What is Patriotism?

As the nation commemorates the 232nd anniversary of declaring its independence from British rule, I can think of no better time to ask: what is patriotism? The obvious answer is a love of country; but what exactly does that mean?

Since Thomas Jefferson penned his immortal words in 1776, we have unsuccessfully sought to achieve a harmonious definition of patriotism -- a one-size-fits-all meaning. This lies in stark contrast to the revolutionary spirit.

The internal acrimony between the 13 colonies during its quest for independence is well documented. The Founders were not models of perfection, but they serve to this day as the gold standard of courage that we are required to follow.

The act of breaking free from British rule to embark on the American experiment required extraordinary courage. Each man who signed his name to the Declaration of Independence knew the potential consequences of rebelling against the British Empire included death. Moreover, the democracy that was achieved no doubt exceeded the Founder's imagination.

Through their courage, the Founders, most belonging to the professional class, many were slaveholders, provided the groundwork for Martin Luther King to follow in their audacious footsteps 189 years later. The valor of the Civil Rights Movement in the South was fortified and inspired by the same impulses that took on the British Empire.

It is no accident that arguably the two greatest speeches in American history, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and King's "I Have a Dream," find their moral justification in the Declaration of Independence. The greatness of the Founders was to give life to a document vastly superior to the flawed hands that wrote it.

But fear remains the greatest nemesis to any democracy. The systematic devaluation of the Constitution based on post-9/11 fears must be placed in the historical context of events like Japanese internment following Pearl Harbor and the Alien and Sedition Act in 1798, signed into law by President John Adams.

Adams and his Federalist Party would pay a heavy price for supporting the Alien and Sedition Act. In 1800, Jefferson would defeat him for the presidency and the Federalist were well on their way to becoming a political party of antiquity whose better days were behind them.

We are already witnessing the country taking corrective measures against the Republican Party's post 9/11 overreach as Democrats took back Congress in 2006. The prospects of a G.O.P. congressional majority in 2008 also appear slim.

If, however, the love of country that defines patriotism has been reduced to wearing metal flags on one's lapel and adorning bumper stickers that read: "I Support the Troops" then something is lacking. Where is the courage that exemplifies the spirit of 1776?

It is an open question as to whether America is prepared to relinquish the shackles of the "strip mall patriotism" that dominates the current public conversation. Just like the strip malls that inhabit the country, we are opting for a prefabricated brand of patriotism dependent more on homogenization, agreement, and fear rather than the uniqueness, dissent, and courage that gave birth to this enterprise.

Patriotism must be more than simplistic outwardly displays of allegiance. Such exhibits do not do justice to a country that realizes part of its greatness in its ability to support the constitutional rights of those whom it would spend a lifetime in opposition. Patriotism is the courage to love the country enough to applaud it when it's right and criticize it when it's wrong with equal vigor.

Jefferson said it best in his last public statement. Too frail to attend the 50th commemoration of the Declaration of Independence he wrote:

"The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of god ... For ourselves, let the annual return of this day, forever refresh our recollections of these rights and an undiminished devotion to them."

Byron Williams is an Oakland pastor and syndicated columnist. He is the author of Strip Mall Patriotism: Moral Reflections of the Iraq War. E-mail him at [e-mail] or go to his website byronspeaks.com

Comments

[ProfessorDuh]

Patriotism is, often, a societal recidivism to primitive tribal bloodlust, no more admirable than the howls of support for one"s team at a football game.
If we were to effectively demand that our nations" governments work in the interest of justice, honesty, humanity and democracy, patriotism would be justified but unnecessary. And if we don"t demand those things from our nations" governments, what we get doesn"t justify patriotism.

[Argos]

I received this email/post

Dear Friend:

I am proud of my country because...

Sincerely,

Tom Cole,
Chairman

visit the NRCC Blog!

My reply:

I am proud of my country because...it has been the only civil collection of humans, the only civil society, the only country, ever in the tumultuous history of mankind, to be formed , not base on tribes or such tribal affiliations, not based on religious, sect or geographic bonds, but the only such society or country to be formed dedicated to an abstract philosophical ideal, this ideal nurtured and brought forth as it was from a particular religious tree and environment; this ideal being, the fundamental inalienable equality of all humans, and with this ideal being given body and form as a social contact binding ALL its citizens, that contract being the Constitution upon which it stands.

And on this day, July 5 2008, the United States of America , finds itself in the sad state of being sold-out. It is being sold-out to foreign powers and foreign ideas.

Please do not tell me about the NRCC or the DNC or any other political "C" Sir, or those acting politically, for these are ALL the said same very ones who have been selling-out America !!

When there are advanced technologies being used by agents, powers and duly Constituted elements, with these violating, with impunity, those inalienable rights of it citizens and others, America, Sir , is being, has been ¦sold-out!!

[Gatormouth]

What is a symbol of patriotism? Certainly not a piece of foreign tin in the lapel that is now used to identify party allegiance. This sort of behavior was thought by many to be disrespectful to the flag.

For a real symbol of patriotism see "The Gadsden Flag". (The Rattlesnake Flag - Don't Tread on Me".

