On Being Patriotic
The list of adjectives I assign to myself is pretty long: clumsy, organized, competent, uptight, etc. One that might surprise you: patriotic. I fully understand what it means to be an American and am darned happy about living here. But, I have a beef (that part won't surprise you). I've grown tired of certain segments of the population thinking that they've cornered the market on patriotism or that they can dictate precisely how the rest of us express ourselves when it comes to our shared country and flag.
Sometimes it seems like the Toby-Keith-boot-in-yer-ass brand of patriotism drowns out the rest of us. For the record, I don't believe that patriotism requires a love of NASCAR, a disdain for immigrants, a Republican voting record, or a preference for country music. Nor does it require adherence to a specific religion.
I've seen Facebook posts from some of my friends and acquaintances that call for all of us to return to the "Christian principles on which our country was founded." Did you know that John Adams and John Quincy Adams were Unitarian? It's a little presumptuous to believe that every person walking around New England in 1776 subscribed to precisely the same religious beliefs. I know a lot of nice Christian people but have trouble with the whole American = Christian = Incontrovertibly Good Person scenario. I have a friend who's Buddhist - is she allowed to fly the stars and stripes on her flagpole?
The other common refrain is for immigrants to "learn the language, damnit!" Or at least that's what the bumper stickers tout.
As Jack White (in the White Stripes song "Icky Thump") so aptly sang:
White Americans
What? Nothin' better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out
You're an immigrant too.
Who's using who?
What should we do?
Well you can't be a pimp
And a prostitute too.
It's hard to say it much better than that. Should recent immigrants learn English? I don't know. Maybe. But if they choose not to, they're really only inconveniencing themselves, don't you think? Honestly, I'm pretty well convinced that there are plenty of red-blooded Americans born right here in the U.S of A. who speak the language so poorly that it's barely recognizable as their native tongue. You should see some of the adoption applications we get through the rescue. Sometimes we have to read them over and over again and take our best guess as to what the applicant was trying to say. (As a side note, if you cannot spell Shih Tzu, you may not own one. That's my proclamation.)
I feel fortunate that I grew up so close to the nation's capital. It was a diverse environment, to say the least. I had friends whose parents hailed from Vietnam, Korea, Japan, China, Mexico, Spain, and India. In my mind, an American citizen is an American citizen (and, in fact, passing the citizenship test requires a greater knowledge of American history than most of us have stored in our brains). I don't get to be "more American" because my family got here a little earlier than some. I found it so disheartening, after 9/11, to learn of the rampant violent acts that occurred against American citizens who just happened to be brown. There were reports of hate crimes against Sikhs, Pakistani-Americans, and others who had no connection whatsoever to Islam, Al Qaeda, etc. For that matter, declaring open season on Americans who practice Islam is another shameful chapter. Sure, there are people across the globe who hate Americans and some of them are downright dangerous, but throwing out the baby with the bathwater seems awfully short-sighted and, well, un-American.
I have an American flag and fly it proudly. I married a Marine who gave four years of service to our country. I stand when I hear the national anthem and raise my right hand to my heart. I don't support the war but I do support the troops. I vote. I appreciate the fact that I can freely criticize my government if I feel like it, work wherever I want, and practice any religion I choose. Just don't tell me you're somehow a better citizen than I am. I'll shove a boot in yer ass.
Sometimes it seems like the Toby-Keith-boot-in-yer-ass brand of patriotism drowns out the rest of us. For the record, I don't believe that patriotism requires a love of NASCAR, a disdain for immigrants, a Republican voting record, or a preference for country music. Nor does it require adherence to a specific religion.
I've seen Facebook posts from some of my friends and acquaintances that call for all of us to return to the "Christian principles on which our country was founded." Did you know that John Adams and John Quincy Adams were Unitarian? It's a little presumptuous to believe that every person walking around New England in 1776 subscribed to precisely the same religious beliefs. I know a lot of nice Christian people but have trouble with the whole American = Christian = Incontrovertibly Good Person scenario. I have a friend who's Buddhist - is she allowed to fly the stars and stripes on her flagpole?
The other common refrain is for immigrants to "learn the language, damnit!" Or at least that's what the bumper stickers tout.
As Jack White (in the White Stripes song "Icky Thump") so aptly sang:
White Americans
What? Nothin' better to do?
Why don't you kick yourself out
You're an immigrant too.
Who's using who?
What should we do?
Well you can't be a pimp
And a prostitute too.
It's hard to say it much better than that. Should recent immigrants learn English? I don't know. Maybe. But if they choose not to, they're really only inconveniencing themselves, don't you think? Honestly, I'm pretty well convinced that there are plenty of red-blooded Americans born right here in the U.S of A. who speak the language so poorly that it's barely recognizable as their native tongue. You should see some of the adoption applications we get through the rescue. Sometimes we have to read them over and over again and take our best guess as to what the applicant was trying to say. (As a side note, if you cannot spell Shih Tzu, you may not own one. That's my proclamation.)
