Are Americans too patriotic?

[Lovelife090994]

Are Americans too patriotic? In this country it's our flag and no one else's sometimes; and we deify our flag. Is America too patriotic? We push for assimilation and to be American above other cultures and to abandon our ways when we join America. Is there a reason for patriotism? I love my country but it is not a god to me.

[cami]

Looking at it from the outside, they look like they really are, so short answer is yes. I've never been a fan of patriotism btw.

[Stronk Serb]

This happens when you mix love for homeland with religious zeal. You get a completely tainted product. I wouldn't call it patriotism, I'd call it extreme chauvinism, glorifying your nation above all, while in reality it's not exactly like that. We have the same problem, and what happened is these extreme chauvinists damned our country into barbarism. They simply cannot see beyond their dogmas, doing more damage to the country and homeland they adore so much.

[dirtyboxer55]

Are Americans too patriotic? In this country it's our flag and no one else's sometimes;

yeah lets just throw up the flag of madagascar every veteran's day lmao this guy

[thatcountrykid]

There's no such thing as too much devotion. I may not be too happy with the politicians but I love my country. I love the people, I love the land itself, and I love the American I deals. I would lay down my life for this place and will fight for it whenever asked.

There's noth wrong with others loving your background but we are all Americans first here.

[Lovelife090994]

yeah lets just throw up the flag of madagascar every veteran's day lmao this guy

There's no such thing as too much devotion. I may not be too happy with the politicians but I love my country. I love the people, I love the land itself, and I love the American I deals. I would lay down my life for this place and will fight for it whenever asked.

There's noth wrong with others loving your background but we are all Americans first here.

America is of every race and technically I'm the one who is American first being Black and Native American. My family was here before the Constitution was written so don't give me that "we're Americans first" crap. You do realize you can be a patriot without being a bigot right?

[Jackrabbit7]

1) Okay here In NYC on every single private flagpole I see there are 2 flags, good old USA and whatever nation that family comes from
2) If anything the push today it not to assimilate and to hold onto your old culture ~ I experience this every day in a NYC public school -> If you know your US history there have been much more patriotic times than right now and immigrants were really hated on in the past, un like today. (->this could be argued against I know)
3) If you don’t want to accept U.S. culture why move and live here. I feel like people have this idea of having their cake and eating it too where they leave there home country for whatever reason and come to live here thinking that they can live like they lived back in there country, IF YOU MOVE HERE BECOME AN AMERICAN ~ THIS IS YOUR HOMELAND NOW so i agree with Daniel on that one, you are an american before your Italian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, ect

I think that most urban Americans thing that Americas too patriotic and most rural Americans think that were not patriotic enough. I feel like people think they’re too cool or to advanced or too knowledgeable to be patriotic and look down upon people who are. I think that people hate on America WAY TOO MUCH for doing things that other counties have been doing for ever. And what’s wrong with a little patriotism

I think that patriotism is very important because it holds society together and helps us work towards something better. During war/ times of national crisis production and efficiency increase growing the economy, the rate of social reform increases drastically. (ex the role of women increase in society after every major war in U.S history, during WW1 many progressive movements were sped up)

As an American I feel very proud to live in a country that played a very active role in making the world what it is today. We were a country founded on principles created by great European thinkers and have always had a very different spirit and philosophy in the way we do things. I really love US history b/c its so different/ original when compared to others. We had the 1st large scale democracy, we didn't kill political rivals during our revolution, The Federalists allowed the DemocraticRepublicans to take power without a fight ((WHAT) people not fighting over power in the 1700s), settlers picking up again and again, moving farther and farther west.

I do value other nations contributions to the world and respect them for that, and I would never say or act like the U.S is the best country ever without any flaws. But i do secretly believe that america is better than other country for all the reasons listed above. But I Irrationally love America b/c of why and how it was built and what we stand for, even if political leaders and or groups of people have that idea twisted (in this case hate the player not the game).

[Babs]

Being patriotic isn't a bad thing to an extent. I'm lucky to live in a place as nice as I do, but sometimes being super patriotic leads to complacency with America's faults.

