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Snyder cites several examples of Trump’s unpatriotic behavior. Do you agree or disagree with these criticisms? Explain. According to the author, what are the main differences between patriotism and nationalism? Give several examples of American patriotism that you have observed or read about. What are patriotic actions you can take?
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I agree with Snyder’s laundry list of unpatriotic behavior from trump. I don’t know if I really have to explain, given his 2nd term is amplifying and reinforcing all of these behaviours.
I think Snyder encapsulates the differences between patriotism and nationalism as primarily being that nationalism encourages us to be our worst selves. It appeals to our basest nature and to be fearful and cruel. I thought the Orwell quote was powerful – A nationalist, “although endlessly brooding on power, victory, defeat, revenge” tends to be “uninterested in what happens in the real world.” Patriots, on the other hand have ethics and values and adhere to them. Patriots are willing to sacrifice for others. They serve the people. Nationalists are the opposite and want the people to serve them and demand others sacrifice on their behalf.
That makes a lot of sense in what I’m seeing right now. That’s clear in the policies of the current government that are violating individual rights, gutting government agencies, and funnelling monies into their own pockets. Making life more painful and difficult for everyday people is not on their mind. I don’t think the repercussions of these shock actions are going to be felt all at once, but I’d liken it to a rising river that will eventually flood. I just hope I’m wrong.
I think one of the recent examples of an American patriot is 10-year-old Emmie Wilkins from Chattanooga. This week she protested in front of the state house hearing to protest a bill blocking undocumented kids from school. She said every kid deserves an education no matter where they come from. She said: “I was thinking every kid deserves to go to school – Senator Bo Watson: imagine being told you can’t see your friends anymore.”
(source: https://www.local3news.com/local-news/stop-attacking-my-friends-10-year-old-chattanooga-girl-protests-tennessee-house-education-committee-meeting/article_f643639b-4d53-4a76-81be-e6648b77fc50.html)I’ll defer to my American friends for more examples of American patriotism but I’ll point out one that I just read of a Canadian patriot. World-renowned Canadian heart surgeon Dr. Marc Ruel was set to take a prestigious leadership role at top U.S. hospital UC San Francisco but he just turned it down because of tRump’s annexation rhetoric.
“When I looked at this opportunity in the U.S., there were a few things that were very important to me. One was to work for a public school of medicine or public faculty of medicine who cares and emulates and embodies the same kind of inclusivity principles that are dear to all Canadians,” said Dr. Ruel. “And UCSF is exactly that, the top school of medicine, the top research-intensive, and funded, probably in the world. I also felt it’s a good representation of Canadian healthcare institutions, of our healthcare system, and our education system. In a way I was a little bit of an export that Canada could offer to a more global platform.”
But he changed his mind in the recent months. “The tipping point was really the notion of annexation, that Canada is not an independent country, especially two countries that have been the closest sister and brother of countries for more than 200 years. That discourse was very troubling to me, and I felt as a proud Canadian in my patriotic conscience I could not partake in that.”
“My mandate, I felt, was something different and we had to rally, embrace together, and elbows up as we love to say,” added Dr. Ruel. “Like all of us Canadian, I felt compelled by that in my own way and wanted to do all I could towards that.” (source: https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/acclaimed-heart-surgeon-dr-marc-ruel-chooses-canada-over-us-amid-political-uncertainty/)
I like his phrase “patriotic conscience” as it sums up what I think Snyder is trying to emphasize in this lesson. As for what work I can do, I can help friends, family, and the people I meet take positive actions that align with our universal values, and select politicians who (hopefully) emphasize and stand for these values too.
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Tara, I regret to tell you that you are not wrong about the current U.S.administration and its clear intent to make life more difficult and painful.
Snyder captures the current administration accurately and honestly. It is the cruelty that is the point. While individual members of Congress may manage to exempt some of their constituents, the devastation and cruelty in intentional and they can only go so far to protect the folks who voted for them and expect them to protect their basic interests.
Ideology, specifically “nationalism,” is paramount and all other interests, individual and human rights, economic security, fairness etc. are subservient to ideology and to the interests of those in power and those with money.
A patriot votes, shows up at protests, calls/write Congressional representatives, contributes to the organization or candidates who represent democracy, writes editorials or…. By whatever means possible, the patriot calls us to lives in the real world and calls us to be our best selves.
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