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As chairman of my VFW Post's youth programs I have to deal with this question and it's becoming increasingly contentious. As a veteran I represent all who serve/served when I write or speak to our young people and want to get this correct (Note: I didn't say "Right"). Ordinarily, I would simply go with my own interpretation but words have been weaponized in recent times as the debate has shifted from politics to ideology. For example, in searching for the definition of "Patriotism" on the Internet, I was surprised and dismayed to find the following:
patriotism
[ˈpātrēəˌtizəm]
NOUN
the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
"a highly decorated officer of unquestionable integrity and patriotism"
synonyms:
nationalism · patriotic sentiment · allegiance/loyalty to one's country · loyalism · chauvinism · jingoism · flag-waving · isolationism · xenophobia
I have a mild disagreement with the definition and strongly disagree with the selection of synonyms. It seems obvious to me that the proponents of this definition are attempting to discredit anyone who counts themselves a patriot. Indeed, I would highly object to anyone applying any of the synonyms to me.
My definition of "Patriotism" is simple: Love of country. In application, loving my country doesn't mean I hate others. Loving my country doesn't mean that I want to isolate it from others. Indeed, America was, is, and likely will always be a trading country. Isolationism simply isn't compatible with International trade. Yes, there was a time when isolationism guided our foreign policy, but hopefully we learned our lesson and won't go there again.
Once upon a time, patriotism was love of state but the American Civil War crushed that idea. Yes, most of us have an affinity for our state of birth and maybe even our state of residence, but love of nation now prevails inasmuch as we learned that our rights spring from the national Constitution and states can often be parochial.
I believe that the attacks on patriotism, such as demonstrated in the definition I have cited, spring from ideologues who advocate fundamental change such as shifting the focus from nations to a one world government. Thus, we are expected to shift our allegiance from our nation to our world community much as we shifted our allegiance from our state to our nation following the Civil War. I know there are some on RP who agree with this concept but they haven't yet convinced me. Whereas citizens of the several states found common grounds on which to compromise, I cannot conceive of any such compromise occurring between citizens of the many nations of the world. Americans, by and large, are guided by the foundation of Western Civilization and, as we watch clashes between civilizations replacing clashes between ideologies since the end of the Cold War, I can't see us compromising with Sinic, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Western, Latin American, African, and Orthodox civilizations. Can you imagine compromising our rights and freedoms with any people who fear individual responsibility for the sake of forming one world government? I can't.
So, yes, I love America. Like you, I have served America. Do I love it "right or wrong"? Actually, yes I do, however I will not allow the "wrong" to stand without attempting to correct it, and I do so out of love.
So, what's the big deal? Why am I obsessed with this? Simple. As I mentioned, I am a member of the VFW and our national charter makes "patriotism" an issue. It's right there in our national charter in its listing of purposes... "...promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism..." Some see this as a bad thing and our children are being taught to revile patriotism. I run into this attitude, especially among teachers, when I arrive on campus to promote our essay competitions, Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy, which are based on patriotic themes.
Now join me in the cauldron. What is patriotism? Is it good or bad, righteous or evil?
patriotism
[ˈpātrēəˌtizəm]
NOUN
the quality of being patriotic; devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.
"a highly decorated officer of unquestionable integrity and patriotism"
synonyms:
nationalism · patriotic sentiment · allegiance/loyalty to one's country · loyalism · chauvinism · jingoism · flag-waving · isolationism · xenophobia
I have a mild disagreement with the definition and strongly disagree with the selection of synonyms. It seems obvious to me that the proponents of this definition are attempting to discredit anyone who counts themselves a patriot. Indeed, I would highly object to anyone applying any of the synonyms to me.
My definition of "Patriotism" is simple: Love of country. In application, loving my country doesn't mean I hate others. Loving my country doesn't mean that I want to isolate it from others. Indeed, America was, is, and likely will always be a trading country. Isolationism simply isn't compatible with International trade. Yes, there was a time when isolationism guided our foreign policy, but hopefully we learned our lesson and won't go there again.
Once upon a time, patriotism was love of state but the American Civil War crushed that idea. Yes, most of us have an affinity for our state of birth and maybe even our state of residence, but love of nation now prevails inasmuch as we learned that our rights spring from the national Constitution and states can often be parochial.