Apparently no less a light than Franklin wrote

"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids"She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance."She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage."As if anxious to prevent all pretentions of quarrelling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenceless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defence, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:"Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her."Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?"

"She never begins an attack." I wonder what Ben would think of preemptive war for loot.

http://www.gadsden.info/history.html

[Pyott]

This whole concept of patriotism is an odd one.

It's just another one of those things people blindly perpetuate from one generation to the next -- nothing more than a slightly more sophisticated form of tribalism, or in-group thinking.

It's very revealing that people find excessive pride acceptable on a collective basis that they wouldn't find acceptable on an individual basis.

If it's not acceptable for an individual to go around thumping his or her chest, exclaiming "I am the best! What a great person I am!", how it can POSSIBLY be acceptable for people to come together to do it as a group?

It isn't.

So, why can't we all just grow up a little? I don't understand why people continue to believe in these kinds of notions, especially in this day and age. Patriotism is neither intellectually, socially, nor morally justifiable -- nor, for that matter, does it really add anything to the public discourse.

[Gatormouth]

What was a symbol of patriotism in 1776? It certainly wasn't a piece of tin of foreign manufacture in the lapel signifying party more than patriotism.

Try the Gadsden Flag as a good example!

http://www.gadsden.info/history.html

[Syco]

patriotism is doing what you are told by your government. whatever they say must be the truth regardless of the facts because our government have never made a mistake. Anyone who says different is a terrorist supporter.

[recruitgal]

T|he definition of the word Patriot according to the Oxford English Dictionary: "A person that strongly supports their country and is prepared to defend it",

No mention of flag pins.

Weird.

[lwaxanatroi]

One thing we might want to remember is that the revolutionaries of 1776 and the freedom riders of the 1960s were pretty damned special. That level of commitment to what is, after all, an abstract ideal isn't found in every person or every generation. Most of us are never called upon, or choose not to be called upon, to exercise the kind of patriotism that could actually cost us our lives. So the one thing we can do, all of us every single day, is remember and honor those who rose to that challenge and not, under any circumstances, confuse lip-service and flag-pin patriotism for the real thing.

[CharlieMarlowe]

I made this comment on another post earlier in the week, but thought I would repost it here.

Here is an exercise in thinking about patriotism:

In Toronto, there is an historic site called Fort York. The fort was built in the 1790s to protect Toronto (then called York), the new capital of Upper Canada, from invasion by the United States. In 1813, American forces attacked the fort. The British regulars and Canadian militia in York were outnumbered and withdrew. The powder magazine was blown up, killing and wounding hundreds of American troops.

A few years ago, there was a display of artwork at the fort for Black History month. It featured paintings depicting the contributions of Black soldiers fighting for the British cause in the Revolutionary war and for Canada in the War of 1812. These former slaves, the freed Black men of the Canadian militias, disconcerted and discomfitted the American troops. Now, imagine you are a Black American looking at these pictures, standing in a place where so many Americans lost their lives. How do you feel? As a White American, how do you feel? How would you define patriotism?

[unionave]

The word "patriot" ( zealous love of country) and the word liberal are and have been distorted politically . Lets take the word "patriot" . One candidate and his wife were involved in aiding and abetting in the theft and laundering of AMERICAN bank money which the AMERICAN tax payer had to pay for . This same candidate ditched his AMERICAN wife in her great need for another woman . An alcohol and drug abuser . This candidate has been a law maker for around 30 years . During his tenture as a law maker 50 million AMERICANS lost their health care . During his tenture AMERICAN education funds have greatly reduced . During his tenture millions of AMERICAN jobs were lost to foreign lands . During his tenture we invaded and occupied a country at the cost of several 100 thousand lives with many being AMERICAN lives and at a cost of trillions of $ for the take over , control , and theft of that country's resources . This is not "PATRIOTIC" by AMERICAN standards . We have a clear choice here and if we screw up the way we did the last two times we're dead .

[LarBear]

Want to give us the same "fair minded", un-biased assesment of the other main Candidate???
Start with slick Chicago Politician, Rezko, etc, perhaps.... Base it on behavior, not appealing words...
If you do,. does that say NEITHER should get the time of day, or consideration of the American Voter?

[Titonwan]

Patriotism? You kidding me? All I see are apologists. When Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Nelson Rockefeller, along with Bush and all of his cronys are tried for war crimes, do you think GE, Northrup, Sperry Rand or AT&T will stand for this?? Not on your life! When we are asked to give up our 4th amendment? I know that one day that I will die. And I will choose the manner of which it happens. One of my favorite native american names is "no wounds on his back". That pretty much says it all. Courage.

[Jules1]

Thank you, this is what Mr. Obama was telling peoiple a long ago, but the people and the MSM would not accept it, they had to have the flag salute and that damn pin!!!! Good job!! Obama said it all in his speech....

