Complaints lead to progress
Americans have recently adopted a rigid, often unconscious concept of patriotism. To be a true American is to be a patriot. And to be a patriot is to be uncritical of American policies, democracy and capitalism.
This strict patriotism takes an extreme stance on any criticism of fundamental American concepts or policies. To consider the weaknesses in democracy, to discuss the fundamental flaws of capitalism or acknowledge its how it can be abused, to identify American actions as negative or destructive in the affairs of other countries — all, in our current discourse, are construed as anti-American.
This attitude on patriotism is contrary to the nature of American democracy. If we had a perfect society, we wouldn't need democracy. Our government would serve a purely administrative function, and government officials would only be replaced upon retirement or death.
By choosing to vote on government leaders every few years, Americans admit that there is still progress to be made — and we have not yet figured out how to make that progress.
The true danger of this concept of patriotism is that it remains unspoken and unconscious. We often see people get defensive against the perceived attack on America.
We must remember true Americans are not those who see nothing wrong with the country, but those who choose to be active citizens — even if their contribution is to point out the country's flaws.
Our country is not perfect, but it never ceases to reach for that standard, and that is what makes it admirable. To deny that need for progress is to deny what makes us great. And that is more anti-American than any single criticism.
More Like This
Column: Protesting is patriotic
By Linden Atelsek | Aug. 31, 2016