On Patriotism

With all of the recent talk about flag pins, pledges of allegiance and patriotism, I have recently been drawn to ruminate on the topic. What exactly is patriotism? Is it a policy of blind conformity with the policies and actions of one's government? I hope not. Because if that is indeed the definition, then the only factor that separates a good, patriotic American from a Nazi is the "ovarian lottery ball" that rolls from fate's bingo machine with your date and place of birth stamped upon it. If patriotism is indeed that blind conformity spoken of earlier, a good and decent American who had instead, randomly fallen into 1934 Germany would have been one of the groups of people who are now seen as a repugnant scourge of humanity.

On a more personal level, when I consider the gifts that fate has bestowed upon me, neither cover-boy style good looks nor earth shattering athletic ability are on that list. Neither artistic talent nor musical endowments live in any part of my being. What I have been given is the gift of rational thought, a capacity for reasoned discourse and deep contemplation. If none of those gifts are required of me with regard to matters of a political nature, I am left to ask how my existence is any different from that of a citizen of North Korea who is told what his opinion will be and who his friends and enemies will be.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines patriotism as love of and devotion to one's country. So when I consider this definition, I ask myself what is a good example of love and devotion for me to look to? My daughter is without question, the one person on this earth to whom I feel the most love and devotion. I love her without condition. Yet if she did something that was wrong, I would certainly call her out on it. I would never ignore her flaws, because the fact that I love her makes me want to help her become the best girl and woman that she can possibly be. I would do my country a tremendous disservice if I were to fail to hold it to those very same exacting standards. If my government fails to live up to the idealism of the words in the constitution or the bill of rights, it is my duty as a citizen to take to the streets, or the airwaves or the Internet and rouse the consciousness of other citizens in the same spirit that was shown by Patrick Henry. So when I rail against an unjust war that was sold to the American people based on fraudulent information or fear mongering, I am indeed doing my patriotic duty. Yes, I suppose I could wear a lapel pin or participate vigorously when anthems and pledges are delivered, but I'm a bit uneasy that if I lower my eyes to put a pin on my jacket, my right to privacy might be handed over to a TelCom company, or if I lower my eyes to put my hand over my heart and sing or pledge, I might find myself and my country in an ill-advised and unwarranted war with some other small country.

So you'll just have to take my word for it without benefit of any symbols, songs or chants. I shall continue to demand that my government officials show a level of moral fortitude that justifies my faith in my country.

In the words of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy:

Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.