In the Last 4 years we have heard the word Patriot used over and over again as a definition of a real American. Websters Dictionary describes a Patriot as “A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” Wikipedia adds a Patriot is “Patriotism or national pride is the feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to a homeland and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment. This attachment can be a combination of many different feelings relating to one’s own homeland, including ethnic, cultural, political or historical aspects.”
The Label of Patriot has been attributed to the flag waiving followers of Donald Trump. Anyone who does not support him is considered not to be a patriot or to possess the attributes of patriotism. It is a sad thing when such a prestigious word which has been attributed to the forefathers of this country who fought for independence and to all of the soldiers who have defended the freedoms of this country in every major war and conflict has become the calling label of a group of people who have an allegiance to one person. I would say the allegiance is to a political party, but those who support Trump defy most of the principles of the party.
Because one may wave a flag, stand for the pledge of allegiance, but refuse to wear a mask to save lives doesn’t make one a patriot. Because one claims being required to wear a mask denies them of their personal freedom and civil rights but are silent about children being separated from their parents and locked in cages doesn’t make one a patriot.
National pride and love of country and one’s fellow man is performed everyday by the Patriotic men and women in the medical profession who have worked countless hours trying to save lives in the midst of a pandemic. Patriots are those who serve in our military to defend the liberties we enjoy in this country. Patriots are the law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily to serve and protect in light of the bad ones who have disparaged the profession. Patriots are those who sacrifice their comfort to wear a mask out of love for the people of every walk of life in our country.
A Patriot is one who believes in our democracy even when it results in defeat. They accept the results of an election and the will of the people work with the incoming president to build a more perfect union.
When pledge allegiance to the Flag of this great country it is not to a man. It is to the constitution and this great experiment in democracy. When we say “One Nation under God, that is a call for oneness and unity of the people of this country. Refusing to follow CDC guidelines based on personal preference, refusing to accept the results of a democratic election and placing one’s trust into a man is not the attributes of a patriot. It is not the elements of true patriotism. True Patriotism is a willingness to work together dispite differences of political affiliation, culture, ethnicity or origin.
