Nationalism is often marked by “us versus them” rhetoric and behavior. Nationalists believe that people who don’t believe in the superiority of a nation or culture are somehow lesser. A patriotic attitude is marked by an understanding of a nation’s history, accomplishments, and positive contributions to culture. Patriotism also recognizes a nation’s failures and negative influence.
A patriotic person may be moved by an appeal to their love of their country. However, alert citizens should be aware of the intentions of the messages they hear and the potential impact of the actions they seek to accomplish. How patriotic you are is not determined by how well you conform to what messages propaganda circulates as truth. Patriots can love their country without blindly following the popular majority.
Read books and articles by authors writing today. Stay as up to date as possible about what it means to be a member of the country where you live.
What people were native to the lands that are now your country? What grows there? What animals call it home? Learn everything you can about the place you call home.
Learn about the beliefs others have about their own countries. What does it mean to be patriotic in European countries? In the Americas? In Africa? National identities and attitudes are as varied as the countries they’re found in.
Find causes you believe in. What issues affect your country today? What are the most important problems facing your nation? Learn about your country’s foreign policy. How does your country relate to the world? What role does your country play in its region?
No nation is free of faults. The United States, for examples, has a history of prejudice and racism, which still influences its culture today. Knowing this, researching this, and understanding this doesn’t make you less patriotic. Know your country’s past and be watchful of your government today to prevent future atrocities and abuses of power.
This doesn’t have to be a big deal. If you feel patriotic, just talking to your neighbors and looking out for people can be a sign of this. Influence the way things go down in your neighborhood. Make it a safe place you’re proud to call home. That’s patriotism.
In some countries, flags are commonly flown outside of homes in support of the nation. In others, this would be a strange sight. It doesn’t make the residents of the latter home any less patriotic. Displays are the cheapest form of patriotism. It takes more than a symbol to be really patriotic. It’s fine to show it, but never question anyone else’s patriotism for not showing it.
