Immigration Issues: 5. The prideful p-word
I think we have already established from previous entries in this series that when you're an immigrant, you just can't win. It's a constant back-and-forth and there is no escaping the judgement from either side of the identity spectrum, but when it comes down to really cracking down on an immigrant's sore spot, there's nothing like taking a good swing at it with something called patriotism.
In its original meaning and purpose patriotism means the love of one's country - a definitely positive attitude and action, a virtue that inspired great heroism. That's what I'm told anyway. And it's not that I'm against loving one's country or loving "my" country for that matter, that's not the issue. The issue for the immigrant is "what is my country?" and since that one will fade to the background to give priority to love, commitment and loyalty to friends and family from the different countries the immigrant has lived in, patriotism in its traditional sense is impossible... and irrelevant.
That does not sit well with most people though. Saying, you do not feel patriotic for any particular country is heresy. Alright, almost. It's insulting and ungrateful. To who? Well, to whoever feels you owe loyalty to a homeland (obviously their own). It is possible that patriotism really does exist in its pure form. It is possible that it inspires good things. To be honest though, I have not seen that happen... yet.
"You should be patriotic because this is a great country. It's better than most other countries."
- I know patriotism doesn't imply pride in the sense of feeling superior, just pride in the sense of gratitude and achievement. Unfortunately every time someone mentions patriotism it is to support their views on the superiority of their country. I understand that people will have a special place in their heart for the place they grew up in and for what's "theirs". We are all very fond of our own families, much more than of any other, but what it comes down to is putting other people down in order to see oneself emerge above. Patriotism is always used to boast and brag and to mask contempt.
"You should be patriotic because you owe your country what you are today."
- No. I owe many people what I am today. I owe many countries what I am today. I love the people more though. Today's borders are a consequence of deliberate decisions and bloody wars. Even though countries developed a common identity, my personal identity might not be woven of those same ingredients.
"We are all patriotic. We decide what that means and you are not it."
- Oh the times I have been given the feeling that without "being patriotic" (whatever that meant at the particular moment) I will be denied friendship and respect! What it really came down to is, that there was a group of people with a huge nothing where self-esteem and identity was supposed to be and patriotism filled it. It was an unspoken agreement that they will protect each other by covering up for the void, and patriotism was the name of the pact.
"You don't want to be pariotic because you shun commitment. You are a liberal wuss."
- I don't even want to go there.
Maybe my view is one-sided. I just grew weary of trying to argue nationalistic tendencies - just because they were relabeled "patriotic". I have seen too many places, too many people and too many common grounds to be able to draw lines and say: my country - your country. If as an immigrant you want to be true to your heritage, you will have to lie to yourself first in order to fit someone's concept of loyalty and identity. It's wonderful to be born and grow up in the same place, admittedly the immigrant doesn't know what that feels like. Does that make him lesser of a person? Does that imply a handicap, a fault, a mistake? I don't believe that and I therefore I don't believe that a "native's" true self is a direct result of having had the same passport all his life.
Patriotic pride thrives on two premises:
1. "All I've really seen in my life is my country, so it must be the best!"
2. "I've seen lots of other places, but I'm nothing if I can't feel superior to someone else."
Granted, that's not what "love of country" implies, but that's what's out there. Take it from an immigrant.
Yes, I think people confuse patriotism with pride. I never understand what "pride" is actually because I never know where that line is drawn between having a sense of comfort to simply thinking you are better because of where your family comes from.