries to elevate your own, often using claims that are not true.
Religious behaviour to express the nationalism, like constantly displaying the iconography, regular chants/songs, regular “oaths of allegiance”, trying to force others to do the same, willingness to hurt/kill them, if they do not.
Never met a “patriot” that did not fit those criteria.
What it ought to mean is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.
But what it often actually means is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons and thinking that a country is superior because you were born in it.
@Irukandji supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it
Well said. Too many conflate support for the country with support for the government and criticism of the government with hatred of the country.
Patriotism is just grandiose tribalism. Nothing more.
I’m not American so I can’t really be patriotic but I lived in the US for a while and like the country and its people. It is a special country founded on high principles which the current president doesnt seem to respect. My definition of patriotism would be voting to turf Trump out of office.
I agree with loli and Jake.
It has its dangers. As an Austrian poet once said “from humanity through nationalism to bestiality.”
Was he a poet before or after he was rejected from art school?
@flutherother Wth is the correlation between loving your country and screwing a goat, did the poet mean the Middle East?
“America Is the Only Country That Went from Barbarism to Decadence Without Civilization In Between.” – Oscar Wilde
@ragingloli Wilde was a bit twisted, so that makes sense.
KNOWITALL why assume he was talking about the Middle East, or animals for that matter? There was no mention of the Middle East or goats in the quote. Read it again and with more care.
@ragingloli He predated Hitler if that’s what you mean.
As in “behaving like beasts”.
Savage, cruel.
That should be clear from the context, really.
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