What is patriotism?

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:54:49 -0400

As chairman of my VFW Post's youth programs I have to deal with this question and it's becoming increasingly contentious. As a veteran I represent all who serve/served when I write or speak to our young people and want to get this correct (Note: I didn't say "Right"). Ordinarily, I would simply go with my own interpretation but words have been weaponized in recent times as the debate has shifted from politics to ideology. For example, in searching for the definition of "Patriotism" on the Internet, I was surprised and dismayed to find the following:
patriotism
[ˈpātrēəˌtizəm]
NOUN
the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
"a highly decorated officer of unquestionable integrity and patriotism"
synonyms:
nationalism · patriotic sentiment · allegiance/loyalty to one's country · loyalism · chauvinism · jingoism · flag-waving · isolationism · xenophobia

I have a mild disagreement with the definition and strongly disagree with the selection of synonyms. It seems obvious to me that the proponents of this definition are attempting to discredit anyone who counts themselves a patriot. Indeed, I would highly object to anyone applying any of the synonyms to me.

My definition of "Patriotism" is simple: Love of country. In application, loving my country doesn't mean I hate others. Loving my country doesn't mean that I want to isolate it from others. Indeed, America was, is, and likely will always be a trading country. Isolationism simply isn't compatible with International trade. Yes, there was a time when isolationism guided our foreign policy, but hopefully we learned our lesson and won't go there again.

Once upon a time, patriotism was love of state but the American Civil War crushed that idea. Yes, most of us have an affinity for our state of birth and maybe even our state of residence, but love of nation now prevails inasmuch as we learned that our rights spring from the national Constitution and states can often be parochial.

I believe that the attacks on patriotism, such as demonstrated in the definition I have cited, spring from ideologues who advocate fundamental change such as shifting the focus from nations to a one world government. Thus, we are expected to shift our allegiance from our nation to our world community much as we shifted our allegiance from our state to our nation following the Civil War. I know there are some on RP who agree with this concept but they haven't yet convinced me. Whereas citizens of the several states found common grounds on which to compromise, I cannot conceive of any such compromise occurring between citizens of the many nations of the world. Americans, by and large, are guided by the foundation of Western Civilization and, as we watch clashes between civilizations replacing clashes between ideologies since the end of the Cold War, I can't see us compromising with Sinic, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Western, Latin American, African, and Orthodox civilizations. Can you imagine compromising our rights and freedoms with any people who fear individual responsibility for the sake of forming one world government? I can't.

So, yes, I love America. Like you, I have served America. Do I love it "right or wrong"? Actually, yes I do, however I will not allow the "wrong" to stand without attempting to correct it, and I do so out of love.

So, what's the big deal? Why am I obsessed with this? Simple. As I mentioned, I am a member of the VFW and our national charter makes "patriotism" an issue. It's right there in our national charter in its listing of purposes... "...promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism..." Some see this as a bad thing and our children are being taught to revile patriotism. I run into this attitude, especially among teachers, when I arrive on campus to promote our essay competitions, Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy, which are based on patriotic themes.

Now join me in the cauldron. What is patriotism? Is it good or bad, righteous or evil?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 2 at 2020 12:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 12:55:57 -0400

Excellent share sir.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2020 1:18 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:18:41 -0400

The way I see it, patriotism is still devotion to and support for one's country.
And I see no conflict between one's own patriotism and one's own belief that our country as a whole needs to improve and subsets of our country definitely need to improve.

It is disappointing that there are those who would say that chauvinism, jingoism and xenophobia are synonymous with"patriotism".

