A Confession
I have to classify myself as a Patriot. I admit freely that the "Star Spangled Banner" and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" give me goosebumps. I could watch fireworks on the Fourth of July until the Fourth of December. But contrary to what the Neocons would have you believe Patriotism is not love of government, it is love of country. And sorry Darth Vader et al, that ain't the same thing. In the early Roman republic, Rome was the Father. Livy records a laundry list of selfless acts that ordinary citizen perform for the Father. Borrowing from the Greek root Patriot means "“of the father."” All fits together rather nicely. A few extraordinary heroes were granted the title of "Father of us all"” but it was not until the Empire that the ruler was routinely given the title of Father of Rome. And then a shift. Patriotism became fawning loyalty to the Leader. A state which the average conservative would understand completely.
I love America. But that is not the United States of America. The USA is a political entity which I like quite a bit, by the by, as it is created in the most marvelous and flexible of systems, the Constitution; America is an idea. It is the principle that everyone is deserving of an equal chance and is entitled without question to equal dignity in the face of the law. America is the principle that my ideas and faith and person are inherently my own to do with as I please as long as my actions end where other's rights begin. America is the amazing vision of highly educated men who, in a world saturated with absolutism, saw the beauty of a supple and strong confederation of equals governing for the benefit of all. I'm sorry but what's not to love.
So when we talk about the flag and desecration amendments I am mainly just confused. Clearly one has the right to burn the flag in protest. It is in its material state, simply fabric. When it becomes a symbol, it then gets more complicated. The flag though, for me, is not a symbol of the USA, it is a symbol of America. In that case, the burning protest is a ridiculouslous irony. One is burning the symbol of their right to burn that symbol. "“Burn the flag! Tell all of them that I hate being free to protest."” - always turns me into Scooby Doo "rrnnh?"
So there it is, I am a Patriot, I love the fabric of this land, I love America. I will stand for the Star Spangled Banner, I will remain in steadfast appreciation of the sons and daughters who willingly take up arms to keep me safe, I will sing America the Beautiful without any sense of Irony. Yep I love it, and the USA ain't bad either. You know why? Because if we care enough to act, we can vote the Fascist Fucktards who are running it now right off the Island.
2 comments:
Patriotism means different things to me. I get goose bumps, too, when I listen to the Canadian one. I have lived in Canada most of my life but was born in Germany and have very German parents and had a very German upbringing. As a result, this influence is strong, and I have patriotism in that direction as well. For example, I can play the German national anthem in two different key signatures on the piano (well, I'm working on the second), but I couldn't say that about even one of the Canadian anthem. And if the Canadian anthem gives me goose bumps, the German one makes me teary-eyed.
Yes, that whole national pride thing is difficult to pin down. I still believe, though, that nationalism in most forms leads to no good. After all, we're all the same way, deep down underneath, and nationalism simply creates barriers and divides people, rather than bringing them together.
Pirate,
First of all cheers for your kind comments from your previous post. But to address your current post, I would go further to state that any ism is often a dangerous thing whose aim is to psychologically allow us to divide ourselves from others and thereby deny the responsibility we have to one another.
On your other major theme, identity can be a very complicated and slippery thing. Am I American? French Canadian? French? English? German? Some amalgamation? All of those at once? I sometimes think identitiy would be easier to handle if say both my parents were from a single country other than America. But I come from an old New England family some of whom landed in 1630 so there's been plenty of time stewing in the melting pot!
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