[Lovelife090994]

1) Okay here In NYC on every single private flagpole I see there are 2 flags, good old USA and whatever nation that family comes from
2) If anything the push today it not to assimilate and to hold onto your old culture ~ I experience this every day in a NYC public school -> If you know your US history there have been much more patriotic times than right now and immigrants were really hated on in the past, un like today. (->this could be argued against I know)
3) If you don’t want to accept U.S. culture why move and live here. I feel like people have this idea of having their cake and eating it too where they leave there home country for whatever reason and come to live here thinking that they can live like they lived back in there country, IF YOU MOVE HERE BECOME AN AMERICAN ~ THIS IS YOUR HOMELAND NOW so i agree with Daniel on that one, you are an american before your Italian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, ect

I think that most urban Americans thing that Americas too patriotic and most rural Americans think that were not patriotic enough. I feel like people think they’re too cool or to advanced or too knowledgeable to be patriotic and look down upon people who are. I think that people hate on America WAY TOO MUCH for doing things that other counties have been doing for ever. And what’s wrong with a little patriotism

I think that patriotism is very important because it holds society together and helps us work towards something better. During war/ times of national crisis production and efficiency increase growing the economy, the rate of social reform increases drastically. (ex the role of women increase in society after every major war in U.S history, during WW1 many progressive movements were sped up)

As an American I feel very proud to live in a country that played a very active role in making the world what it is today. We were a country founded on principles created by great European thinkers and have always had a very different spirit and philosophy in the way we do things. I really love US history b/c its so different/ original when compared to others. We had the 1st large scale democracy, we didn't kill political rivals during our revolution, The Federalists allowed the DemocraticRepublicans to take power without a fight ((WHAT) people not fighting over power in the 1700s), settlers picking up again and again, moving farther and farther west.

I do value other nations contributions to the world and respect them for that, and I would never say or act like the U.S is the best country ever without any flaws. But i do secretly believe that america is better than other country for all the reasons listed above. But I Irrationally love America b/c of why and how it was built and what we stand for, even if political leaders and or groups of people have that idea twisted (in this case hate the player not the game).

Just because you come to America does not mean your heritage is second. You do not say "I'm American now" and ignore your heritage. America is melting pot where you can live with freedoms and be able to love the country but still practice your customs.

[JamesSuperBoy]

Are Americans too patriotic? In this country it's our flag and no one else's sometimes; and we deify our flag. Is America too patriotic? We push for assimilation and to be American above other cultures and to abandon our ways when we join America. Is there a reason for patriotism? I love my country but it is not a god to me.

I would say yes there is a reason for patriotism - a sense of belonging to a sense of heritage even if say for immigrants even after several generations they may feel and America is their home now.

[thatcountrykid]

America is of every race and technically I'm the one who is American first being Black and Native American. My family was here before the Constitution was written so don't give me that "we're Americans first" crap. You do realize you can be a patriot without being a bigot right?

Jesus fuck that's not even what Im saying. Calm down and read my post.

I'm saying when people say they are African American or Mexican American or whatever it creates a division. If we live here we are all Americans before we are anything else. We shouldn't seperste ourselves from each other ehen we are all under on goal.

[Stronk Serb]

There's no such thing as too much devotion. I may not be too happy with the politicians but I love my country. I love the people, I love the land itself, and I love the American I deals. I would lay down my life for this place and will fight for it whenever asked.

There's noth wrong with others loving your background but we are all Americans first here.

I agree, but when that devotion is manifested in the wrong way... We have problems with chauvinists who end up doing our country more harm than good and they claim they love their country. I dislike them generally because they make the normal nationalist like me look like a fricking Nazi, just mention you are a nationalist amd people will harass you. No I'm not one of those fake nationalists. I agree with the 'if we all live in America, we are American, there is no need for further division, no matter if we are of European, African or Asian descent'.

[Vlerchan]

The question refers to too broad a group.

Some groups of Americans are more or less fanatical and some are the exact opposite.

---

If you don’t want to accept U.S. culture why move and live here[?]
Various economic reasons.

[tasminsmith]

britan is pretty patriotic apart from the thousands of eastern Europeans who aren't even british like wtaf get out the country im not rascist but this is britan not Poland so fuck off please

[Vlerchan]

britan is pretty patriotic apart from the thousands of eastern Europeans who aren't even british like wtaf get out the country im not rascist but this is britan not Poland so fuck off please
This is a site for teens, Mr Farage.

[tasminsmith]

This is a site for teens, Mr Farage.

ukip all the way m8 "we can trade with the world again when nigel is in n.10"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7QYJ7pVhUo

[Babs]

britan is pretty patriotic apart from the thousands of eastern Europeans who aren't even british like wtaf get out the country im not rascist but this is britan not Poland so fuck off please

If you have to clarify that you're not racist, you might be saying something borderline racist.

[tasminsmith]

If you have to clarify that you're not racist, you might be saying something borderline racist.

depends on the person reading it they could take it the wrong way

[Babs]

depends on the person reading it they could take it the wrong way

Saying someone isn't welcome in your country based on their ethnicity is kinda racist.
A+ advice here, if it is something you have to clarify is not shitty, it might not be something you wanna say.

