patriotism
Perhaps its just because I've watched yet another Frank Capra movie, but I've got patriotism on the mind. I suppose its also from a bit of a conversation with a certain person today, but I started thinking about how patriotic I am. Is it possible to love the basis and principles on which a country was founded, but not love many aspects of it today? I adore the USA and every good intention on which it was founded, but as many of you know, I loathe the way that its run today.
Do people even know what it means to be an American anymore? I hate how after 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq, "Proud to be an American" bumper stickers started popping up like dandelions. Why are those people proud? Because their great and powerful country just bombed the shit out of another country? Now THERE'S something to be proud of. Before 9/11, if you saw a random American flag, you'd give it a weird look, because patriotism wasn't something you had to outwardly prove.
I wonder now what it was like to be truly patriotic. The most patriotic men and women who ever existed, in my opinion, were those who fought in the Civil War. I'm not saying that the people who fought in WWII or other wars weren't patriotic or brave, but the Civil War was OUR WAR. Those men and women tore a country in half and then fought in order to preserve their beliefs and rights as a free nation. Nothing but unwavering, dediction and love of a country could cause people to sacrifice their lives in a cause like that. Heh, back when "defending your country" was ment literally.
Anyhoo... I wanted to write this because I've been thinking about future career paths, foreign service being one of them. As fed up with this government as I am, I feel like I'd be abondoning the country where I grew up. I remember when I was little, whenever I'd hear "The Star Spangled Banner" at a baseball game or something, I'd get goosebumps listening to it. I remember that in that moment, I was proud to be an American. Cheesy, I know. But the last time I heard it... there was no such effect. Disappointment followed, and I hate to think that this country itself is making me jaded.
I'm not sure where to stand now, but I'm sure as hell not going to let any politician convince me that I'm being "un-American" for questioning my loyalty to this country.
Do people even know what it means to be an American anymore? I hate how after 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq, "Proud to be an American" bumper stickers started popping up like dandelions. Why are those people proud? Because their great and powerful country just bombed the shit out of another country? Now THERE'S something to be proud of. Before 9/11, if you saw a random American flag, you'd give it a weird look, because patriotism wasn't something you had to outwardly prove.
I wonder now what it was like to be truly patriotic. The most patriotic men and women who ever existed, in my opinion, were those who fought in the Civil War. I'm not saying that the people who fought in WWII or other wars weren't patriotic or brave, but the Civil War was OUR WAR. Those men and women tore a country in half and then fought in order to preserve their beliefs and rights as a free nation. Nothing but unwavering, dediction and love of a country could cause people to sacrifice their lives in a cause like that. Heh, back when "defending your country" was ment literally.
Anyhoo... I wanted to write this because I've been thinking about future career paths, foreign service being one of them. As fed up with this government as I am, I feel like I'd be abondoning the country where I grew up. I remember when I was little, whenever I'd hear "The Star Spangled Banner" at a baseball game or something, I'd get goosebumps listening to it. I remember that in that moment, I was proud to be an American. Cheesy, I know. But the last time I heard it... there was no such effect. Disappointment followed, and I hate to think that this country itself is making me jaded.
I'm not sure where to stand now, but I'm sure as hell not going to let any politician convince me that I'm being "un-American" for questioning my loyalty to this country.