Can't speak for other people, but I myself never really understood patriotism, neither in germany nor in any other country. Why should I be proud of being born in a arbitrary defined area of some square miles? Or why should I be proud of the accomplishments by other random german citizens? Or my ancestors?
Some of them did good things, others did bad things. I am very aware of that, and I think its good to preserve this awareness and remembrance, but I don't have a very "personal" feeling about that. Neither do I believe in inherited pride, nor in inherited guilt.
I only can be proud of what I accomplished myself. Thats all.
This is difference between patriotism and nationalism as defined by George Orwell in Notes on Nationalism.
Patriotism is defensive devotion to particular place and a particular way of life. Nationalism seeks prestige. A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige.
As a naturalized citizen of the United States, I've had the phrase "If you don't like it here, then leave" thrown at me a few times when talking about things like the lack of universal health care or lack of employee rights. I never understood why accepting the status quo of a country made you patriotic. Isn't it more patriotic to stay in a flawed country and work to make the country a better place?
I believe "patriotism," defined as the unconditional love of your country, is definitely a flawed trait to have. But patriotism defined as the desire to make the place you live better is definitely a trait to admire.
Of course, some people's idea of making a place "better" is getting rid of all the colored folk. Those people's problem isn't their patriotism but instead their stupidity.
Stummi on May 26th, 2017 at 09:31 UTC »
Can't speak for other people, but I myself never really understood patriotism, neither in germany nor in any other country. Why should I be proud of being born in a arbitrary defined area of some square miles? Or why should I be proud of the accomplishments by other random german citizens? Or my ancestors?
Some of them did good things, others did bad things. I am very aware of that, and I think its good to preserve this awareness and remembrance, but I don't have a very "personal" feeling about that. Neither do I believe in inherited pride, nor in inherited guilt.
I only can be proud of what I accomplished myself. Thats all.
Edit: RIP Inbox
so-and-so-sokrates on May 26th, 2017 at 09:54 UTC »
This is difference between patriotism and nationalism as defined by George Orwell in Notes on Nationalism.
Patriotism is defensive devotion to particular place and a particular way of life. Nationalism seeks prestige. A nationalist is one who thinks solely, or mainly, in terms of competitive prestige.
dreadpirateloki on May 26th, 2017 at 11:37 UTC »
As a naturalized citizen of the United States, I've had the phrase "If you don't like it here, then leave" thrown at me a few times when talking about things like the lack of universal health care or lack of employee rights. I never understood why accepting the status quo of a country made you patriotic. Isn't it more patriotic to stay in a flawed country and work to make the country a better place?
I believe "patriotism," defined as the unconditional love of your country, is definitely a flawed trait to have. But patriotism defined as the desire to make the place you live better is definitely a trait to admire.
Of course, some people's idea of making a place "better" is getting rid of all the colored folk. Those people's problem isn't their patriotism but instead their stupidity.