Monday, July 4, 2011
My Lack of Patriotism: A Self Reflection.
Something I have always struggled with on the 4th of July is that I have no real deep emotional ties to being an American. I feel bad that I don't but if I were to rank it on labels that I could apply to myself, it would still be towards the bottom of my list. It would be above hypoglycemic and sufferer of IBS that is for sure. But for me, Mother, Pagan and Wife would be a close tie for the top spot. I didn't realize how low it ranked for me until this morning when I was sitting at the parade this morning here in Independence, IA next to a woman who was Canadian and celebrating her first 4th of July. She was wearing a denim dress with an American flag bandana on her head, while I sat next to her wearing a hippy skirt and a coral top. I was one of the only people not wearing red and blue. The fact of the matter is though, I don't wear, or own for that matter, many red and blue clothes. It is just not my favorite colors or ones that I feel a connection to. Yes I value freedom, it has been a mantra for me for a long time. But all the political stuff for me, it has always degenerated my faith in my country. This side arguing with that one, people not getting to live their lives with out politics and the law getting in the way. The fact that I have to pay an arm and a leg to see a doctor and maintain a healthy life style while everyone argues about it makes me cringe internally. I could go on and on here, but when I do, I feel even less of a connection. For me this day really is about eating corn, being with family, enjoying the weather and the fireworks. Because true freedom is in my heart and soul.
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10 comments:
The problem here, it seems, is confusion between the "USA" and its government. The government is chock full o' asshats who want to infringe upon our liberties. That said, you live in one of the few countries (and the number is shrinking) in which you can post a blog like this without some government agent showing up at your door to take you away as a dissident. THAT is something to be patriotic for.
I'm grateful that I live in American because of the freedoms it grants me. I wrote a blog about it today and really had to search deep to figure out why I'm glad I'm an American. Patriotic would be fairly low on my list as well.
Unfortunately I've read several blogs that have unjustly been targets of various government agencies because they believed in preparedness and called the government out on various asshat policies, etc. So I'd have to say that we are not even completely free online. I'm NOT very happy to be in this country at this moment in time because of our government. We are not as free as we are told we are. I like fireworks and I like bbq's so for me, this day is just a great excuse to have a bbq and see some pretty explosions.
I'd like to add on to say that even though I feel completely unpatriotic and cynical, I still don't think there is anywhere else that would be better. I still have a tread of hope...
I dont feel you are anti patriotic as much as you are apolitical. I think you appreciate the freedoms to live life on your terms, and that to me isnt unpatriotic.
You aren't alone. I have not particularly felt that any patriotic holy day was truly holy and thus had no desire to celebrate. However in my old age I have come to a place in which I make it my own. I still don't rush out to the nearest display of fireworks or cook a special meal (we had tacos and my daughters noted that on US patriotic holidays I tend to opt for tacos), but I did make it a day special to me. It may be simpler to focus on those freedoms that we do have that others don't.
I concur with Arokk's sentiment and couldn't agree more. The government isn't the country - it's men with their own agendas. The ideals the country was founded on are still intact which is why the argumentative discourse is needed.
Imagine being in a country where you don't have to worry about what government officials are doing because you don't get a say in it. Blindly following (not to imply at all that is what you are doing) certainly isn't better than actively following the chaos that is our system. Without us keeping up with that "chaos" we wouldn't be as free (in comparison to a good number of other countries)...
I'll leave it at that and ignore some of the other comments before I say something that gets me in trouble. :)
I think your feelings are completely normal. I go out for our National holidays (I'm in Quebec where our province has the status of its own nation) but it's for the fun of the day. Inflated toys for the kids, concerts, fireworks. I am overall proud to be Quebecker and Canadian (not proud of the government really though) but it's not the most important thing. I also don't list these as my top identifying labels and don't see any reason for that to be wrong.
I think you guys definitely nailed it.. I have issues with the way our government has become an enabler and partner for massive corporate greed. I feel that the original goals of this country have been forgotten and I am not okay with that. I want freedom... and states to be able to make their own decisions for their residents (another reason for federal decriminalization of marijuana).. I want to be able to live my life the way I choose and not have to worry about paying for other people and having my rights taken away.
There are many patriotic Americans who disagree with the Government; that does not take away from our sense of personal freedom. We do need to safeguard these freedoms, however, be being involved with our Government even if just voting. I found a profound lack of patriotism in our community's 4th of July parade. Only 24 entries, and many did not even have a patriotic theme. This is a shame.
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