You made so many great points in this. Regarding what it means to be patriotic, it's hard for me to put my patriotism into words. I'm very happy to be an American. I'm glad my immigrant grandparents were able to leave the Irish famine and find a safe place to live. I love that America is filled with people from all over the world. I believe that's what has helped create so many technical and artistic advancements. It's a nation filled with the descendants of scrappy dreamers. I think the way our government has been set up is one of the best around, unfortunately it only works when both sides work together. Lately, it feels like both sides have forgotten that. Obviously, the US has been involved in some terrible things, even from its inception with the original Americans. I guess when I think of being patriotic, I think of it as aligning with the best of what we're trying to be as a nation. I've been reluctant to fly a flag at our house cause in many cases, when someone posts some especially mean comment online, I'll go to their profile and they'll be there- smiling with a flag. Just yesterday, the hate group, Patriot Front, marched through Nashville -all carrying our flag. I want our flag back.
Britt, I feel much of what you described as well. And I saw the videos of the Patriot Front group marching through the streets of Nashville carrying our flag. It made me sick. I thought it was interesting that they all had their faces covered. So cowardly.
Your emotions when seeing the flag used to support something wrong shows where your values lie. As a Canadian I feel similar to Canada. I believe both parts of North America could be both amazing if we all could love the way Marcia described. Our nations shadow sides are similar. I am by no means saying I’ve got it figured out but the fighting in this entire world boggles my mind and my heart aches. I just don’t understand why we all can’t spread a table of food and enjoy each other instead of hate. Where we sit down and own the crappy things of our past and try to do better.
I appreciate your perspective, Amie. It helps to hear from someone who lives in another country. I know that ALL countries have their shadow sides to deal with, and sadly it feels that hate and fear is growing all over the world, not just in North America. I guess all we can do is continue to spread love within our little spheres of influence. I'm so glad you are in my sphere. You are an encouragement to me!
This is great, thank you for writing! "A true patriot loves the PEOPLE of America, not just the IDEA of America" stands out to me - I will be thinking about that. You also have me thinking about those first Puritan settler-colonizers on Turtle Island and how perhaps they didn't actually want freedom of religion (as in, for everyone), they just wanted freedom to practice THEIR religion...
I appreciate how you pull everything together. It helps me calm the chaos and gives words to the cacophony. I agree completely. Thank you
Thank you, Ramona! Love you.
You made so many great points in this. Regarding what it means to be patriotic, it's hard for me to put my patriotism into words. I'm very happy to be an American. I'm glad my immigrant grandparents were able to leave the Irish famine and find a safe place to live. I love that America is filled with people from all over the world. I believe that's what has helped create so many technical and artistic advancements. It's a nation filled with the descendants of scrappy dreamers. I think the way our government has been set up is one of the best around, unfortunately it only works when both sides work together. Lately, it feels like both sides have forgotten that. Obviously, the US has been involved in some terrible things, even from its inception with the original Americans. I guess when I think of being patriotic, I think of it as aligning with the best of what we're trying to be as a nation. I've been reluctant to fly a flag at our house cause in many cases, when someone posts some especially mean comment online, I'll go to their profile and they'll be there- smiling with a flag. Just yesterday, the hate group, Patriot Front, marched through Nashville -all carrying our flag. I want our flag back.
Britt, I feel much of what you described as well. And I saw the videos of the Patriot Front group marching through the streets of Nashville carrying our flag. It made me sick. I thought it was interesting that they all had their faces covered. So cowardly.
Your emotions when seeing the flag used to support something wrong shows where your values lie. As a Canadian I feel similar to Canada. I believe both parts of North America could be both amazing if we all could love the way Marcia described. Our nations shadow sides are similar. I am by no means saying I’ve got it figured out but the fighting in this entire world boggles my mind and my heart aches. I just don’t understand why we all can’t spread a table of food and enjoy each other instead of hate. Where we sit down and own the crappy things of our past and try to do better.
I appreciate your perspective, Amie. It helps to hear from someone who lives in another country. I know that ALL countries have their shadow sides to deal with, and sadly it feels that hate and fear is growing all over the world, not just in North America. I guess all we can do is continue to spread love within our little spheres of influence. I'm so glad you are in my sphere. You are an encouragement to me!
Couldn’t agree more! Very well said, Marcia. 👏
Thanks for reading and for the solidarity, Don. ❤️
This is great, thank you for writing! "A true patriot loves the PEOPLE of America, not just the IDEA of America" stands out to me - I will be thinking about that. You also have me thinking about those first Puritan settler-colonizers on Turtle Island and how perhaps they didn't actually want freedom of religion (as in, for everyone), they just wanted freedom to practice THEIR religion...
Thank you, Liz. I'm glad it resonated with you! And yes, I wonder the same thing about our early settlers. Maybe it's always been this way...?