Reclaiming the word Patriot

For many years liberals and intellectuals have been very uncomfortable with the word Patriot and the idea of Patriotism. Since the Vietnam war flag waving and claims of patriotism have been associated with right wing causes and organizations creating further alienation from the term. This disdain for patriotism has deepened the political divisions within the country, leading some to think that the left is actively anti-American.

This is unfortunate because patriotism is an important value which can and should be embraced by anyone in the country. Patriots love their country, but that love is not necessarily blind. It does not mean thinking that this is the best country in the world by all measures despite all evidence to the contrary. A true patriot should love their country enough to demand that it meets its potential. That clears the very high bar that our national creed and values set for it.

America is indeed an exceptional country. It was created based on a set of values and constituted from a diverse population almost entirely of immigrants. That is radically unlike old world nations which were either based on ancient ethnic, cultural, or linguistic divisions. It is also very different from countries carved up and established to suit the whims of colonial powers.

I love the United States of America, what it stands for, and what it has the potential to achieve. I am proud to call myself a patriot and will fight to reclaim the term. I will not hesitate to fly the flag and by proud of being an American while being a citizen of the world as well. In particular I will work to wrest it from the grasp of those who wrap themselves in the flag while actively opposing our core values and tenets.