[tasminsmith]

Saying someone isn't welcome in your country based on their ethnicity is kinda racist.
A+ advice here, if it is something you have to clarify is not shitty, it might not be something you wanna say.
not racist, I have nothing against eastern Europeans there great just not in britain

[Babs]

not racist, I have nothing against eastern Europeans there great just not in britain

I'm not calling you a racist.
I think that's a contradictive way of thinking.

[tasminsmith]

how exactly?

[Babs]

how exactly?

Because you say that you have nothing against them directly after saying "fuck off" because "this is Britain not Poland."

Either way, this conversation isn't what the thread is for.

[IconoclasticHeretic]

Considering America doesn't exist, yeah.

[thatcountrykid]

Considering America doesn't exist, yeah.

Mind explaining

[dirtyboxer55]

America is of every race and technically I'm the one who is American first being Black and Native American. My family was here before the Constitution was written so don't give me that "we're Americans first" crap. You do realize you can be a patriot without being a bigot right?

this has nothing to do with what i said? not sure why you quoted me in this

[Plane And Simple]

Let's try and stay on topic ladies and gents :)

[IconoclasticHeretic]

Mind explaining

Lines on maps, dog. Fences and oceans separating me from other humans.

[Thunderstorm]

Considering we have freedom of speech here and it IS AMERICA, no, it's fine. Are the Chinese too proud of their advances? The Japanese? The British? This is just a stupid question. It's totally alright for people take pride in where they come from.

[Jackrabbit7]

Just because you come to America does not mean your heritage is second. You do not say "I'm American now" and ignore your heritage. America is melting pot where you can live with freedoms and be able to love the country but still practice your customs.

At first I thought "that not what im saying" but no, I believe that if you come to America you are an American 1st, you don't say well if things get better back in my country I'll move back or ill go serve in my home countries army, you come, you stay, you make this your country. You shouldn't say that China/India/Germany/D.R./Mexico/Ecuador/Poland is my home country, America is that now, you chose to move here, BE AN AMERICAN! WORK TO MAKE THIS A BETTER COUNTRY

I also feel like we have a different understanding of what what assimilating is, I just don't think that you should live in this country or any country for that matter without leaning the language or adopting some of its cultures. I know people who can barely speak English because they don't have too. They live there lives like they were back in their country and look down at me for my american life style. They don't vote, or take an active role in the local community, or do anything to help make the country a better place I think that's wrong. But I have good friends that come from all over the world because my schools so diverse. They all practice their customs, have all their religious head wear, have their arranged marriages, worship all kinds of religions, celebrate all types of Holidays and I think that's really cool.

I have learned so much about the world and other people through them, but a lot of them don't celebrate american holidays (ie thanks giving) and don't have that american philosophy of I can do better than what im living in now and I can do better for my kids or whatever your american dream is. Some of them look at me like im nuts because I have all these crazy ideas of moving out of the city and living in a big house, eating dinner together as a family, watching the Superbowl, shooting off fireworks on the 4th of July, my american flag phone case. Some of them are all like "why are you doing this" in a little bit of a condescending manner, and some of them just don't care at all.

I think that a lot of Americans are willing to take on other cultures (because I have) but immigrants are not willing to take on american culture. But then again I'm talking about 0 generation Americans (ie my grandparents on moms side), they dont want to have anything to do with the U.S. But my mom (1st generation) hatted the Filipino mentality and deiced that she was not going to raise her kids like she was b/c she felt like she was missing out. She assimilated into america, if you met her, you would think she was brought up in an american household, she wasn't. But I think today theres no pressure to assimilate so 1st generation Americans (ie my friends) don't feel the need to change or adapt to american culture when they can just keep doing what they've always done and end up raising there kids in the same way.



not racist, I have nothing against eastern Europeans there great just not in britain

I agree, in the 80's would the common Russian citizen have assimilated well into American culture? NO (lol because my world revolves around U.S.A) People have different cultures/believes/family and moral values, and if they don't mix, why is it wrong to say You live over there your way and Ill live over here my way, and we're all happy?


And can we define racism here: the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races.

^that is not what anyone has said on this form

I agree with Jake, this is a stupid question
100th post :D finally

[Vlerchan]

Considering we have freedom of speech here and it IS AMERICA, no, it's fine.
I don't think these things have a bearing on the debate at all.

There might be basis to engage in the behaviour. But whether engaging in the behaviour is positive or negative is another issue.

