Now That's Patriotic!
Given the date, it’s socially appropriate (though by no means mandatory) that I discuss patriotism a bit. Now, I'm not talking about the ribbon-wearing, flag-waving, blind and counterproductive kind of patriotism. Let's face it, all that accomplishes is making everyone depressed and stuck in the same mindset that we should be fearful and protectionist rather than tolerant and accepting. And regardless of your feelings/thoughts/opinions on 9/11 and the government and what have you, patriotism is neither the promised salvation of this country nor is it the reason for its slow and frustrating decline.
I'm talking about true patriotism here, the kind of whole-hearted embrace of one's freedoms that is often passed over for more symbolic or dogmatic mainstream displays. Forget the parades and ceremonies. Those are routine and almost socially mandated expressions of freedom. And if "mandated expressions of freedom" didn't seem like an oxymoron to you, I invite you to explain how it makes rational sense. I'd love to send my cynicism packing.
You may be asking yourself then, what sort of gestures is she talking about? The fact is that it is up to the individual. That's precisely the point. The notion that our understanding of patriotism has been watered down to marking dates with pomp and circumstance and token displays of red, white, and blue is upsetting to say the least.
So here's a question: What happened to embracing the revolutionary (read: constantly evolving, not antagonistic) spirit that has been an underlying tenet of American society from the beginning? Say what you will about the media, the government, and other institutions of collective thought but they have done only as much harm as we have allowed them to. Certainly there's something to be said for their monumentally successful efforts in raising the American pubic to be vastly unaware and unquestioning, but there’s a point where self-realization needs to occur in the individual.
Perhaps what is more damaging than the institutions themselves is the sense of apathy rampant in those who realize what's going on, the sense that they are completely powerless against it even in their day to day lives. This could not be further from the truth. If you’re not into the ceremonies and rote patriotism of the masses, do it your own way. Perhaps your patriotism entails running down a street laughing for no other reason than the fact that you can. What better celebration for freedom could there be than understanding and participating in it?
Maybe you choose to do nothing and let days like 9/11 and Independence Day pass without a second thought. It’s your prerogative as an American enjoying the dwindling level of freedom that we are afforded. It’s not offensive, it’s patriotic. Those who disagree simply differ in their interpretation of the word.
There is truth in the phrase: Freedom is patriotic. If there’s any kind of obligation that an American should feel to their country at all, it is to uphold that notion in their everyday lives; I will, however, be the first to say that forcing this idea is self-defeating and entirely hypocritical. So exercise those freedoms every day. That is, of course, only if you want to. It is freedom after all.
I'm talking about true patriotism here, the kind of whole-hearted embrace of one's freedoms that is often passed over for more symbolic or dogmatic mainstream displays. Forget the parades and ceremonies. Those are routine and almost socially mandated expressions of freedom. And if "mandated expressions of freedom" didn't seem like an oxymoron to you, I invite you to explain how it makes rational sense. I'd love to send my cynicism packing.
You may be asking yourself then, what sort of gestures is she talking about? The fact is that it is up to the individual. That's precisely the point. The notion that our understanding of patriotism has been watered down to marking dates with pomp and circumstance and token displays of red, white, and blue is upsetting to say the least.
So here's a question: What happened to embracing the revolutionary (read: constantly evolving, not antagonistic) spirit that has been an underlying tenet of American society from the beginning? Say what you will about the media, the government, and other institutions of collective thought but they have done only as much harm as we have allowed them to. Certainly there's something to be said for their monumentally successful efforts in raising the American pubic to be vastly unaware and unquestioning, but there’s a point where self-realization needs to occur in the individual.
Perhaps what is more damaging than the institutions themselves is the sense of apathy rampant in those who realize what's going on, the sense that they are completely powerless against it even in their day to day lives. This could not be further from the truth. If you’re not into the ceremonies and rote patriotism of the masses, do it your own way. Perhaps your patriotism entails running down a street laughing for no other reason than the fact that you can. What better celebration for freedom could there be than understanding and participating in it?
Maybe you choose to do nothing and let days like 9/11 and Independence Day pass without a second thought. It’s your prerogative as an American enjoying the dwindling level of freedom that we are afforded. It’s not offensive, it’s patriotic. Those who disagree simply differ in their interpretation of the word.
There is truth in the phrase: Freedom is patriotic. If there’s any kind of obligation that an American should feel to their country at all, it is to uphold that notion in their everyday lives; I will, however, be the first to say that forcing this idea is self-defeating and entirely hypocritical. So exercise those freedoms every day. That is, of course, only if you want to. It is freedom after all.