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SHARING IN AN INSANE WORLD – Marilyn Armstrong

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Share Your World 5-27-2020

Questions:

In your opinion, does patriotism require the belief that one’s country is the greatest on earth?

Manchaug dam on the Blackstone

I know people who live in a lot of other countries and they love their country. Not only do they know their country isn’t the biggest, greatest, richest, or most powerful, they love it because it’s home.

Why is patriotism considered by some to be the highest of virtues? What is so important about love of country? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about humankind, or the planet as a whole, rather than a single country?

I never understood it, frankly. The only country other than the U.S. that tends to get wildly patriotic is Great Britain. Maybe that’s our “inheritance.” I understand loving your country. But proud? Why should you be proud because your mother happened to get pregnant and gave birth in this particular country.  If you’d be born somewhere else, you wouldn’t love your country because your mother was in the wrong place? Huh?

The world

Of course we should care for humankind more than “things” and power and money, but we aren’t. There’s something terribly wrong with us, and it seems to be getting worse.

Too weird for me.

What is the relationship between decisions and consequences?

There ought to be a direct relationship but apparently, I’m just living in another universe.

What is social justice?

Not whatever it is we’ve got. But that’s because we started out supporting slavery. It was our original sin and most of our problems come directly from that.

What’s one body part you wouldn’t mind losing? (told you.  Silly).

It turns out I’m doing pretty well without boobs and two heart valves. And a few teeth. I would rather not lose anything else. I think I’m already on thin ice.

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Categories: #Photography, justice, Marilyn Armstrong, Share My World

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19 replies

  1. blazeofobscurity
    05/27/2020 • 21:27

    I feel that Patriotism becomes problematic because all too often it forces a binary of us and them. Being proud of your country is admirable…except every person in every country can find something to be proud of in their nation. So it ends up becoming competitive and instead of simply saying “I’m proud of how my country does x” it becomes ‘MY country does x, and your country doesn’t. Or they do it worse than we do it. So we are superior.”

    I think patriotism is an awful thing in its practice because it’s all so arbitrary. We are citizens of the world, first and foremost. Any cursory but open minded look at history will reveal the tenuous borders and how they’ve shifted. I’m proud to be part of a species that can love, create art and music, show empathy and kindness to strangers. That’s worth more than the way land was gathered into bundles for law and taxation purposes.

    Patriots want to express pride? Maybe. But be proud of your humanity, not your nationality.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Melanie B Cee
    05/27/2020 • 15:52

    Thanks Marilyn for Sharing Your World and your wise perspectives on things. As to the body part question – I think you’ve already done your bit. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. slmret
    05/27/2020 • 13:58

    I grew up believing that patriotism was a love of country — my mother was a naturalized American, but I don’t think she ever developed the love of country that we learned, perhaps in school. More recently, though, patriotism seems to have become attached to evangelicals and the divisive nature of the country — one is politically patriotic or not — this has been very confusing to me, as I have not lost the love of country, but I cannot consider myself patriotic in the current usage of the word.!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      05/27/2020 • 16:20

      We seem to think that you have to constantly “prove” your patriotism. Why? And for that matter, why DO you have to love your country? What if you don’t like it? Right now, I don’t like this country very much. I like what I thought it stood for, but not want it actually stands for. Is there’s a law or constitutional amendment about “love your country or leave it,” nobody told ME about it.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. claudiajustsaying
    05/27/2020 • 11:42

    You raise several interesting questions. I believe I’m patriotic, and have strong opinions. But other other than voting. . .can’t say I contribute in other ways. I do fly the American Flag by our door. . . just saying, Claudia

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Sadje
    05/27/2020 • 10:28

    Very well said Marilyn, about patriotism.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marilyn Armstrong
      05/27/2020 • 13:25

      It’s something I’ve thought about a lot. I was born here because my mother lived here. But I could have been born somewhere else had her family not come here as immigrants. I’m sure I’d love the country I was born in wherever it is/was. The line “I’m proud to be an American” always hits me the wrong way. I can say I love being an American, though not so much right now, but proud? Why should I be proud that I was born here? Pride is something based on accomplishment. Being born in this place rather than some other place is no reason to be proud. Accomplish something. THEN be proud — even though it is THE original sin.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. swo8
    05/27/2020 • 10:18

    To my surprise most people love their native land.
    Leslie

    Liked by 1 person

  7. K.L. Hale
    05/27/2020 • 09:09

    I’m in agreement 💯 I’m proud of our country and my two sons serving in the Air Force. But never do I place the love of my home above the globe. I’ve been a partner to some who like ego trips. And sadly, our country is ran by huge ego. I’ll never understand why “nice” just doesn’t seem to be a trait that spreads as fate as hate. I guess that’s just the humans in us. Sounds like you’re a survivor. I’ve lost some memory and some I’m glad I’ve lost. So far most things still attached. But boy are they aggravated from wrecks. Thanks for this thoughtful post.

    Liked by 1 person