[SethfromMI]

I think there are plenty of other countries who are just as proud or patriotic about their own countries, these days maybe even more so

edit: Thunderstorm said it well

[phuckphace]

sup guys, just thought I'd drop by with these handy rankings

4th of July tier:
patriotism - America, fuck yeah! I'm glad I live here!

annoying tier:
chauvinism - America's the best, fuck all the rest!

god tier:
nationalism - you've got yours and I've got mine (sieg heil)

[Hyper]

1) Okay here In NYC on every single private flagpole I see there are 2 flags, good old USA and whatever nation that family comes from
2) If anything the push today it not to assimilate and to hold onto your old culture ~ I experience this every day in a NYC public school -> If you know your US history there have been much more patriotic times than right now and immigrants were really hated on in the past, un like today. (->this could be argued against I know)
3) If you don’t want to accept U.S. culture why move and live here. I feel like people have this idea of having their cake and eating it too where they leave there home country for whatever reason and come to live here thinking that they can live like they lived back in there country, IF YOU MOVE HERE BECOME AN AMERICAN ~ THIS IS YOUR HOMELAND NOW so i agree with Daniel on that one, you are an american before your Italian, Chinese, Indian, Greek, ect


What does it even mean to be American or American Culture?

Your country was founded by immigrants from Europe then assimilated immigrants from all over the world... What is this uniquely American Culture or heritage? Are you saying everyone should be a native American?

Or is this simply a question of identification as a citizen of the United States

[IconoclasticHeretic]

What does it even mean to be American or American Culture?

Your country was founded by immigrants from Europe then assimilated immigrants from all over the world... What is this uniquely American Culture or heritage? Are you saying everyone should be a native American?

Or is this simply a question of identification as a citizen of the United States

Fucking this. ^^^

[Danny_boi 16]

There is a difference between patriotism and blind loyalty. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin talks about this in her si-fi epic. There are some Americans that or over nationalistic, but that's okay. It's not the best thing a person can do, but it's fine. Every nation has its hardliners. As for the assimilation of values ans culture, every country pushes for that. Just not every country is strong enough to profess it to the extent that America does. That's why there are Empires, both now and the past. The only difference we have now, is that the "American Empire" is really one built on diplomatic ties and ideology. Americans as a whole are on par with every other country when it comes to national pride.

[Trumpetplayer]

Patriotism, in any society, is practically saying "screw you" to other countries. Am I proud to be from a free country? Yes. Am I proud to be from the United States? I'm not so sure. What makes us different from other societies? What separates the first world countries from the third world countries? Are we to say we're better than a country who can't afford clean drinking water and remote groceries?

[Jackrabbit7]

What does it even mean to be American or American Culture?

Your country was founded by immigrants from Europe then assimilated immigrants from all over the world... What is this uniquely American Culture or heritage? Are you saying everyone should be a native American?

Or is this simply a question of identification as a citizen of the United States

I would define american culture as our holidays, music, clothing, food, values, and willingness to try new things, to be open minded to some extent. I think when someone accepts or take on american culture they blend their culture and traditions (ie holidays, food, clothing, music) with the already blended american culture.

If anything what im trying to say that people should be open to try new things and changing their life styles to some degree to better join existing communities. American culture is so divers, what we do here in NYC is so different from how they do things in the south, Midwest, west cost... Because that's what U.S culture is, diversity, picking and choosing other peaces of other cultures to add to your own. The willingness to go eat at that new restaurant, try that new style of cloths, letting your kids go hand out on a Friday night instead of forcing them to take care of their grandparents, things like that. I mean hamburgers come from the Germans, french fry's were brought back from Belgium (or around that area), foods that are identified as American have origins from all over the world.

I know that our country was founded by immigrants, that what make us so great. Our 8th president was the first to be born an american citizen. During the late 1700 to early 1800's immigrants settled the edges of the country. It keeps us young, basically all industrialization occurred when we experienced an influx of immigration. That why we have been so open minded, that's why this country's great, and that why it has been so easy for people to come here and integrate into america, because our nation wasn't built by/on only 1 ethnicity.

I feel like People connect the country the live in to their ethnicity and to me that's an old way of thinking. I call my self an american because I live here and love it, not because my ethnicity is american b/c that's just stupid, both my parents come for immigrant families. We are here a short time compared to other families, the earliest we can trace our roots to on my dad's side is 1860. During the revolution/civil war/manifest destiny my ancestors were working on farms across Europe and the Philippines, they didn't build this country. Really I'm like a mutt that someone took in. I love that I'm apart of the U.S.A. now, and I'm proud to be apart of what this country is, how it was created, why it was created, and what past Americans did with it to get us were we are today. -> So i guess this is really why im patriotic.