Does it have to be? Is there no way to use patriotism to the benefit of everyone? I’m really asking, trying to think outside the box.
It’s clearly a powerful tool and a flag is a strong symbol. Conceding those things to people who abuse them seems to have proven to be a less than ideal strategy.
Patriotism necessitates seeing other nations as somehow less-than, it is an exclusionary and othering mindset that inevitably leads to bigotry. Borders are fake and shouldn’t be celebrated.
Regional pride isn’t as bad as long as there aren’t significant barriers for association. Loving a local food or art scene, or preferring a particular environment or set of social norms, is generally harmless but people still find ways to fight about it.
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Absolutely not, patriotism is just fancy nationalist cancer and “True American” messaging is a whisper away from anti-immigrant xenophobia.
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Yep, classic chauvinism.
Does it have to be? Is there no way to use patriotism to the benefit of everyone? I’m really asking, trying to think outside the box.
It’s clearly a powerful tool and a flag is a strong symbol. Conceding those things to people who abuse them seems to have proven to be a less than ideal strategy.
Patriotism necessitates seeing other nations as somehow less-than, it is an exclusionary and othering mindset that inevitably leads to bigotry. Borders are fake and shouldn’t be celebrated.
Regional pride isn’t as bad as long as there aren’t significant barriers for association. Loving a local food or art scene, or preferring a particular environment or set of social norms, is generally harmless but people still find ways to fight about it.