What is Patriotism?

With the 4th of July upon us, I find it increasingly annoying when people get into arguments over who is patriotic and who isn't, or who loves America and who doesn't. To me, these arguments are ridiculous, and the people engaging in them are nimrods. Most of these people are mistaking nationalism and jingoism for patriotism, and they need to go read a book before they spout off about something they know so little about.

With a family tradition of military service to America going back 4 generations (that I know of), my family probably meets the standard definition of "patriotic". I was raised to believe in what America stands for, and to be willing to give my life to defend this wonderful country.

But even that doesn't really describe what patriotism is and isn't to me.

Patriotism isn't a magnetic ribbon on your car. Patriotism isn't an American flag flying from your antenna. Patriotism isn't the belief that America is the biggest and best country in the world. Patriotism isn't wearing the American flag as a headband or a shirt pin or earrings. Patriotism isn't reflexively shouting out your opposition to an administration or their policies. Most importantly, patriotism isn't about pointing out what's wrong with this country.

Some quotes about patriotism that I disagree with:

"No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots." - Barbara Ehrenreich

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it." - George Bernard Shaw

“Patriotism is fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave, blind as a stone, and as irrational as a headless hen.” - Ambrose Bierce

"Patriotism ... is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit." - Emma Goldman

"'My country, right or wrong' is a thing no patriot would ever think of saying except in a desperate case. It is like saying 'My mother, drunk or sober.'" - G. K. Chesterton

“Patriotism: noun, a nationalistic cheerleading that causes a peculiar form of blindness that magnifies the faults of your rivals and makes your own country's faults invisible.” - Roedy Green

“One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous.” - Aldous Huxley

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." - James Baldwin

To me (from the perspective of an American citizen), patriotism is a deep love of this country and an understanding that regardless of the political party in power, regardless of the world circumstances, we can and should find ways to make our country better. It's the knowledge that our Founding Fathers bequeathed to us a nation founded on rightness, morality and liberty, and the understanding that it is our responsibility to fix those things we find to be wrong. Patriotism is knowing that America represents an incredible idea, philosphy and principle, and it is up to each of us to help our wonderful nation live up to those principles. Patriotism is about having the courage to point out our countries flaws, and the sense of duty to do something to fix those flaws.

True patriotism (as distinguished from nationalism and jingoism) can be summed up in the following quotes:

"What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility ... a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." - Adlai Stevenson

"The peace and welfare of this and coming generations of Americans will be secure only as we cling to the watchword of true patriotism: 'Our country -- when right to be kept right; when wrong to be put right.'" - Charles Schurz

“The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain.” - George McGovern

"Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their own specific virtues. The pride of nationalism, however, trumpets its country's virtues and denies its deficiencies, while it is contemptuous toward the virtues of other countries. It wants to be, and proclaims itself to be, 'the greatest,' but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is." - Sydney J. Harris

"I don't measure America by its achievement, but by its potential." - Shirley Chisholm

“Patriotism means unqualified and unwavering love for the nation, which implies not uncritical eagerness to serve, not support for unjust claims, but frank assessment of its vices and sins, and penitence for them.” - Alexander Solzhenitsyn

"What we need are critical lovers of America - patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it." - Hubert H. Humphrey

"A thoughtful mind, when it sees a Nation's flag, sees not the flag only, but the Nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the Government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the Nation that sets it forth." - Henry Ward Beecher

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." - George William Curtis

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America" - Bill Clinton

"Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong." - James Bryce

So, as you celebrate the birth of this great nation, take some time to reflect on what patriotism truly is, and strive to live up to the highest standards our forebearers have set for us. More importantly, keep the words of these great people in mind:

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” - George Washington

“You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” - Malcolm X

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." - Mark Twain

"If you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag; wash it." - Norman Thomas

“I can train a monkey to wave an American flag. That does not make the monkey patriotic.” -Scott Ritter

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July.