Today highlights the patriotic appreciation by Americans for their nation’s founding and freedom from the control by despots who claimed their positions through “divine right” or some other subterfuge of authority.
We enjoy fireworks and sing the Star Spangled Banner, symbols of that freedom and liberties won and reinforced through the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
We fly and salute our flag, the symbol of our freedom and of the great democracy we have created and defended, and our emergence as the leading nation of the world. In few other countries will you find the national emblem so widely displayed and honored, from the classroom to gatherings of civic and government organizations.
Recently some good discussion was stirred up here over “Marriage,” and it continues in the Forum today. There are some real challenges in the fact that “tolerance” has many meanings, too. It has thus been so throughout the history of our nation. Tolerance has been important to our concept of freedom.
Today presents a good time to take a look at “Patriotism.” What is it and how does it fit as an important element of our culture?
As usual, we start with the dictionary. My Webster’s Collegiate (Random House) is succinct. It says patriotism means “devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.”
A patriot is “a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interest.” The second definition is “a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, esp. of individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal government.”
Aye, there’s the rub.
Can one love and support one’s country while at the same time defending against government interference, which is often based on one’s individual view of life?
Consider, for example, the controversy raised by flag burners. In the eyes of those supporting law and order, this is an act of traitors, showing and disrespect for the country. But often in the eyes of the burners, it’s a legitimate (and supposed to be shocking) form of protest against government, not country. The Supreme Court has sided with the latter view, pointing out that the First Amendment covers such actions. A hard pill for the “true patriot” to swallow. Why would a person want to destroy the same symbol that protects its right to do so?
Wikipedia, The Internet encyclopedia in defining patriotism, points out that it has had different meanings over time, and that it is highly dependent on context, geography and philosophy. Among ancient Greeks, from which the root word “patris” comes, patriotism consisted of “notions concerning language, religious traditions, ethics, law and devotion to the common good rather than pure identification with a nation-state.”
Many contemporary notions of patriotism, says Wikipedia, are influenced by 19th century ideas about nationalism. That pretty well describes American patriotism, although its roots go back to the 18th century when patriots were those who rose up against the British.
Actually, patriotism is a religion of a sort. It contains all the elements of faith-based dedication to an ideal (“My country right or wrong”). The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are the bibles of our faith in our nation and its way of life despite our feelings about individual governors.
Patriotic fervor reflects your good feeling about your country. It expresses the feelings of those who sacrificed family members or an important part of their own lives to fight for their country. Generally, it’s also a showing of appreciation for those who protect us, not only those in military uniform but those in police and fire services.
Some people wear patriotism on their sleeves, or lapels. Some keep it in their hearts. Many do both. Four days a year we outwardly celebrate our patriotism with others—The Fourth of July, Veterans (once Armistice) Day, Memorial (once Decoration Day, and to a lesser extent, Armed Forces Day and Flag Day.
Patriotism can be dangerous if misused, particularly when fear overcomes the desire for freedom. It can lead to discrimination by one sector of citizens against others, such as the detention of the Japanese-Americans in World War II, or against “radical workers” involved in the labor movement in the early 20th century.
It can pit one part of the nation against the other, as in the Civil War, where those who fought for both sides declared their righteousness. Even after their loss, citizens of the South continued their patriotic fervor for the Stars and Bars instead of the Stars and Stripes, and with “Dixie” instead of the “Star Spangled Banner.”
In America, patriotism should never be used to look down on others who have a differing point of view. That’s not patriotic. When combined with the proud beliefs and faiths of others among us, patriotism can be a mighty force in expressing our love for the national traditions that have made us both a great nation and a role model for all freedom-loving individuals.
(Copyright 2009 - Champion Newspapers - Published July 4, 2009)
