FROM BLOG "EMPTY IS FORM"
TOXIC PATRIOTISM
9/5/2004
Questioning a politician's patriotism these days in America is more damaging than expressing doubts about their sexual preference. It is healthy and productive to love and appreciate one's country. But too often, patriotism is used to describe a narcissistic nationalism that sets the United States and our interests above all other people of the world. In that sense patriotism is a psychological illness, not a laudable mental state.
When we cling so strongly to our identity as Americans, we can not experience our more fundamental connection with all living beings of the world. This is exacerbated by the deluge of messages designed to instill fear, anger and intolerance. Whether the issue is immigration, outsourcing, trade agreements or environmental treaties, other countries and their citizens are portrayed as our arch competitors at best, and as evil enemies at worst.
There are different ways to negotiate. One method is to wield power and coerce others to yield, or to walk away from agreements when we don't get our way. These techniques can accomplish short-term aims, but are destructive in the long run. For instance, the bridges we burned in racing to an invasion of Iraq now place the full brunt of the Iraqi occupation on our shoulders.
I suggest that we change course and choose to negotiate in the future with a true desire for fairness and with the interests of all parties in mind. There is a middle ground between selfishly pursuing our own interests without regard for the welfare of others on the one hand, and allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of on the other. It is possible for all sides to get what they need, but not to satisfy their greed.
An unhealthy understanding of patriotism paves the way for discord and contentiousness, both abroad and at home. We are slipping into a new era of McCarthyism with a litmus test for what it means to be a loyal American. You hear it in phrases such as "you're either with us or you're with the terrorists". You can notice it when politicians say "I'm not questioning their patriotism, but..."
I suggest that we tone down the level of American self-infatuation for our own good. We need a little less flag waving and a lot more bridge making. If we can consciously set aside our adversarial relationship with those of differing views, perhaps we can come together as a country and leave these last twelve years of emotional civil warfare behind us.
9/5/2004
Questioning a politician's patriotism these days in America is more damaging than expressing doubts about their sexual preference. It is healthy and productive to love and appreciate one's country. But too often, patriotism is used to describe a narcissistic nationalism that sets the United States and our interests above all other people of the world. In that sense patriotism is a psychological illness, not a laudable mental state.
When we cling so strongly to our identity as Americans, we can not experience our more fundamental connection with all living beings of the world. This is exacerbated by the deluge of messages designed to instill fear, anger and intolerance. Whether the issue is immigration, outsourcing, trade agreements or environmental treaties, other countries and their citizens are portrayed as our arch competitors at best, and as evil enemies at worst.
There are different ways to negotiate. One method is to wield power and coerce others to yield, or to walk away from agreements when we don't get our way. These techniques can accomplish short-term aims, but are destructive in the long run. For instance, the bridges we burned in racing to an invasion of Iraq now place the full brunt of the Iraqi occupation on our shoulders.
I suggest that we change course and choose to negotiate in the future with a true desire for fairness and with the interests of all parties in mind. There is a middle ground between selfishly pursuing our own interests without regard for the welfare of others on the one hand, and allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of on the other. It is possible for all sides to get what they need, but not to satisfy their greed.
An unhealthy understanding of patriotism paves the way for discord and contentiousness, both abroad and at home. We are slipping into a new era of McCarthyism with a litmus test for what it means to be a loyal American. You hear it in phrases such as "you're either with us or you're with the terrorists". You can notice it when politicians say "I'm not questioning their patriotism, but..."
I suggest that we tone down the level of American self-infatuation for our own good. We need a little less flag waving and a lot more bridge making. If we can consciously set aside our adversarial relationship with those of differing views, perhaps we can come together as a country and leave these last twelve years of emotional civil warfare behind us.
posted by BLONDIE at 11:52 AM
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