Daily writing prompt

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

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I used to be a “love it or leave it” guy, I guess– back in my Boy Scout days– but then things got more complicated and I started reading books, listening to different opinions, doing a bit of traveling, seeing things for myself.

I wouldn’t consider myself patriotic right now. I still root for the American athletes at the Olympics but am much less disappointed if they don’t do well. And given the current leadership and combative atmosphere in this country, patriotism is a word I associate with ignorance and hubris. It gets thrown around and misused, or used as a weapon to threaten conformity to an authoritarian, Christian Nationalist agenda I have no desire to support.

So, no, since my understanding of patriotism comes with a layer of introspection and critique that the current administration likely finds aggravating, distasteful, and somehow unpatriotic.

Daily writing prompt

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

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I used to be. Not so much lately, if by patriotic one means a flag-waving, “America- love it or leave it” unquestioning allegiance. The whole concept of national pride isn’t holding as much water as it once did. It’s starting to feel provincial and naive. I’m tired of all the boasting and crowing and concern with “national interests.”

That being said, when the Olympics roll around, or there’s some other international sporting event, I still root for Americans most of the time.

I’m moved by the ideals and possibilities of what America could be, what the world could be– not by what we’re currently seeing and hearing from our so-called leaders.