To preface this post, I consider myself a patriot of a particular kind, so it may be worthwhile to take everything I say with a grain of salt.
It is my view that the rebel is often the sincerest patriot. The rebel often has a vision for the country -- of what it is, of what it could be, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to push the country to live up to its true potential. The rebel is the person with the fortitude, the courage, and the conviction to not only stand up for his or her vision of the country, but take action, regardless of the hardship, to make that vision a reality. It is a nobility that is sorely lacking in American society today.
What, then, is patriotism, if its truest manifestation is in the rebel? Patriotism, then, is twofold. The first aspect is having a vision for the country -- an ideal version of the country that is equitable for all people involved. It is an unfortunate fact that this vision can be mistaken -- blinded by a particular ideaology or other firmly held belief that is neither based on reason, nor truly in the best interest of the country -- but those who hold such deeply flawed views can be at best a false patriot, and at worst a true danger to the real patriot, a person who is so blinded by their own perceived moral superiority that it is the obligation of the true patriot to reveal the true intentions of such person and work as hard as they can to ensure the security of the freedoms of the people against such scoundrels and charlatans.
The second, far more important aspect, is that patriotism is part of a relationship. The patriot only supports one's country as far as that country supports the patriot. When the government of the country does not meet the needs of the people, it is the responsibility, nay, the OBLIGATION of the patriot to work to correct that injustice. All potential avenues to right this injustice must be explored, and if it is found to be irreconcilable, the patriot has a duty to either out the current government by political means (voting in a new government), or by violent means (casting aside the shackles of the old regime by force to institute a new, more equitable government).
I'll throw in a few quotes, then leave this to the hounds for critique.
"A little rebellion now and then... is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government." -- Thomas Jefferson, rebel and politician
"Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilization. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation." -- Eugene V. Debs, labor activist and socialist
"No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots." -- Barbara Ehrenreich, author, activist, and Democratic Socialist
"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house. They may allow us temporarily to beat him at his own game, but they will never allow us to bring about genuine change." -- Audre Lorde, poet and political activist
To end with a question: How might we distinguish the true patriots from those who simply spread hatred, fear, and/or indifference in the name of patriotism?
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first i'd like to say that i don't think it is fair to say that all rebels are sincere, even if it is just a "bad apple" causing the destruction, the rebel must realize that if his true intentions are for the benefit of society that to insult his/herself by acting out isn't just a reflection on them, but the group they are representing.
ReplyDeletein the situation where the government in place has been set up to, or has changed over time in order to benefit from its injustice to others, where does your patriot stand? the government is making it clear that they are not supporting the patriot and thinking the patriot is too apathetic or not powerful enough to do something about it. if you act out, they will make a spectacle out of you and claim that you are in no position to know what is best for yourself or your country.
To the hounds indeed...
ReplyDeleteI think your argument rests upon a few extremely weak premises. The rebel does often have a vision for the country. I would not say that most of them are willing to do WHATEVER it takes to enact such a vision.
No, I do not think you illustrate that the truest manifestation of patriotism is in the rebel. That is an issue you need to devote more time to.
How do you determine what is in the best interest for the country? Perhaps your violent revolution is not in the best interest? So perhaps it is you Manak that are the false patriot and it is the obligation of us to make you aware that your preachings are at best mistaken, at worst dangerous to the rest of us...
"When the government of the country does not meet the needs of the people, it is the responsibility, nay, the OBLIGATION of the patriot to work to correct that injustice."
Yes, I agree entirely, but you speak of violence often enough not just as the last resort, but a preferable one. Illustrate to us that the rights we are being denied are grave enough to justify the use of force and violence.
Then, and only then, dear friend, will you have the right to further your incitant rhetoric.