A quick blog about patriotism
By Emma.
I grew up in a time when the left was very uneasy about patriotism. It was closely associated with nationalism, and the National Front had taken our national symbols and corrupted then for their own narrow, nasty and violent ends.
But I am proud of a lot of what has been fought for and won in this country. I don’t think being British makes us inherently better than anyone else. But I do feel lucky to have been born into the country that has provided so well for me and my future.
I’m happy to call myself a patriot where my parent’s generation might not have been. However I do not define my patriotism as “my country right or wrong” but by a desire to continue to improve the lot of those who live and work here. I don’t believe that you can be a patriot and not criticise your country. My love for my country includes the desire to see it be the best it can be, not to hark back to a mystical past that never really existed.
So for me, I am happy to celebrate the country of the achievements of Wat Tyler, David Bowie and Tim Berners-Lee. But don’t ask me to cheer the bloody royal wedding!
Tags: Labour, patriotism
Thursday, June 16th 2011 at 17:26
Lovely blog!
I am very much in tune with your sentiments.
Patriotism is fine and admirable.
So, too, is internationalism.
And the two are not mutually exclusive.
Thursday, June 16th 2011 at 18:56
Hi Emma,
In the mid-1980s, the great American singer/ song-writer Jackson Browne wrote a superb and impassioned appeal for an awakening of true American patriotism in his song, For America.
He was not afraid to criticise.
[ as if freedom was a question of might, as if loyalty was black and white.
you hear people say it all the time - "My country, wrong or right" ]
[ the thing I wonder about the Dads and Moms
who send their sons to the Vietnams
Will they really think their way of life
has been protected as the next war comes? ]
[ the kid I was when I first left home
was looking for his freedom and a life of his own
but the freedom that he found wasn't quite as sweet when the truth was known.
I have prayed for America
I was made for America
I can't let go till she comes around
Until the land of the free
is awake and can see
and until her conscience has been found.]
Now, that’s what I call patriotism!
I reckon we may regard Jackson Browne as a true patriot – one with his eyes open and his brain engaged, and fully prepared to speak up for the real true founding values of his country.
But some would say it was peddling dangerous intellectual left wing ideas.
hmmm, just a thought, but maybe patriotism is a left wing concept, a kind of obverse to right wing nationalism???