What does being patriotic mean to me?

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

When showing love to one’s country, its traditions, its values, honoring its heroes, and remembering those who came before you, that made all of it possible, you are being  a patriot. However I think it must be looked at from a much deeper perspective.

Flying old glory.

Being, or in this case understanding what being a patriot is, brings with it many questions that must be answered.

Bring me your tired masses. Those who seek refuge, escape from persecution and the manifest destiny of becoming an American.

Freedom of speech.

When someone says this phrase to you, which of course is article 1 of our declaration of Independence, what does that bring to mind?  I can say anything I want, right? Well yes, to put it shortly, you can. However the ability to say what one wants brings with it repercussions. Especially if saying what one wants throws caution, decency and kindness to the wind. Knowing there is a right place and right time to say what one wants comes with this freedom. Understanding this, is part of being a patriot. Not just the application of your rights but understanding its implications is part of this “unalienable” right as well. The anti defamation league was founded by Jewish lawyers to protect the right to say however morally reprehensible it may be, a Nazis right to say what they believe. Which in this case was how much they hated Jews. Imagine those client & lawyer conversations protected under rights of the constitution that the statements of the clients not be used against them by their lawyers no matter what kind of threat it may be. Necessity does make strange bedfellows. I believe knowing, interpretation of the founding fathers writings, and how it was to be applied in this circumstance is definitely patriotic. To fight in the face of common decency to protect even an enemy’s rights couldn’t be more patriotic, as atrocious this may sound in today’s world, it has been demonstrated and held up many times since. This 1st amendment right, that by default is the basis of all the other rights and therefore understanding how it is applied and then upheld, is the single most patriotic right an American has to display his or her patriotism.

The civil rights marches of the 60’s

Black men and women weren’t just allowed to march in protest of equal rights, it was in fact their 1st amendment right to do so. It took a lot of violence, blood and in some cases our nations youth to make it so, but just like the anti defamation league did for the Nazis right to free speech and assembly to protest we had our bill of rights amendments added to adjust the constitution to not just include but boldly underline how EQUALLY WE ARE ALL CREATED. Understanding this history of our nation is also patriotic. Acknowledged crimes against humanity in the south against the black population in places like Birmingham, Memphis, Mississippi etc. if ignored or covered up are a direct violation of this first amendment, the right to assemble, the right of free press to not have to give up their sources in pursuit of the truth, all of these are the bravest hallmarks of patriotism our country has endured.

The artistry, while appropriated, couldn’t be given credit to the roots it came from without the 1st Amendment.

Yes, the king of rock n roll stole many of his earliest hits, style and dance moves from black culture. But without the 1ST Amendment, we couldn’t even discuss it. Knowing this, and giving credit where credit is due is also an act of patriotism. To say what one wants, regardless of the repercussions is the exact basic tenant of the 1st Amendment that we all as Americans place such high value on. Even if it means to an extent not rewriting of history but applying the right credit where it was earned and to some extent, even taking “The King” down a notch or two is FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Even ignorant corporate capitalism can lead to positive outcomes when protected by free speech.

As a child of the 80’s I was basically guaranteed at least 1 of 3 things would happen to me during the course of growing up. 1. I would probably, if not careful catch AIDS. #2 I could very likely become addicted to drugs (but not cigarettes or alcohol) and finally if we let the USSR have their way, we would all be blown away in a nuclear Holocaust. All 3 of these things I was taught religiously day after day. After school tv specials, commercials, text books and parental and teachers ranting and raving over all of it were all items of FREE SPEECH.

Thanks to MTV and my generation’s suspicions, that our parents had no frickin idea of what they were telling us, we overcame the bigotry against AIDS, the USSR fell and “just say no!” turned into understanding addiction is a disease.

While walking against AIDS, Uncle Ronnie telling Berischnikov to tear down that wall, and through FOIA we found that the CIA had infiltrated our black neighborhoods with the crack epidemic that later turned into the opioids crisis, once white middle america suburbs fell victim to the disease of addiction, none of this would be known, discussed or even thought of as common knowledge without our 1st Amendment. Which in case you’ve missed during this entire explanation of what is patriotic was, has and always will be led by the people, not it’s government. That is the very definition of what that amendment, the parchment it was written on, and the very definition of patriotism. Honoring what we were founded on, defending what it means, brother against brother if need be, but in the end, the one thing that brings us all together, to be patriots. So say what you have to say!

Believe what you believe and speak on it.

Did we?

Tell your neighbor, write your congressman or the president.

One shooter?

But, just because someone says something you don’t agree with, it doesn’t mean the 1st Amendment, doesn’t apply to them as well. Understanding THIS, is what defines patriotism just as much as the willingness to defend and die for your country…….

It has been and always will be the voice of the dissenting that brings about change, that moves us forward, that ideas form into idealism, while paving the way to new beliefs and understanding that is and always will be the embodiment of patriotism.

It will always be those who think differently, the odd balls, those who march to a different beat that force us to see things in a different light, to understand and as a country to realize our differences are our strength. If looked at with the right kind of eyes we can see the difference between possibilities and reality. Saying so is protected, believing it is not. But I like to think of those of us who dare to say what others won’t, set the stage for that NEW reality the old guard resists while the young dream of.Who give courage to those who can effect change to start the rising tide of support, the dreams to reality, and a future with hope.