Blind patriotism like blind love have created untold destruction in human society. Blind patriotism have lead people to support nuclear wars, produce nuclear weapons, have encouraged soldiers in imperialistic adventures, have urged people to support false causes, violate human rights, dominate and exploit weaker nations, have lead to religious riots and much more. Humanity has not suffered so much for an honored concept as patriotism.
A true patriot would rather risk being abandoned by the whole society as traitor for the sake of maintaining the human rights of people over the world. A true patriot would rather criticize his nation for the wrong doings like destroying some other nation’s sovereignty than join the chorus of false patriotism. A true patriot would rather point out the mistakes to rectify her for he has loved his motherland. A true patriot would rather say – ” I stood against my motherland, when she initiated wars, I disapproved of it when she tried to destroy the environment and humanity with nuclear weapons, I went against her when she tried to curtail some other nation’s liberty, when she tried to obtain an unequal share of resources in the world stage by dint of power. I had done so for I had loved her. I wanted it to be an epitome of liberty, equality and justice, I wanted not her history to be written tomorrow with the blood of innocent people. I want her to be an ideal nation and so I have risked everything for it, even the honor of being called a true citizen. I fear not being called a traitor for fighting for the sake of her development though just and honorable means. I have done it for I have loved it. And even though the whole of the nation have not approved of me, I have in my heart known that I have been able to provide an example of an ideal son/daughter for my motherland.”
Very well written…
ossum piece, if only every ‘patriot’ thought like you.