The Star-spangled Banner and Patriotism

Patriotism According to Merriam Webster, Patriotism is defined as ”devotion or love for one’s country.” I believe that the more people that love their country, the more people hate every one who is not of their country. In other words, they tend to become close-minded toward other cultures. A good example of this is the tragic incident on September 11; it triggered patriotism worldwide. There was not only Americans coming out of the shadows to lend a helping hand, but other nations showing support. However, the word patriotism strikes lots of mixed emotions all over the United States. Some people describe themselves as "involved" patriots because they display their American flag outside in their yards. Patriotism to me, along with many others, means to have love for our homeland, to support, serve and defend and to care deeply for fellow Americans. After September 11th, a lot of people showed their love for this country by doing things like standing in line to donate blood, registering with the army, or even as little as wearing the American colors. Patriots must support the countries authorities and laws. However, this does not mean that Americans should agree with whatever the President of the United States has to say and be mislead by what’s really going on in America. New posters in store windows along with billboards posted along the roads encourage the American people to show their love for their country. I believe that true patriotism doesn’t have to be encouraged but is something that we feel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year long. Patriotism is to be proud of where you are from and to love everyone around you whether they are indigenous of that country or not. Patriotism is not to have beef for anyone that’s foreign, or to think your country is better or strong than others for no reason. Different people have different reasons why they are patriotic and how they choose to be so. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to be a patriot.