Patriotism
In President Obama’s speech to US schoolchildren this morning, I remember him saying something similar to, “if you quit on school, you are quitting on your Country.” I like his reference toward individual responsibility and the values inherent in a good education. I worry, however about his inference that graduation is in itself a patriotic act. I am concerned because of the dichotomy of responses the term Patriotism can illicit over time. On one hand Patriotism is defined as love of one’s country. However, extremism often cloaks itself in Patriotic zealous defense of the interests of one’s country, but not all would agree such actions to be nationalistic. In an eighteenth century reference by Dr. Johnson a patriot was defined as ‘a factious disturber of the government’. In reference to the demagogue John Wilkes, he also said that ‘Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel’.
Mr. Obama has done more to foment right, and left wing positive patriotism than any Presidency I have been privy to. However, the irony in opposing views on patriotism is as cavernous a gap as divides those that rise up for, and against, any change our President’s proffer. To affect change, within the framework of today’s fractious political and global climate, is challenge enough. I worry that he will exacerbate his tasks with an attempt to maintain the integrity of Patriotism when examples of such acts so often lead to disparate results.
