Breaking Down Borders: Why I Don’t Believe in Patriotism

Daily writing prompt

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

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In a world where lines on a map, governments, and money dictate so much of our lives, I find it increasingly difficult to subscribe to patriotism. As human beings, we are inherently connected by our shared humanity, and the idea of artificial separations through borders seems fundamentally flawed to me.

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As commonly understood, patriotism revolves around a deep love and loyalty towards one’s country. It often entails a sense of pride in one’s national identity, history, and achievements. However, I struggle to align myself with this sentiment because I believe that patriotism can inadvertently promote division and exclusion.

Borders are man-made constructs, drawn arbitrarily throughout history to delineate territories and assert sovereignty. Yet, these lines often perpetuate inequality, generate conflict, and restrict the movement of people seeking better opportunities, fleeing from adversity, or living together where they want. Borders create an “us versus them” mentality that fosters prejudice and xenophobia.

Furthermore, patriotism can sometimes lead to blind allegiance and acceptance of one’s country’s actions, regardless of their morality or consequences. It can stifle critical thinking and discourage questioning of policies or practices that may be harmful or unjust.

Instead of pledging allegiance to a particular nation, I believe in embracing our common humanity and working towards a world where borders, money, and control are less significant than our common growth, as human beings. Imagine a world where we prioritize cooperation over competition, empathy over nationalism, and unity over division.

This doesn’t mean disregarding cultural diversity or erasing national identities. On the contrary, it means celebrating our differences while recognizing that we are all part of the same global community. It means advocating for justice, equality, and human rights for all, regardless of nationality.

In a world where crises like climate change, pandemics, and poverty transcend borders, it’s more crucial than ever to foster solidarity and collaboration on a global scale. I would definitely recommend shifting our focus from narrow nationalism to inclusive humanism and striving to build a better, more compassionate, and more equal world where everyone can thrive, irrespective of where they were born, how much money they have, or the colour of their passport – not to say of their skin.

So, while I may not wave flags or sing anthems, my allegiance lies with humanity as a whole. I believe that our common bonds are stronger than the artificial divisions that separate us, and it’s through unity and understanding, that we can truly make the world a better place for all.