In my history class, I see Americans fight for their freedom and independence in the American Revolution. We study their stamina, their determination, and their fractious nature that becomes the foundation of American beliefs. They develop the country from the ground up, assembling a unique system of democracy in a world of monarchy. I observe this, then I observe what is happening today. Police officers are killing people of color with no repercussions, the LGBTQ+ community simultaneously targeted and isolated, and politicians cheat citizens right under our noses whilst the citizens turn against each other in division. I observe and I ponder, what makes us different? What makes me different from a “patriot” in the 1700’s? What makes the Black Lives Matter Movement different from the American Revolution?  Answer: Nothing. It may seem that a staggering difference exit between the current era and the previous era, but it’s the exact same. War still exists. Anarchy still exists. Passion still exists. Patriotism has been a secondary emotion of it all.

Patriotism, as simply defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is the “love that people feel for their country”. Examples provided were when one sacrifices themselves to their country, to serve their country. That’s it, love for a country. I love my country, but I am no patriot. I love our big, bustling cities, I love our linguistic, racial, and geographical diversity.  It is this love that pushes us forward. In all, there’s other no place I can see myself living. 

At this line is where we need to draw the line, from patriotism to love. Patriotism evolves along with a changing country. Patriotism in American society has been distorted to be an unnecessary trait, which only creates blind followers. Americans follow a group-think mentality, which divides the nation. For example, students silently, half-heartedly stand for the the Pledge of Allegiance. This fading spirit shows the needlessness of patriotism. American will continue to grow and change with or without patriotism, as it always has.