Although complicated, comprehending patriotism is largely influenced by aspects of one's nation. Patriotism may be influenced by a nation's politics, past, or geopolitical context. In some nations, being a nationalist is acceptable. Ownership of a patriotic symbol and the national flag, engaged citizenship, and social acceptance can all be considered as measures of patriotism. Statista (2017) data shows that 85% of Americans consider themselves to be patriotic, 63.9% of them own an American flag, 54% are happy to be Americans, and 10% support racism.
In the United States of America, the nation's founding took place with the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Patriotism was then rooted from this, and a patriot seen as one who aligns with the ideas the country was built upon (Nash and Margaret 216). Americans over the years have been divided on the grounds of political parties, education, class, and regions, but with the core love of country. During the celebration of Independence Day, the memories unite Americans, and patriotism becomes the sticking point. However, people use different aspects to define patriotism. Nationalism, politics, constitutionality, participation, and love for the nation present the major scopes in which patriots define themselves. Even though some people will insist on defining patriotism according to their beliefs, I argue that it all boils down to the love of the country.
Defining Patriotism
Patriotism is the love and devotion for one’s country. The love of country gets pledged by singing and respecting the national anthem, owning the American flag and celebrating the Independence Day as it marked the beginning of the American Nation (Nash and Margaret 216). Through the 20th century, this showed patriotism, among other aspects such as the American pride. In the modern nation, complying with these is rare, thus resulting to the prejudgment of the young generation as unpatriotic.
The love for country goes beyond the symbolic actions and singing the national anthem. It includes believing in a country. The current generation advances in knowledge and innovation. This shows patriotism on their part as the greatness in knowledge obtained, and the innovation has resulted in a greatly developed nation leading to advancement of projects. The United States now has great infrastructure, a stable economy, and better education and healthcare systems among others (Nandini). For the modern world, that defines patriotism.
Connotations for Patriotism
Nationalism
Patriotism does refer to the concept of nationalism to some individuals of some countries. Nationalism is the blind loyalty to one’s country, even when it is at the wrong. Nationalism calls the individuals of a nation to have strong emotions to their nation, and the emotions to other nations tend to be less positive compared to their own nation’s emotions. Nationalism assumes people’s identity to be attached to one’s nation (Dyreson 27).
For instance, the Nazi Germany people believed in extreme German Nationalism. The Nazism preached, ‘German above all’. Under the rule of Hitler, it was preached that the nation is everything, compared to us all, and the love of nation is what fills us with great strength. This nationalism resulted in the world wars the nation experienced. The Nazis wanted to create a great Germanic Reich, emphasizing German’s greatness and ethnic identity to the exclusion of all others. This resulted in them exterminating the Gypsies, Jews and the Holocaust people (Lüdtke and Alf 545).
Patriotism is different from nationalism as patriotism doesn’t tolerate the wrong, and instead of tolerating the wrong, patriots find ways to right the wrong. This differentiates it from nationalism. Today’s modern citizens observe patriotism by discouraging nationalism. The modern people do not blindly follow the conventions put in place for the country, and instead focus on making the nation better in whatever way they can. They question everything, and publicize, criticize every wrong in the government towards amendment. That is the patriotism of the modern generation (Rosier and Paul).
Politics
Patriotism is an extension of politics. This is the love of laws, government, and institutions. Politicians are individuals from a community who choose to stand out and represent every person in the community. Patriotism is a volunteer, and comes from the heart. It is the loyalty to serve all of the people’s interests (Hughes).
The patriotism in this context shows citizen’s observance of laws, the right use of political rights, and governing by disinterestedness of administrations, and in just ways. The American nation shows the brotherly federation of nations- 44 independent and sovereign states yet symbolizing unity among the states to the rest of the world. Political institutions have conferred and still destined to confer on every citizen. This boosts the citizens to be proud of the Nation, its history, and record of its statesmen (Schwartz, Shalom, Gian, and Michele 427).
For instance, in American presidential election, 2016, the two major political parties were the Democrats’ Party and the Republican Party. These parties represented a majority of citizens, as they touched on key societal issues like healthcare, gun control, marriage, and Muslim immigration to counter the ISIS threats. Even when the parties were opposing each other, a majority of the United States of America citizens had their interests represented. The modern supported these through the internet by publicizing on these parties values, and hence people voted based on their informed opinion (fairly), and not partisan or lineages.
Law and Order Enforcement
Law and order enforcers can be police officers, troops, soldiers and military personnel. Police officers work in a violent and threatening environment so to attain and maintain law and order in a particular place (Hughes). The American soldiers, troops, and the military have an ultimate responsibility to kill for order in the United States. These order enforcers travel in dangerous environments and take considerable risks for the safety of American citizens (Mechling and Jay).
The law enforcers are to be appreciated for being passed the responsibility of the country since independence and have the responsibility of holding the order through till it is handed over to the next generation. This is patriotism as the focus is on the greatness of a country and ensuring order for the country’s citizens. The United States of America patriotism recognizes these patriots through charities and nonprofit veterans and troops like GallantFew and Gary Sinise Foundation, among others (Mechling and Jay). The modern generation supports the soldiers by developing technologies to help during their services, joining the cause, recognizing their efforts and preventing law breaking activities in innovative ways, like film production that discourage breaking law and order, among other significant initiatives.
