(opinion/discussion) The other day I saw one of those giant lifted trucks spewing black smoke behind two oversized flags. One was the American flag, the other was the ‘blue lives matter’ flag. When I see those trucks I assume that person is a racist and probably supported the attempted coup which almost took away our American democracy- the very thing we built our nation for. This got me thinking about what it means to be a flag-waving patriot.
Wikipedia says patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and attachment to one’s country.
As a millennial liberal with an electric car I am probably the antithesis of big truck guy but I too am a proud flag-waving American
Frustrated citizens often say things like “I could never love a country that did so-and-so horrible thing”. Many of us would not want to wave a flag because they associate it with those horrors. But “Love of country” is not love of our government or their actions. You would be hard-pressed to find many throughout history who loved all the actions of their leaders. Whether ruled by a king, a Pope, a warlord or a muti-party democracy there will always be faults to find. There will always be room for improvement. Therefore the government must be excluded from the definition of patriotism.
What is our country if not the actions of our government, then? Here’s what it means to me. It means my family, my neighbors, my friends. It means BBQ and Philly cheesesteaks. I love cheering for our athletes in the Olympics. I love hiking in our National Parks. Have you been to Yellowstone? That’s our country! So is Elvis and John Steinbeck and Thomas Edison. If you think that slavery defines America then consider that there were also abolitionists who gave everything to fight it. If you think a mass shooting is what the flag represents then consider those who line up to donate blood in a crisis. Remember the words of the great American Mr. Rogers, “look for the helpers.”
No, the wrongs of our leaders are not what the flag represents to me. I have and will continue to vote in ways to make my country, state, and city better. I will protest injustice and vote with my wallet. I will speak out loud and fight for the laws and government that I believe in. I do that because I love my country. Call it my love language.
Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and attachment to one’s country. You are my country. Even though I do not know you I will always fight to make your life better. I wave the American flag for you. Go wave the flag and let it stand for the goodness we believe in. Don’t let racists take our flag as a symbol of hate.
That’s why I would love to change people’s minds about that very behavior. The idea that patriotism is only about loving the president. There’s a lot to be said for optics you know? When the only people flying flags are Trumpies the optics of that is that only republicans love their country. We all are Americans. We should all be able to wave it for what the flag stands for and not for whoever is in office. There is too much division in this country and the flag is a powerful symbol for that. It’s not a flag for red team or for blue team, but the blue team sure is acting like it and absolutely losing this battle.
and PS- the Trumpies are still waving the flag during Biden presidency. You know who isn’t?
(opinion/discussion) The other day I saw one of those giant lifted trucks spewing black smoke behind two oversized flags. One was the American flag, the other was the ‘blue lives matter’ flag. When I see those trucks I assume that person is a racist and probably supported the attempted coup which almost took away our American democracy- the very thing we built our nation for. This got me thinking about what it means to be a flag-waving patriot.
Wikipedia says patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and attachment to one’s country. As a millennial liberal with an electric car I am probably the antithesis of big truck guy but I too am a proud flag-waving American
Frustrated citizens often say things like “I could never love a country that did so-and-so horrible thing”. Many of us would not want to wave a flag because they associate it with those horrors. But “Love of country” is not love of our government or their actions. You would be hard-pressed to find many throughout history who loved all the actions of their leaders. Whether ruled by a king, a Pope, a warlord or a muti-party democracy there will always be faults to find. There will always be room for improvement. Therefore the government must be excluded from the definition of patriotism.
What is our country if not the actions of our government, then? Here’s what it means to me. It means my family, my neighbors, my friends. It means BBQ and Philly cheesesteaks. I love cheering for our athletes in the Olympics. I love hiking in our National Parks. Have you been to Yellowstone? That’s our country! So is Elvis and John Steinbeck and Thomas Edison. If you think that slavery defines America then consider that there were also abolitionists who gave everything to fight it. If you think a mass shooting is what the flag represents then consider those who line up to donate blood in a crisis. Remember the words of the great American Mr. Rogers, “look for the helpers.”
No, the wrongs of our leaders are not what the flag represents to me. I have and will continue to vote in ways to make my country, state, and city better. I will protest injustice and vote with my wallet. I will speak out loud and fight for the laws and government that I believe in. I do that because I love my country. Call it my love language.
Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion, and attachment to one’s country. You are my country. Even though I do not know you I will always fight to make your life better. I wave the American flag for you. Go wave the flag and let it stand for the goodness we believe in. Don’t let racists take our flag as a symbol of hate.
It’s kind of a catch 22 though, isn’t it?
I’d love to put up a flag at my house, but at the same time, I don’t really want to be associated with most people flying flags like that.
On the other hand, the optics of flying the flag won’t change unless more average Americans start doing it too…
I guess the solution is to have multiple flags to make it 100% clear, US flag, State flag + I dunno, an LGBTQ+ flag or something.
I fly a U.S. Flag, a Colorado flag, a Colorado Rainbow flag, and the Air Force flag at various times throughout the year.
I didn’t fly the U.S. flag during the Trump Administration because I felt the United States wasn’t supporting its people.
That’s why I would love to change people’s minds about that very behavior. The idea that patriotism is only about loving the president. There’s a lot to be said for optics you know? When the only people flying flags are Trumpies the optics of that is that only republicans love their country. We all are Americans. We should all be able to wave it for what the flag stands for and not for whoever is in office. There is too much division in this country and the flag is a powerful symbol for that. It’s not a flag for red team or for blue team, but the blue team sure is acting like it and absolutely losing this battle.
and PS- the Trumpies are still waving the flag during Biden presidency. You know who isn’t?
I feel like there’s too much baggage attached to the American flag. I think we should find a new flag that represents us.
A few ideas, bonus if you recognize all of them.
The U.S. Flag represents its people not a political party or individual. I usually flag the Colorado Flag because my state is awesome.
The common people are the country. We can be proud of them.