Do you feel patriotic? \ stacker news ~AskSN

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331 sats \ 13 comments \ @guerratotal 1 Jul AskSN

I've been reflecting a lot on the topic of patriotism lately. Perhaps because living outside my country makes one face that uncomfortable question more directly: do I really love my homeland? Do I feel patriotic?

I'm Cuban, and I'm proud of it. Proud of my people, of our history, of our music, of that unique blend of wit, resilience, and humor that we carry within us. But, honestly, I don't feel patriotic. I wouldn't fight for Cuba under the communist regime that governs it. I wouldn't lift a finger to defend that rotten structure that has only brought misery, control, and pain. I don't believe in that country as an institution, even though I love its essence and its people. Perhaps living and being born under a totalitarian regime kills the patriotism within people?

And now that I live in Brazil, I don't feel Brazilian either. I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to be here, to work, and to provide a future for my family. But patriotism doesn't just appear when you cross a border. I'm not moved by the flag, nor do I feel proud when the national team plays. I feel like a respectful guest, but not part of something that deeply represents me.

I realize there's a difference between loving your culture and being a patriot. You can love your country and at the same time refuse to defend the system that corrupts it. You can value your roots without wanting to die for a flag.

That's why I'd like to open a survey, a conversation: Do you feel patriotic? Do you love your country, its people, its culture? Are you proud of where you come from? Would you defend your nation no matter what, or does your love have limits when what it represents is corrupted?

I'm sure I'm not the only one experiencing this paradox.

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23 sats \ 1 reply \ @plebpoet 4 Jul

featured your story in the zine since I thought it was relevant to the theme of the week and a good set of thoughtful questions

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @guerratotal OP 4 Jul

Thank you very much, the debate was really good.

5 sats \ 1 reply \ @SimpleStacker 1 Jul

I don't feel very patriotic.

But I also get annoyed at people who seem to hate their own country, and who seem to hate capitalism and western civilization, which they've benefited so much from

30 sats \ 0 replies \ @guerratotal OP 1 Jul

I don't like this automatic disdain for everything we are either. It's one thing to criticize what's wrong, and another to disown everything that shaped you. I simply don't identify with the "State" that claims to represent me, but I deeply value my culture and the legacy of the civilization that sustains us, with its lights and shadows.

5 sats \ 0 replies \ @beejay 1 Jul

I love my country. I don't love governments of any of them. I think it's completely fine to love one's country and not the tyranny of it.

5 sats \ 3 replies \ @d680ecaa8e 1 Jul

When you leave your country after some days even if week is not ended, all these stories that you want to leave your country to get better opportunity of work will end soon and you wait for vacanties to return some days to your country, against what people were saying before leaving to find employee outside country.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @guerratotal OP 1 Jul

I don't quite understand the answer. Perhaps the translator is a bit confused. But I can guarantee you that if you ask a Cuban or a Venezuelan if they want to return to their country, I can guarantee you that 95% or more would not want to return.

Perhaps when you're born in a free country and not under a dictatorship, you don't fully understand the idea of migrating and how it feels to be a migrant.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @d680ecaa8e 1 Jul

When the country is under a dictatorship then the situation will change 360 degrees, I am talkinga bout when there is no dictatorship and free country which is not the case that there is dictatorship then what I am saying of want to return to country after find contract of work outside the country after a period will be totally wrong and excuse me for not labelling this point at my reply.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @guerratotal OP 1 Jul

I understand now, it is very different to go out for a job than to go out for a dictatorship.

5 sats \ 0 replies \ @86b4dc92cd 1 Jul freebie

I love my country, but I wouldn't defend it no matter what. I believe no country is worth dying for.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitcoingecko 3 Jul freebie

I am from the US. I don't agree with many things my government has done. At the same time, I don't hate where I'm from. I try to be neutral and unbiased as much as possible. Perhaps bitcoin is a way to remove toxic patriotism and come together as a global society. I hope so at least.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @cryotosensei 2 Jul

I used to teach at the lowest-progress secondary school in Singapore, which made me feel more patriotic because I felt that a lot of personnel and resources were available to help the weakest kids in the nation. As I wrote on my blog

I have become more patriotic

This may sound incredulous, given that reciting the pledge is a daily ritual we perform, but in my earlier years at NorthLight, I could feel goosebumps rising up my arms whenever I said “regardless of race, language, or religion.” I have taught at this institution for 11 years and don’t think I would have lasted so long if it weren’t for my steadfast belief that my country will do right by its most vulnerable children. I felt this strongly when a current student from my form class mentioned, “Because can fix lift, then go other countries in ite” (his exact words). As a travel enthusiast, I felt inspired by his words and confident that if he sets his mind to it, his dream will undoubtedly come true. I have hope – so much hope! - that these young men and women will not only be able to make a living but also craft a fulfilling life in the future.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @LibertasBR 2 Jul

Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, were all going to die.

You are your own purpose to exists, you and your family. Nations are physiological creations that make you feel like you belong to something that doesn't actually exist. The people you grew up with, the culture they shared, the teachings, the experiences, the environment, whether good or bad, that was real. Not the physical place and the identification paper that says everyone there belongs to the same "nation."