Proud to be an American?

[badstar]

Someone just brought up the question on a forum that I frequent. Asked "Are you proud to be an American?"

My answer? No, not particularly...but not particularly not.

Before the flames get lit....

I don't see the the place where I happen to have popped into the world as a point of pride (or lack thereof). Sheer dumb luck is all that was. Sheer dumb luck might just as easily have placed me in Somalia or the rural Dakotas...or as the child of a royal family somewhere.

I also don't see my genetics as a point of pride (or lack thereof). So I've never understood the point of people making a big deal over *insert ethnic group of your choice* pride.

Therefore, extreme patrotism and excessive flag waving kinda baffles me. Am I thankful for where I am and what's available to me? Sure...but that's not the same thing.

Comments

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

For me, of course, where I popped up in the world is only mildly relevant to the fact that I'm American.

Despite it having been a rather sucky place to be born, I am rather pleased with it, in no small part because I am not there anymore, and it gives me an experience and a perspective I rather like having. Pride, though, is missing nearly altogether, although I must say, there is something that makes me glad to have a connection with the culture, the language, the humor and other similar things, in which I think my birthplace does well. I don't know if it's pride as much as a joy of participation and understanding.

I don't have, exactly, pride in being American - I have gratitude, since the US rather did us a favor by letting us in. But being born where I was has taught me to distrust patriotism on general principles.

That said, I actually do seem to have a complex bundle-of-ethnic-whatsit about being Jewish, which does, in fact, include pride, in that it pleases me to hear when "one of us" (or "us" as a large nebulous group) did something pride-worthy, and makes me pleased to belong to the same tribe.

[wasabi-poptart.livejournal.com]

used to be. not so much these days.

I'm not ashamed of my country so much as embarrassed by my fellowcountrymen.

...where at least I know I'm free.

[fervid-dryfire.livejournal.com]

I think the most important thing to keep in mind regarding "pride in your country" or "patriotism" is how others, both within the same country and elsewhere, perceive you.

For example- you're still in the US, so the fact that you haven't permanently relocated somewhere else indicates that you are at least- as you said- thankful to be here. Going beyond that baseline, and outright saying how you feel one way or the other, is what would show your level of pride/patriotism.

Of course there are different points of view on that no matter where you live. Some people don't consider you a patriot if you don't recite the pledge (regardless of whether or not "under God" is in it), remove your hat during the playing of the national anthem (civilian men only), etc.

...um, I won't go into the differences in patriotism vs. questioning the .gov, though. I don't want a comment to grow into a monster on those grounds. =(

Re: ...where at least I know I'm free.

[fuego.livejournal.com]

For example- you're still in the US, so the fact that you haven't permanently relocated somewhere else indicates that you are at least- as you said- thankful to be here

I don't think that my staying here is a solid indicator of one being thankful to be here. I mean, I am...but I've no doubt that there are many people who are not thankful to be here but have not permanently gone elsewhere for a myriad of reasons.

Separate post about the pledge thing forthcoming.

[mydruid.livejournal.com]

I was raised to believe "my country right or wrong, my country". I fervently believed that most of my life. I now question blind acceptance of anything. I believe in my country, I disagree with where it is going (in many ways), I disagree with most of it's policies and it's leaders. Am I proud to be an American? That's a very hard question for me to answer. My first inclination is to say YES....but I can't in all conscience to do anymore, and that is very painful for me. All of the men in my family, have served their country, as have many other's families. I am a child of the 60"s at first I was in favor of war, then as I grew up I realized that aggression is not the answer. So I guess my answer would have to be, while I am proud of most Americans, I am not proud of America at this time. Does this make any sense? Maybe

[chironcentaur.livejournal.com]

I agree. Its a place to live. Better than most to be sure, far from perfect.