A Nation's Discovery of Patriotism: What Is It?

MySpace Celebrity and Katalyst present The Presidential Pledge


What is patriotism? Have many of us experienced it? Do we know what it truly is? Especially those that are considered minorities in this country, was there ever a real feeling of the red, white, and blue? The dictionary definition of patriotism, is the 'love or devotion to one's country.' But have we ever been in love with or devoted to the United States of America? Maybe it was hard to be devoted to this nation throughout some of its choices. Often times, history seems marked more sternly by bruises and mistakes than by progress. Like a young child stung by its past experience and by pattern, perhaps the people of this nation needed a change in this pattern to finally honor such a word, really, such a service, than patriotism is.

Throughout my life the answer to the questions "Where are you from?" or "What is your background?" has always been a foreign country, often times a multitude of foreign countries. Being a 3rd generation American citizen on one side, and 2nd generation on the other side, I would fumble with the answer. I always wanted to say, "Hey, I'm American," but no one was ever satisfied with that response. Maybe now they will be. Sure, the US is a country that is defined by its diversity, but shouldn't that be a blessing or seen as a positive characteristic rather than a confusing factor in understanding our past? But, maybe, until now, a country that has fought to honor people of all backgrounds hadn't really started to achieve its goals. Maybe now, people of all colors and religions can feel love and devotion for this country. Maybe now we can realize that President-elect Obama is right in saying we all have to be a part of change. We all have to show our patriotism and display our love and devotion to this country, to this country where yeah, anything is possible. So let's all do our small part, let's all be proud of the part we already put forth. And maybe, the next time someone asks you what you are, maybe one of the first replies out of your mouth will proudly be, "I am American."

And how do we change the world you ask? In the words of the great Morgan Freeman, "One random act of kindness at a time."