Ok, what do we know about the term "patriot"? One who loves his or her country and supports its authority interests and fights for country? Ok, maybe.
But what does it really mean today? I mean, what is meant by the term to be patriotic? Is it like to be a soldier and blindly follow the orders? Or be one of big politicians and cover the dirty work "for the good of the country's" slogan?
What it is really like?
Patriotism in America has been redefined since the end of WWII. In the past 65 years or so, Americans have become a much divided citizenry, with self-serving agendas, and little thought or appreciation for our founding principles. It's no longer flag, honor, freedom, pride, and one nation one people. We've become more of a nation concerned with self than concerned with country. We still raise the flag, celebrate the 4th of July, but it's not the same patriotism as it was pre 1950's. We no longer fight for justice, freedom, rights, and equal representation. We've become passive, negligent, apathetic, and centered more on blame than solutions. Our country takes a backseat to "self".
A true patriot stands with a country, not against it. A true patriot fights for all the right things, and challenges anyone or anything that threatens the foundation of independence, justice, freedom, and equal representation. A true patriot is willing to sacrifice all in order to preserve the principles of one nation, one people, and one flag. So much of that has been lost over the years, and now a patriot is anything from a natural born citizen to someone standing in the streets shouting and supporting our enemies. Patriotism is sacred to those that have realized the blessings of a free nation, and freedom from an oppressive government.
In America, patriotism is being redefined, not only by the citizens, but by the very government that we've entrusted with protecting the very foundation of democracy. We're asked to be patriotic and to love and honor country, even when country shames every principle of freedom and democracy. In today's America, a patriot is merely one that votes, pays taxes, and dwells within their own little bubble of existence. We no longer have fighting patriots that challenge the establishment, nor questions absolute authority. We obey, resign ourselves to be submissive servants of the state, and remain relatively silent to oppressive measures imposed by the government. So, what is a patriot? One would have to research history to see the meaning of true patriotism and real patriots. It's doubtful that one could find many examples on the streets of today's America.