During the Vietnam War, the military and civilians relationship was toxic, with blames on the soldiers for their participation in unjust policies. Over the years, appreciation for the soldier’s efforts has grown. During the war in Iraq (nadir of public support) every American citizen supported the troops and they were held blameless
Active Participation
Voting is a constitutional right to every US citizen of age. Women were granted the right to vote by the 19th Amendment after great struggle and sacrifice, hence its worth. Patriotism is voicing our opinions for the better of the country. Voting allows change and maintains the status quo, hence a power that fuels a better country. It gives the country the opportunity to input multiple opinions about the issues the country is facing (Schwartz, Shalom, Gian, and Michele 431).
Voting gives citizens pride as citizens of a country. It is considered patriotic for honor, respect and paying homage to those who have struggled and sacrificed a lot for the civil right and duty to vote. Voting is as well a part of our cultures and a fulfillment of our pride in the country. Voting gives the motivation to know of the national issues within the nation. Voting isn’t to be partisan, but fair. In the modern world, the voting process has substantially improved, and several amendments made for the fairness of the process. Amendments include the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments are observed (Rosier and Paul).
Symbolizing Love for a Country
The United States of America has for years had a rich history of patriots like George Washington, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, among other historical stories. These citizens are recognized for the birth of the country and the great roles they played in the patriotism we currently enjoy since 1776. To fully celebrate the patriots we have to understand the values and symbols that have since represented the great nation of America. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of freedom for the country, and others like the Bald Eagle (Nash and Margaret 227).
Besides the understanding of the symbols and their connection to patriotism, respect is significant. Showing respect can be in ways like standing still during the national anthem playing, or accessorizing with artifacts showing the symbols, like the politicians always accessorizing with the American flag pins.
For instance, President Trump considered it disrespectful for the National Football League (NFL) players to kneel during the singing of the national anthem and stated, “They were fighting for our country, they were fighting for our flag, and they were fighting for our national anthem. For people to disrespect that by kneeling during the playing of our national anthem, I think, is disgraceful." Also, Former President Barrack Obama was considered less patriotic when he showed up at a function without the National Flag pin on him.
Importance of Exemplification
Exemplification is the presentation of arguments and examples with an aim of defining something. Having various themes exemplified is important in different perspectives. For example, doing this may make the society change a negative attitude created about something in the environment. On the other hand, it can also make people realize a bitter truth, thus creating hate. Exemplification of patriotism is crucial because it gives the citizens of a country a level ground to show they are patriots. Exemplifying this word helps to avoid cases where others think they are first class patriots than their fellows.
Conclusion
Patriotism in the United States of America is a theme that has carefully been respected and observed over the years since the Nation was born and independence attained. The historical stories of the freedom fighters are still respected, and the symbols of honor observed. Patriotism defines the origin and the journey the state has had over the years.
Defining patriotism cannot be done in a simple statement. Journals and dictionaries refer to patriotism as the love and devotion to one’s country, but in reality, patriotism is more than the love, as our actions as well define patriotism. The pride we show of our country and the much we do for the better of the nation defines patriotism.
The world today experiences dynamic change, yet the respect for patriotism still remains. Today’s world is mostly occupied by moderns; who are often misunderstood to be self-centered and with no respect for the ancient, but the truth is that the respect for patriotism is still held, only that it is held in different perspectives by the current generation.
This is evident in the performance in a country. Formerly, patriotism was by physical fighting for a nation, but today the country is fought for with the help of technologies, and the result is the same. Also, the country is greatly developed in infrastructure, education and healthcare greatly improved, voting is fair and improved, politicians rightly representing citizens and the economy is stable. This is the patriotism in the modern world.
Works Cited
Dyreson, Mark. Crafting patriotism for global dominance: America at the Olympics. Routledge, 2013.
Hughes, Michael Cade. “What Is Real Patriotism Anyway?” The Blog, 2016,
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-cade-hughes/what-is-real-patriotism-a_b_11761496.html. Accessed 28 November 2017
Lüdtke, Alf. "" Coming to Terms with the Past": Illusions of Remembering, Ways of Forgetting Nazism in West Germany." The Journal of Modern History, vol. 65, no.3, 1993, pp. 542-572.
Mechling, Jay. On my honor: Boy Scouts and the making of American youth. University of Chicago Press, 2004.
Nandini. “Youth and Patriotism in India.” Indian Youth, 2016,
http://www.indianyouth.net/youth-and-patriotism-in-india/. Accessed 28 November 2017
Nash, Margaret A. "How to Be Thankful for Being Free: Searching for a Convergence of Discourses on Teaching Patriotism, Citizenship, and United States History." Teachers College Record, vol. 107, no.1, 2005, pp. 214-240.
Rosier, Paul C. Serving their country: American Indian politics and patriotism in the twentieth century. Harvard University Press, 2010.
