Patriotism can take many forms. Personally, I find patriotism important to one’s life. If you do not have anything positive to say about your country, what is the point of living there? I think patriotism can be very dangerous when it leads to ultra-nationalism, this is often how democracies die.
- Sleep…Aka A Huge Waste of Time
- The Full Spectrum of Laziness
- George Washington: An Incredible Leader
- Comparing Human Lifespan to Top 10 Longest Mammal Lifespans on Earth
- Momentos Frozen in Time
Living in the United States and especially being a historian can challenge one’s patriotism because of our sworded past. Slavery, civil war, segregation, Hiroshima, Watergate, and on it goes…however, history gives me a lens to view my country from because I have spent a lot of time studying other countries.
I do not think the United States is the best country in the world, but I on balance when judged against other countries, I feel relatively lucky to live here. We have democracy, freedom of speech, the free market, abundant resources and geographic isolation, all of which have allowed us to flourish as a nation. Many countries do not have much of these things, if any. Life in many countries is a bitter struggle made worse by overpopulation and globalization.
I love the people of America, we are a very diverse group, a big noisy family that is trying to work things out. Although we have a lot of social, political, and economic differences, when the chips are down, we come together and make an unstoppable force.
We are a nation of immigrants largely, most of whom have come here to make a good life for themselves, to own a home, to have a good career, to become educated and American. My grandfather’s name is inscribed at Ellis Island we he came here. He worked as a baker for 40+ years to give his family a better life, to me that is what makes America truly great.
Thanks for reading The Lifelong Learning and Education Blog!
Discussion Question
- How do you feel about your country? Do you feel patriotic or not? Do you think America is the greatest country in the world? Why or why not?
- Sleep…Aka A Huge Waste of Time
- The Full Spectrum of Laziness
- George Washington: An Incredible Leader
- Comparing Human Lifespan to Top 10 Longest Mammal Lifespans on Earth
- Momentos Frozen in Time
What are your thoughts on this?