I feel fortunate that I grew up so close to the nation's capital. It was a diverse environment, to say the least. I had friends whose parents hailed from Vietnam, Korea, Japan, China, Mexico, Spain, and India. In my mind, an American citizen is an American citizen (and, in fact, passing the citizenship test requires a greater knowledge of American history than most of us have stored in our brains). I don't get to be "more American" because my family got here a little earlier than some. I found it so disheartening, after 9/11, to learn of the rampant violent acts that occurred against American citizens who just happened to be brown. There were reports of hate crimes against Sikhs, Pakistani-Americans, and others who had no connection whatsoever to Islam, Al Qaeda, etc. For that matter, declaring open season on Americans who practice Islam is another shameful chapter. Sure, there are people across the globe who hate Americans and some of them are downright dangerous, but throwing out the baby with the bathwater seems awfully short-sighted and, well, un-American.
I have an American flag and fly it proudly. I married a Marine who gave four years of service to our country. I stand when I hear the national anthem and raise my right hand to my heart. I don't support the war but I do support the troops. I vote. I appreciate the fact that I can freely criticize my government if I feel like it, work wherever I want, and practice any religion I choose. Just don't tell me you're somehow a better citizen than I am. I'll shove a boot in yer ass.
Comments
I am tired of certain groups corning the market on "values".
I am tired of being told if I support a protest that its un-American. Speaking out against something is a high form of patriotism: defending conceptual borders and protecting the helpless.
I am tired of having to PROVE I am Patriotic by having to point out that I was raised by a Marine & my grandfather was a WWII Navy Scout & Raider. (original SEALs) I don't want to have to say, well I have "friends" who are patriotic. My dad always said, "He who takes Sh@@ deserves sh@@" (Marine talk) and if I do, he'll put a size 12 up my a@@.(he really was kind,, I swear) So I am speaking out, voting for someone other than a GOP, and so glad people like you are speaking out also. Keep up the great rescue work, I do work here in Va. and see firsthand the troubles this economy has had on the poor pets.
Thank you so much!
Katy Waitt
Again, awesome piece and keep up the good work. Oh, and SEMPER FI! :)
To me patriotism means that I AM my 'brother's keeper.' I owe my fellow citizens the same respect I expect from them, as well as all the same benefits I get by simply being an American - regardless of race, creed, color, financial status, employment, music choice, sports choice, religious choice, or any other lifestyle choice or situation.
I stand when the flag goes by in a parade. I sing the National Anthem. My Mom and Dad, my husband, as well as several of my siblings, served in the military.
I am a Liberal AND I am a patriotic American.
Thank you for giving all of us Patriots a voice. Because I, too, am getting tired of getting drowned out by the shouting.
“Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.”
-Mark Twain
And third, your subtitle is a line from my favorite Bruce song.
Hoo-ahh. Fantastic.
Always thought Icky Thump is a perfect piece of writing as well.
And here's another small contribution, this is by Hendrix:
I used to live in a room full of mirrors
All I could see was me
Then I take my spirit and I smash my mirrors
And now the whole world is here for me to see.
Patriotism ,in some respects, is like marriage: it's the small things that matter.
Thank you.
Regards from Mexico City.
(I am Mexican and I hope the spelling is not that bad).
"I find it difficult to believe that I belong to such an idiotic, rotten species — the species that actually boasts of its freedom of will, heroism on command, senseless violence, and all of the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism."
~ Albert Einstein
I think it's fear, self-esteem issues or plain ignorance growing up in a prejudicial environment, lacking role models that espouse fairness, equality and justice for all.
It's easy to become apathetic, discouraged, outraged, misdirected in a world gone mad from capitalistic corruption, greed, hatred and war.
It is in these time that people like yourself become examples for others, not so much to criticize but by their deeds and actions as loving and caring human beings. That it's o.k. to disagree with someone or something but not to engender a racist hatred.
We all share this planet together and we the public shall and must reclaim our sovereign rights by standing against the tyranny, fear and corruption.
With people like yourself that are indeed the majority, we shall prevail not through violence but through understanding.
Thank you for your courage.
http://www.wcti12.com/video/index.html
You can view and sign the petition here, anyone 13 and older :
http://wh.gov/g0d
Please help me get US citizenship for my daughter and others.
Repeal breed banned Laws Everywhere,Justice for all includes all God`s creatures
These people have at least one American parent but are DENIED citizenship or even a VISA to come to the US to reunite with their US parent
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
Ratified by the US Senate with President John Adams signature on 10 June, 1797
Those that beat their guns into plows will plow for those that don't.
I worked as a domestic for my whole career, but I can't for the life of me figure out why I have a right to what someone else earned. I DO NOT!!! Yet some of you seen to think that "justice" means that I do.
Am American with a different perspective.