The lamprey's jawless sucking mouth and rasping teeth
Am I a patriot? I wonder. Do I meet the dictionary definition, i.e., “one who loves, supports, and defends one’s country?”
Why yes—yes I do. I’ve done all three.
And yet I am reluctant to take on that title. Too many adverbs and phrases have attached themselves like lampreys to the word, distorting its meaning. Too many people these days think that patriot means “one who blindly loves, supports, and defends one’s country no matter what.” And if you don’t, you’re not only not a patriot, you’re not an American either.
That’s a sad state of affairs. And there’s only one way back to a pure definition of patriotism, and that’s through exercising the rights, privileges, and duties of citizenship.
So call me a citizen. You will see me standing in line to vote. You will see me at PTA meetings. You will see me at local government hearings. You will see me on the streets protesting. You’ll see me writing my congressman.
You will not see me hiding behind the flag or wrapping my opinions and prejudices in it at the exclusion of others.
Be a citizen first. Patriotism just might follow.
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About Len
Born in a hospital that has since been torn down, grew up on a street that has since changed its name, in a house that has since changed its number. Everywhere around me my life seems to be erasing itself. Before the eraser finishes its work, however, I spend...