I believe that the attacks on patriotism, such as demonstrated in the definition I have cited, spring from ideologues who advocate fundamental change such as shifting the focus from nations to a one world government. Thus, we are expected to shift our allegiance from our nation to our world community much as we shifted our allegiance from our state to our nation following the Civil War. I know there are some on RP who agree with this concept but they haven't yet convinced me. Whereas citizens of the several states found common grounds on which to compromise, I cannot conceive of any such compromise occurring between citizens of the many nations of the world. Americans, by and large, are guided by the foundation of Western Civilization and, as we watch clashes between civilizations replacing clashes between ideologies since the end of the Cold War, I can't see us compromising with Sinic, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Western, Latin American, African, and Orthodox civilizations. Can you imagine compromising our rights and freedoms with any people who fear individual responsibility for the sake of forming one world government? I can't.
So, yes, I love America. Like you, I have served America. Do I love it "right or wrong"? Actually, yes I do, however I will not allow the "wrong" to stand without attempting to correct it, and I do so out of love.
So, what's the big deal? Why am I obsessed with this? Simple. As I mentioned, I am a member of the VFW and our national charter makes "patriotism" an issue. It's right there in our national charter in its listing of purposes... "...promote Americanism by means of education in patriotism..." Some see this as a bad thing and our children are being taught to revile patriotism. I run into this attitude, especially among teachers, when I arrive on campus to promote our essay competitions, Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy, which are based on patriotic themes.
Now join me in the cauldron. What is patriotism? Is it good or bad, righteous or evil?
Posted in these groups: 
Patriotism
Patriotism
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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Frankly, CPT Jack Durish, you’ve already done the heavy lifting on this discussion thread. I agree with your observations and sentiments. Some of the so called synonyms are appalling at even being suggested as such!
Chauvinism is extreme patriotism (historically) and is mostly in use now as male chauvinism. Most people don’t even know how the word was derived.
Xenophobia is really a shameful reach for a synonym, especially as it pertains to patriotism toward the United States. Has anyone ever considered how the United States came to be known as the melting pot?!
I took the oath of enlistment and the oath of office as a commissioned officer. I believe in those words, especially the oath of office. Patriotism is good and righteous.
SGM (Join to see)
Chauvinism is extreme patriotism (historically) and is mostly in use now as male chauvinism. Most people don’t even know how the word was derived.
Xenophobia is really a shameful reach for a synonym, especially as it pertains to patriotism toward the United States. Has anyone ever considered how the United States came to be known as the melting pot?!
I took the oath of enlistment and the oath of office as a commissioned officer. I believe in those words, especially the oath of office. Patriotism is good and righteous.
SGM (Join to see)
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I suspect the average American doesn't quite understand the difference between patriotism, nationalism and jingoism. We've turned "American exceptionalism" into it's own theology, and labeled it "patriotism".
https://www.dictionary.com/e/patriotism-vs-nationalism/
https://www.dictionary.com/e/patriotism-vs-nationalism/
"Patriotism" vs. "Nationalism": What's The Difference?
Patriotism and nationalism both involve pride in one's country, but one has a much more positive connotation than the other. Do you know which is which?
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The way I see it, patriotism is still devotion to and support for one's country.
And I see no conflict between one's own patriotism and one's own belief that our country as a whole needs to improve and subsets of our country definitely need to improve.
It is disappointing that there are those who would say that chauvinism, jingoism and xenophobia are synonymous with"patriotism".
Many of those same people who would seek to redefine patriotism to demonize it would also state that an incarcerated felon or a drug addict is not inherently evil and could still rehabilitate and be a productive, contributing member of society, and they would place all their faith and hope on that belief and in that person.
That is no different than expressing patriotism for one's country, while understanding there are wrongs to right and problems to fix.
And I see no conflict between one's own patriotism and one's own belief that our country as a whole needs to improve and subsets of our country definitely need to improve.
It is disappointing that there are those who would say that chauvinism, jingoism and xenophobia are synonymous with"patriotism".
Many of those same people who would seek to redefine patriotism to demonize it would also state that an incarcerated felon or a drug addict is not inherently evil and could still rehabilitate and be a productive, contributing member of society, and they would place all their faith and hope on that belief and in that person.
That is no different than expressing patriotism for one's country, while understanding there are wrongs to right and problems to fix.
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