Patriotism can be a slippery slope

You’ve probably seen it on Facebook, in letters to the editor, or in other media — even in neighborhood discussions.

Comments like, "He's not patriotic because he isn’t wearing a flag pin on his lapel." Or people incessantly posting "support our troops" messages as if to shame the rest of us into sharing the same or providing our own public display of gratitude (yes, we are grateful, but let each of us express that in our own way). Somehow, even supporting our police has morphed into a sort of patriotism, as if government employees doing a tough job for which they are well compensated and trained are defending most of America’s neighborhoods like soldiers in Afghanistan.

There’s nothing wrong with a patriotic gesture, opinion or symbol. It's just that when such activities become an obsession and imply an expectation for all to follow suit to prove our patriotism, that an ominous line is crossed.

No individual or political party can or should claim the mantle of patriotism. After all, a vast majority of Americans have historically described themselves as "extremely" or "very" patriotic/proud of their country. How each chooses to exhibit that devotion — or not — is up to the individual.

Patriotism is defined by Webster’s as, “Love for or devotion to one's country.” That’s it. It’s an emotion; an internal sensation of pride in one’s homeland. Waving a flag or marching for a cause are both overt expressions of patriotism, but they are not patriotism itself. And, they don’t prove that those involved in such activities are somehow more patriotic than someone not participating in those activities but nonetheless deeply proud of his or her country.

There is an additional aspect of patriotism that is more nuanced and critically important: Being patriotic does not mean one views his or her homeland as superior to others, nor does it assume one’s country is always right. I would argue that true patriotism demands constant vigilance over the actions and morality of one’s homeland to assure the basis for one’s continued devotion — in America’s case, constantly seeking "a more perfect union."

Here is where the concepts of "patriotism" and "nationalism" diverge. Nationalism is patriotism on steroids — a love for one’s homeland that includes a belief in its superiority as well as a blind loyalty to it regardless of its actions. This is the sort of slippery-slope phenomenon that led in part to the horrors associated with Nazi Germany.

Is there much to take pride in as an American? Absolutely! Are we an exceptional country? By many measures, from military prowess and technological ingenuity to our culture of inclusiveness and our cherished, timeless founding documents, a resounding "yes." But that pride falls thankfully short of blind arrogance and attitudes of superiority.

So, as we watch the changing of the political guard in the nation’s capital and related changes in America’s actions and attitude here and abroad, it’s a critical time for all Americans to keep a watchful eye on what transpires and how we express ourselves individually and collectively as American patriots.

We have an obligation to ourselves and the rest of the world to get it right.

Stephen B. Cook, a graduate of Haverford College and University of Virginia’s Darden Business School MBA Program, is currently retired president/principal of Thoughtfire Communications. Prior to that, he was a director at Kimberly-Clark Corp.