[LarBear]

Obama spoke loudest when he failed to show up and defend the Constitution against FISA... (Along with Mc Cain and others) Now, he spins as to why the Constitution rates second to getting Elected and uses Terrorism and frightened Americans in doing so...
His "wrongness" about the Lapel Pin is that he made it an issue... Correct it does NOT make one a patriot... Being kind when I say amateurishly made it an issue...
I will NOT Vote for a person who fails to defend the Constitution, even before getting elected... That is NOT just a symbol to me...
That (Defending the Constitution) must be a PRIME REQUIREMENT of any President... Obviously is not one of G W Bush's, or one of much of both Branches of the Dominant Political Party...
Many a current Office holder, Democrat and Republican, placed Fear ahead of their Oath of Office... Many took money from the Telecoms... Many fear hurting their chances of staying, or getting into Office, and cowardly, Voted Fear over Constitution...

[Danigirl65]

So, I'm assuming you're choosing not to vote?

[Sundialsvc4]

I think that "Patriotism is not something you find on TeeVee." No, you don't.

On TeeVee (and in other forms of media) you find carefully-posed pictures of candidates perched in front of American flags, with all sorts of carefully orchestrated symbology. On TeeVee, candidates look at teleprompters to get the latest poll-numbers to tell them what to say. To tell them "what the American people want to hear."

Patriotism, on the other hand, is the Real Truth, and the courage to seek it out, and the determination never to accept anything other, nor anything less. It's the courage and the determination to change what needs changing, and to work to find out what that need is.

Most of all, I think that Patriotism is the determination to build, or to rebuild, an entire nation. To right that which is wrong, to punish that which is guilty, to lift up and to restore that which is trodden-down. Where nay-sayers and profiteers plant the seeds of hopelessness and despair, patriotism plucks them up seed-by-seed-by-seed.

[waverly]

Patriotism is love of your country, keeping it strong and robust.

Patriotism is impeachment of a president who does not defend and shreds the constitution.

Patriotism is impeachment of a president who invades and overthrows an innocent country through deceit.

Patriotism is impeachment of a president who has overreached his power of authority.

[Sundialsvc4]

These words are true.

It was once said that the people who founded America were so loyal to King George that they overthrew him. When the Government of England became so corrupt and so wrongful against them, they built for themselves a new Government that was nevertheless very much in the British image. (And this, in due time, did lead to some reforms finally being made in England.)

When we are told, "impeachment is off the table," "we're too big," "there's nothing you can do," we're being asked to capitulate -- not only for ourselves, but for our country. We cannot do that. Patriotism cannot do that. There are times when you draw from your country and there are a times when you step to its aid... even within its borders. When a gang of thieves, an "enemy within," is looting the place, Patriotism does not let them. The damage that is being done, both to this Nation and to the World community in which we all live, is obvious and fundamental. Patriotism loves a country too much to allow it to be robbed ... and its "sacred honor" to be besmirched.

[Liberal2]

",,,,These words are true...." Assuming you were referring to the commenter's definition....wrong! Or right, if in your mind the German pilots shooting down US bombers in WWII were patriots too.

No, I use different metric. Patriotism is demanding your nation do the right thing, and being willing to put your life and liberty on the line regardless whether the enemy is your fellow citizen, your government, or another country. Been a long time since I've seen anyone who qualifies. Hell, I don't. But Martin Luther King does, and I'm not black.

[TexasDem0]

Patriotism is standing by the principles on which this country is founded. Those principles are clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. That means opposing illegal actions that violate those principles, regardless of who committed those violations, including, and especially, a president sworn to uphold those principles.

As Rev. Williams has stated, many of us have confused tokenism with patriotism. Tokenism is not patriotism. Many believe wearing a flag pin is patriotism. Slap a plastic magnet on your car, and you support the troops. How about supporting them by not allowing them to serve in an illegal Oil Grab War? How about voting out of office those who would deliberately ignore peaceful options, even lie, to pursue war?

The antithesis of patriotism is demonstrated by the GOP Congressional loyalists who provide cover for crimes against the nation by forestalling investigation and prosecution. This is either misguided loyalty, or self-protection due to complicity. Either way, it is not patriotism.

[wanked]

Patriotism=dissent

[bgregs]

Patriotism is loving the country so much that you would rather see yourself destroyed than the country. This does NOT mean that you must serve in the military, but rather that you would be willing to fight even the government if you believe that it is violating the principles of the country. Our government has not always been right, one need only look at the FISA law as now written, or the USA PATRIOT act, or back to the days of Nixon, Joe McCarthy, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the new Alien and Sedition acts of WWI to see that. But there have always been some American Patriots who stood up to power and said, "NO, what you're doing is WRONG!"

I can no longer stand and face the flag when it goes by. I refuse the National Anthem, and I not only don't RECITE the Pledge of Allegiance, I don't do ANY of it. There are those who call me traitor for my actions. I don't care what they think, for I KNOW that I've done my duty, I KNOW that I served my country with Honor. Eventually this will either all play out and I will again be able to salute the flag of my country, or I will not have a country, because we will collapse into dictatorship. I will do EVERYTHING to ensure that it's the former!!!

[bmora]

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Someone said that.

[RedDogBear]

"Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." But let it be considered, that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest."

James Boswell quoting Samuel Johnson.