decot@cwruecmp.UUCP (Dave Decot) (12/12/83)
The following indented material is from Genji.
Here, for reference, is a portion of the letter which some folks
found objectionable; first is part of the quote from the original
letter about the Star Spangled Banner, then my comments:
<< ... United States' National Anthem. ... I automatically rose
<< to my feet upon hearing ... A warm feeling rushed through my
<< body ... intensely invigorating ... Patriotism, pride, and
<< fellowship were definately components of what I was feeling. I
<< was proud of my country and of the audience. I do not know
<< why.
Spoken like a true patriot! Maybe you'll go off to war on the same
unknowing emotional high. --Genji
Now answers to critics:
"If I am not for myself, who can be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?" --Hillel
The problem with patriotism is not the love of one's own country, but
the exclusion of others. The dictionary definition may say nothing
about exclusion but patriotism in practice does just that. And usually
patriotism in practice also excludes significant portions of one's own
country people from love. It's negative aspect is most visible, an
ideological force against internal and external enemies.
Patriotism could be considered virtue in the era of Thomas Paine and
Benjamin Franklin, but today it's an anachronism, as is its social
base, the nation-state. Of course, we should love our own country, the
only home most of us have; but let's break out of nationalism and care
for the whole world.
Automatic patriotic emotional responses do make me think of people
going blindly off to war. Instead of resonating with patriotic appeals
during this period when the government desires support for military
action, let's think before acting. R. Reagan seems bent on showing
that it isn't only Democrat Presidents who can lead the USA into a
major modern war. --Genji
I did not immediately respond to Genji's unreasonable and completely unfounded
attack on my thinking abilities, because I assumed, correctly, that other
readers would defend me. However, he have a stubborn and mistaken impression
of me that I feel impelled to correct.
Excuse me, did I ever say anything about excluding other countries? I don't
think my original submission said anything AT ALL about any other country,
except a reference to "O, Canada", which was not intended to be derogatory.
Perhaps Genji and I use different definitions of "patriotism."
I once submitted a public article reprimanding a gentleman from the University
of Oklahoma who was complaining that someone should "go back where you came
from if you don't like this country." I am against nationalism, and those
perverted practices of "patriotism" Genji mentions. I think it is very
patriotic indeed to celebrate the diversity of culture this country is
supposed to represent. The Statue of Liberty is a testament to this idea.
Excluding anyone from love for "patriotic" reasons is stupid.
Being coerced by my government to kill people is one of my worst FEARS. I
do and would not take any kind of pleasure WHATEVER in killing anything for
any reason. It is counterproductive and avoids points of controversy by
attempting to silence the "opposing side". For my own views on violence
and war, please read the writings of M. K. Gandhi; he expresses these well.
Please read any of my other submissions to net.politics to see that I am
an opponent of many of President Reagan's policies. I certainly shall
not "blindly go off to war", and I always try to "think before acting".
I don't see how loving one's country is a crime, or even harmful in the
least.
The purpose of my submission was not to advocate war, nationalism, national
pride, patriotism, Steven Spielberg, the design of our flag, or the suitablility
of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as a national anthem. One purpose was to
consider the emotional power of music in cinema, and the effects of repeated
exposure to music, and the emotional impact of community. Another was to
share an interesting (to me, at least) experience with various people.
("America the Beautiful" is much more suitable, and inspires me more, anyway.)
As for "breaking out of nationalism" and "caring for the whole world", I am
an active member of Amnesty International USA, an organization that works for
the release of prisoners held solely for their beliefs and who have not used
or advocated violence. Another primary goal is the humane treatment of
prisoners held for any reason, in ANY country. I regularly read several
international newspapers, and am equally dismayed at executions in the U.S. and
Soviet Union, multinational deaths in Lebanon, Cuban deaths in Grenada,
"disappearances" of Chilean citizens, and the government-sponsored murders
of Afghani and El Salvadoran people. US citizens are not better than others,
just luckier.
I wish Americans of the United States cared more about the torture and killing
by police of a Phillipino citizen in front of his wife and children than
about whether wearing Japanese characters on a T-shirt is chic. The latter
concern is NOT international awareness.
Anyone whose biggest worry is whether he can obtain a Cabbage Patch Doll
this Christmas can come to me and I'll give him something more substantial
to think about.
Dave Decot
decvax!cwruecmp!decot (Decot.Case@rand-relay)