In a polarized US, how to define a patriot increasingly depends on who's being asked

[dalton99a]

Last edited Tue Jul 4, 2023, 12:55 PM - Edit history (1)

https://apnews.com/article/patriot-patriotism-meaning-independence-day-july-4-844de9b626ac6565cc64b723816080f3

In a polarized US, how to define a patriot increasingly depends on who’s being asked
By GARY FIELDS, MARGERY BECK and REBECCA BOONE
Published 11:02 PM CDT, July 3, 2023

Millions of Americans will attend parades, fireworks and other Independence Day events on Tuesday, celebrating the courage of the nation’s 18th century patriots who fought for independence from Great Britain and what they considered an unjust government. Those events also will honor the military and those who sacrificed in other conflicts that helped preserve the nation’s freedom over its 247-year history.

That is only one version of a “patriot.” Today, the word and its variants have morphed beyond the original meaning. It has become infused in political rhetoric and school curriculums, with varying definitions, while being appropriated by white nationalist groups. Trying to define what a patriot is depends on who is being asked.

THE ORIGINAL PATRIOTS

While the word’s origins come from ancient Greece, its basic meaning in American history is someone who loves his or her country.

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Here's someone who loves his country:

[Marthe48]

1. A lot of us going home for the 4th

No matter how old we get, going back to our roots makes the celebration more meaningful, and maybe more satisfying. Part of going home is nostalgia, part of going home is affection for home. We can see where we were and where we are. Some of us who go home might not have the whole-hearted enthusiam that others have, but we go. We might feel duty to family and friends, hope that something is different, or resolved, enduring loyalty, even love, to that place. I don't know anyone who doesn't have mixed feelings about home, but we return, in person, in memories, in spirit. However we think of home, if we don't feel about our country as we feel about our home, we are missing the point of patriotism and we are risking a loss of identity, belonging and purpose. No true patriot would burn down their home. No true patriot would burn down their country.