i've never been one for patriotism.
maybe it's the age i grew up in, or the mindset i've always had, but it just doesn't suit. i look back to the times of the revolutionary and civil wars, people fighting for ideals and mindsets and ways of life that were inextricably connected to a country. i see world war two and people fighting for the lives of the captive and against fascism of a country threatening to take over the world. and there were people who were patriotic then...but it doesn't really seem useful anymore. what prevents me from feeling as much for peru or the loire valley or dhaka as i do for new york city or utah or the rocky mountains?
there are admirable and equally deplorable things about my country, just as much as any other. of course i appreciate democracy and the extent that it's practiced. i enjoy having good services and the opportunity to move freely about. i'm grateful for the precedent that a written constitution set for the world. and of course i'm glad to be a part of a country that works as well as mine does. but there are problems (that i don't choose to get into right now), just like anywhere. and my country is not the shining beacon of light and truth to countries throughout the world. people are happy everywhere. some places, a greater percentage of people are happy than we can boast at home. and i'm blessed for the things i have and grateful that i was born where i was.
i've just never been able to muster up very much enthusiasm for patriotism.
maybe it's the age i grew up in, or the mindset i've always had, but it just doesn't suit. i look back to the times of the revolutionary and civil wars, people fighting for ideals and mindsets and ways of life that were inextricably connected to a country. i see world war two and people fighting for the lives of the captive and against fascism of a country threatening to take over the world. and there were people who were patriotic then...but it doesn't really seem useful anymore. what prevents me from feeling as much for peru or the loire valley or dhaka as i do for new york city or utah or the rocky mountains?
there are admirable and equally deplorable things about my country, just as much as any other. of course i appreciate democracy and the extent that it's practiced. i enjoy having good services and the opportunity to move freely about. i'm grateful for the precedent that a written constitution set for the world. and of course i'm glad to be a part of a country that works as well as mine does. but there are problems (that i don't choose to get into right now), just like anywhere. and my country is not the shining beacon of light and truth to countries throughout the world. people are happy everywhere. some places, a greater percentage of people are happy than we can boast at home. and i'm blessed for the things i have and grateful that i was born where i was.
i've just never been able to muster up very much enthusiasm for patriotism.
No comments:
Post a Comment