National identity. Patriotism. These large, umbrella terms hold a lot of meanings for a lot of different people, but as I reflect on my life, more and more I find myself steeped in a patriotic grey-area. In some aspects, America certainly isn't the finest country in the world. Like many other countries, it has its fair share of problems socially, economically, and statistically. I'm not trying to trash talk my country of residence, mind you, but I acknowledge that it still has a fair share of work to accomplish before it achieves that cherished concept of a perfect utopia. That said, I certainly wouldn't call it the worst country in the world either. For all the bad that is and has plagued the American people, we have undeniably made strides towards righting wrongs, and, through it all, attempted to better ourselves as a people.
Where does this leave me, then? How do I begin to reconcile my American identity amidst this swirling mess of good and bad? For one thing, I think a large part of my own national identity is my willingness to acknowledge that there is room for growth in my nation-- the idea that, as hard as some folks might find it to swallow, we aren't the perfect melting pot for society and culture. Even so, I strongly believe we have the potential and the means to improve ourselves and our society. The United States is much more than a globalized military or a star-spangled banner; it's a manifestation of a people, and that people comprises a rich and diverse set of cultures, hearts, and minds. I take a lot of personal pride in knowing I share a national heritage with those fine folks, and I eagerly look forward to seeing the work they do towards the betterment of this country.
Maybe that doesn't come off as patriotic, but I sometimes think people blur the line between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism, in the modern sense, might simply translate as a sense of honor towards one's homeland. Nationalism, using a definition a favorite teacher of mine coined, is, "extreme pride in one's own country, and a disregard for international opinion." It's fine to be patriotic-- I commend it-- but to evoke nationalism is to disregard the hard facts of the state of affairs, and to show a biased and unrealistic idea of what one's nation embodies. I do not think pride is inherently wicked, but in all matters, there's certainly too much of a good thing.
But if that is going overboard, then I'm still left to question what the proper ingredients are to create a healthy sense of patriotism. Maybe there's merit in mildness. Instead of shouting "Murica!" in response to any political or social question, it might do a lot more good to take some criticism while still keeping faith in one's country. Perhaps it's a matter of taking on multiple perspectives to understand issues from within and outside the nation, and to be informed of international, even global concerns. At the end of the day, I love my country, and will stand beside it for all my days. Though I may worry, though I have doubts, this remains unchanged. So maybe I'm not the popular model for an American patriot, but I have no cause to second guess myself, and I encourage you all to embrace your own forms of patriotism.