Many of those same people who would seek to redefine patriotism to demonize it would also state that an incarcerated felon or a drug addict is not inherently evil and could still rehabilitate and be a productive, contributing member of society, and they would place all their faith and hope on that belief and in that person.
That is no different than expressing patriotism for one's country, while understanding there are wrongs to right and problems to fix.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 2 at 2020 1:40 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:40:07 -0400

Frankly, CPT Jack Durish, you’ve already done the heavy lifting on this discussion thread. I agree with your observations and sentiments. Some of the so called synonyms are appalling at even being suggested as such!
Chauvinism is extreme patriotism (historically) and is mostly in use now as male chauvinism. Most people don’t even know how the word was derived.
Xenophobia is really a shameful reach for a synonym, especially as it pertains to patriotism toward the United States. Has anyone ever considered how the United States came to be known as the melting pot?!
I took the oath of enlistment and the oath of office as a commissioned officer. I believe in those words, especially the oath of office. Patriotism is good and righteous.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 2 at 2020 1:50 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 13:50:20 -0400

I suspect the average American doesn't quite understand the difference between patriotism, nationalism and jingoism. We've turned "American exceptionalism" into it's own theology, and labeled it "patriotism".

https://www.dictionary.com/e/patriotism-vs-nationalism/

"Patriotism" vs. "Nationalism": What's The Difference?

Patriotism and nationalism both involve pride in one's country, but one has a much more positive connotation than the other. Do you know which is which?

Response by PVT William Murphy made Aug 2 at 2020 6:56 PM

PVT William Murphy — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 18:56:52 -0400

Patriotism. A load of rubbish.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2020 7:51 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:51:58 -0400

Patriotism is the love, devotion and support of our country.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Aug 2 at 2020 7:54 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 19:54:24 -0400

I'll agree with 'Love of/loyalty to country'. Personally, the U.S. may be nowhere near perfect but it's far better than anywhere else I've seen. American society has come a long ways in the last couple hundred years; I dare say further than many twice that age or more.

To my way of thinking, it seems too many people have lost a sense or desire to be part of something greater than themselves - why do that when it can be all about you and what you can gain?

I'm also shaking my head at some of those synonyms.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Aug 2 at 2020 10:41 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Sun, 02 Aug 2020 22:41:02 -0400

CPT Jack Durish we have an essay program for a scholarship as well and got no takers this year

Response by Wayne Soares made Aug 3 at 2020 3:05 PM

Wayne Soares — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 15:05:22 -0400

Great share brother Jack

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Aug 3 at 2020 5:53 PM

Patricia Overmeyer — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 17:53:20 -0400

CPT Jack Durish: "nationalism · patriotic sentiment · allegiance/loyalty to one's country · loyalism · chauvinism · jingoism · flag-waving · isolationism · xenophobia" I don't see the issue with any of these being synonyms to patriotism. We can look around the world at countries and the patriotism within these countries to find chauvinism, jingoism, flag-waving, isolationism and xenophobia. I don't think that was meant just for the USA. Certainly we can say that the current North Korea equates patriotism with isolationism; China with jingoism; Hitler's Germany with flag waving and xenophobia; etc.
To me, patriotism is a love of one's country with a deep seated commitment to right its wrongs on issues of human rights for all of its people. Patriotism is more than just entering the military service. Joining the Peace Corps, working on equality issues for different organizations, being a Red Cross volunteer, etc. can be just as patriotic. All humans have inalienable rights to more than just life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Inalienable rights have long been the discussion of philosophers and legal scholars. And it will continue long into the future as to what are inalienable rights, i.e. right to clean air and water, decent and adequate food, health care, adequate housing, adequate jobs, etc.
I encourage many young high school students whom I know to enter the VFW's two essays. I think that it helps them define for themselves what is patriotism, as well as provides a valuable experience in writing about a profound subject.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Apr 23 at 2021 2:01 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:01:55 -0400

CPT Jack Durish you have to remember that the definitions you posted by people in the largest welfare group in this country! Those who have done “NOTHING “ for their freedom. At least we Veterans, Active Duty and retired military put our lives on the line where others didn’t. Now to you original question to me it is unconditional service and loyalty to the Constitution of the United States as determined by the Supreme Court, Congress and President of these United States.