Op-ed on Patriotism: The Difference Between Nationalism and Patriotism
By Camila Lopez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
By Camila Lopez, Senior, iPreparatory Academy
Patriotism has always had negative and positive notions attached to it, but Merriam-Webster defines it as nothing more than the “love for or devotion to one's country.” So, when does it evolve into an idea that is more sinister: Nationalism? Although they sound similar, there is a distinct difference between these two versions of pride. When one’s patriotism is unwavering and absolute, it becomes Nationalism, a harmful and dangerous roadblock to change. Patriotism, however, is what drives the change, granting people a sense of responsibility over their country and what it can do to improve.
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The fundamental base that dictates the way Americans live alongside each other is the Bill of Rights. When the United States was founded, the Bill of Rights was written to guarantee the liberties of every American citizen. According to the Constitution Center, The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantees the freedoms of religion, assembly, press, petition and speech. Since then, some patriotism has morphed into Nationalism and been used as an excuse to trample over other people's rights on the basis of a sense of superiority to them. But, fighting for your rights is an exceedingly patriotic act. It’s about holding the country and its government accountable for its actions and bringing to light any injustices it supports. It’s about acknowledging the difference between right and wrong, even if you yourself are not being wronged. |
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On the other hand, Nationalism informs citizens that there is no possible way some citizens have their rights ripped from them because that would mean the country has failed, and it, to a Nationalist, has not. This notion is evident in the opposition to the Black Lives Matter protests. Common rebuttals include that BIPOC inhabitants of the United States simply do not work as hard as white people, an immensely incorrect and racist statement supported by and displaying Nationalist tendencies. At the same time, a patriot that follows the true and fair meaning of the word would acknowledge the importance of these protests and the difficult discussions to dismantle systemic and systematic racism in the United States.
Eli Harold, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid protest during the national anthem at an NFL game (Oct. 6, 2016) Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images file
One example of the differentiation between the manifestations of Nationalism and Patriotism started in August of 2016 when Colin Kaepernick, a football player for the San Francisco 49ers, remained seated during the National Anthem at a preseason game. As reported by the Washington Post, he told members of the press: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way.”
As his protests garnered national attention, the focus shifted. People became blinded by their personal beliefs and refused to see Kaepernick’s message. Instead of compassion, opponents argued that the players were insulting the base of their patriotism, and in doing so, insulting the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. In his article for NBC News, a former Army Green Beret, Nate Boyer, made it clear that it was Kaepernick’s right to demonstrate during the Anthem, even though he didn't agree with his method. The players made this distinction: They are not protesting the flag, they are demonstrating in front of it, using the powerful symbolism it holds to further their message.
Ultimately, Kaepernick exercising his freedom to not stand is a fundamentally patriotic act. His version of patriotism is distinct from the nationilst opposition to him, and it reflects this: he cared for the American people so much, he wanted the country to change for them. He can’t afford to ignore the injustices and feel unwavering pride for a broken system. Ultimately, pride in the United States should mirror Kaepernick’s, and it should include the attempts to improve the country and make it a better place for everybody who lives here. Nationalism will only harm the country and further isolate it from progress.
As his protests garnered national attention, the focus shifted. People became blinded by their personal beliefs and refused to see Kaepernick’s message. Instead of compassion, opponents argued that the players were insulting the base of their patriotism, and in doing so, insulting the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. In his article for NBC News, a former Army Green Beret, Nate Boyer, made it clear that it was Kaepernick’s right to demonstrate during the Anthem, even though he didn't agree with his method. The players made this distinction: They are not protesting the flag, they are demonstrating in front of it, using the powerful symbolism it holds to further their message.
Ultimately, Kaepernick exercising his freedom to not stand is a fundamentally patriotic act. His version of patriotism is distinct from the nationilst opposition to him, and it reflects this: he cared for the American people so much, he wanted the country to change for them. He can’t afford to ignore the injustices and feel unwavering pride for a broken system. Ultimately, pride in the United States should mirror Kaepernick’s, and it should include the attempts to improve the country and make it a better place for everybody who lives here. Nationalism will only harm the country and further isolate it from progress.
European countries, such as Germany, are a prime example of the conscious fight against Nationalism and the positive adoption of patriotism. A German Marshall Memorial Fellow and Texas lawyer, Scott Schwind, noted this difference in his article when he traveled around Europe and posed the question: “Did they feel the same love of country and state that I do?” In Germany, for example, Schwind saw how heavily their Nationalistic history weighed on the patriotism of German citizens. Their patriotism strayed far away from any sense of superiority (Nationalism), and instead, focused on the admiration of the good in their country and the unique qualities their culture gives them. The United States also has a history of abuses and oppression behind it, but that guilt doesn’t weigh down on the minds of citizens like it does in Germany.
In order for America to face its issues, it must acknowledge that Nationalism is a dangerous justification for the mistakes of America and allows for rampant oppression. Patriotism, on the other hand, allows Americans to take responsibility for their country and find solutions to make it a better country for everybody living in it.
In order for America to face its issues, it must acknowledge that Nationalism is a dangerous justification for the mistakes of America and allows for rampant oppression. Patriotism, on the other hand, allows Americans to take responsibility for their country and find solutions to make it a better country for everybody living in it.
Works Cited
“An American's View of National Identity and Patriotism in Europe.” The German Marshall Fund of the United States, 1 Dec. 2015, www.gmfus.org/blog/2012/11/02/americans-view-national-identity-and-patriotism-europe.
Boren, Cindy. “A Timeline of Colin Kaepernick's Protests against Police Brutality, Four Years
after They Began.” The Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020,
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/01/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-history/.
Boyer, Nate. “Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem and America: How Military Service
Influenced My Views on Patriotism and Protest.” NBCNews.com, 29 July 2019,
www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-america-how-military-service-influenced-my-ncna906956.
“Patriotism.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriotism.
“The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” National Constitution Center – The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-i.
“An American's View of National Identity and Patriotism in Europe.” The German Marshall Fund of the United States, 1 Dec. 2015, www.gmfus.org/blog/2012/11/02/americans-view-national-identity-and-patriotism-europe.
Boren, Cindy. “A Timeline of Colin Kaepernick's Protests against Police Brutality, Four Years
after They Began.” The Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020,
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/01/colin-kaepernick-kneeling-history/.
Boyer, Nate. “Colin Kaepernick, the National Anthem and America: How Military Service
Influenced My Views on Patriotism and Protest.” NBCNews.com, 29 July 2019,
www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/colin-kaepernick-national-anthem-america-how-military-service-influenced-my-ncna906956.
“Patriotism.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriotism.
“The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.” National Constitution Center – The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendment/amendment-i.
