Michael's Corner

Patriotism? Mmm. It’s a term that has morphed, jumped the rails. Nowadays, some conflate it with, or have rebranded it “White nationalism.” A “white nationalist” is presumed male or, more specifically, a heterosexual male. In the West, white, heterosexual, and male have become an unfortunate trifecta; keeping to America, it’s become the 21st-century’s version of original sin. “White nationalism” was a term that sprang from the world of academia (a world that tends to be too generous) spread to social media and ended up on the lips of every other commentator afforded the liberty of yammering into a microphone.

Academics use to warn that it would not require a gymnast’s agility to leap from patriotism to nationalism to jingoism. Warranted or not, people bought into the fear. So, what’s to be done with a once-honorable term that nowadays raises a brow? How can we chisel away the notion that patriots are not NRA card-carrying nationalists?

In my humble nook of the world, many, in the nineties and aughts, flew the American flag from their homes. The number of flags has decreased in recent years. Perhaps some fear a dogwalker (there are many in my township) would assume a flag flyer of owning a certain political stripe or have voted for a particular candidate and encourage their pup to leave a parting gift on the lawn.

As for myself? Many years ago, during the 2002 Olympics, my wife asked, “Why are you rooting for the Dutch speedskaters?” I told her, “Speedskating is the national sport of The Netherlands.” For the same reason, I root for Norwegian ski jumpers; I like to see athletes bring home medals in sports that are important to their country. I guess, in a way, that makes me a citizen of the world, but I claim that with the understanding my own country must thrive.

We all have a border. Let’s call it “self.” I am also married and co-preside over a household in a community of which I am a part. My community is nestled in a state that’s one of fifty within a nation vital to the world, vice versa. That’s a multidimensional architype into which we must apply ourselves using varying degrees of iteration.

Indeed, My Country Tis of Thee, but with the understanding that patriotism cannot ascend to its ultimate paradigm unless we embrace the better angels of our nature.

Daily writing prompt

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

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