Who are true American patriots? I think of Obama and Jon Stewart
Patriotism is not a term given only to military personnel, police officers, or people with “I love America” bumper stickers. Nor is patriotism the property of any particular political party or ideology.
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As a soldier’s wife, the word “patriot” is an integral part of my daily life. On a military base, we begin our days with reveille and end them with retreat. In between are the matching red, white and blue outfits, military drills and ceremonies, overseas deployments, and deserts adorned with American flags.
For us, patriotism means sacrificing our own ideas every day for the ideals of our nation.
But in recent times, hatred, segregation and bullying have transformed the patriot into someone who values political affiliation and partisan beliefs more than people.
No political party has claimed patriotism for itself
A patriot, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is someone who loves and supports their country. Patriotism is not a term given only to military personnel, police officers, or people with “I love America” bumper stickers. Nor is patriotism the property of any political party or ideology. Patriot is a term given to all who love and support their country and its citizens.
Over our country’s 248-year history, millions of soldiers have joined the American armed forces. Some enlisted because they loved our country and wanted to defend it; others because of the benefits of higher education and job security. In other cases, joining the military may have been the individual’s only way to become a productive member of society, and that’s OK, too.
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Who do I think of when I hear the phrase “American patriot”?
Civil rights activist Melanie L. Campbell, influential Native American politician Charlie Amaya Scott, retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, Barack and Michelle Obama, Admiral Rachel L. Levine and comedian Jon Stewart, to name a few.
They are the patriots who save lives, fight for equality and advocate for the needs of the socially disadvantaged.
But we don’t hear enough about them. Why? Because too often our country’s focus is not on the individuals who strengthen our communities. Our focus is on those who make noise.
By noise, I mean those who promote divisive ideals, manipulate or misinform our country’s citizens, pit Americans against one another, and foment violence in our communities. The noise drowns out those who fight for equality, propose solutions to our country’s biggest problems, and sacrifice themselves for the common good of all our fellow Americans.
Patriotism is about making sacrifices for others.
America’s true patriots are the men and women who sacrifice more than we can imagine for our rights, for the community, and for another person’s life.
Why is patriotism so important in our country? Our country can only survive through the strength of a community.
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Redefining patriotism is easy, but not effortless. We must all stand up for it and work for justice and equality. We must use our resources to support communities in need and stand against division.
Redefining patriotism means allowing reformed offenders to earn their place in society without limitations and to allow them to have the American dream they deserve. It means giving them a chance to build something from nothing, with a helping hand, not a handout. It means giving children who have nothing the support of a community that believes in them. It means bringing resources to impoverished neighborhoods and using them to educate, build and sustain something greater than they once had. It means speaking out against racism, injustice and hate in all forms.
So let’s redefine patriotism. How? By reaching out to underserved communities through volunteerism. By educating and empowering communities, which in turn will improve our country.
But before we can redefine patriotism, we must look within. We must be honest with ourselves and ask ourselves: Was our past patriotism an expression of love for all our fellow countrymen and our country, or did we withhold that love from those with different ideals, religions and abilities? Were we content with ourselves when we ignored the pleas of those less fortunate? From children growing out of foster care into homelessness to innocent protesters being gunned down for demanding equal rights, are we content with the state of uncertainty and chaos we live in?
Let us lead by example and demonstrate our true patriotism by accepting, teaching and exuding love, kindness and concern for our fellow citizens. This is our chance to build, redefine and reorient our families, our communities and our nation. Justice for all.
Marla Bautista is a military columnist for USA TODAY Opinion.
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