On actual patriotism

Flag Day reflections

Today is my birthday.

I was born on Flag Day in the early 80s, making me firmly stuck between Gen X and Millennials. I embrace the Xennial label proudly, as we were the ones raised in both an analog and digital world. I think it also gives us a bit of a pragmatic view of a lot of things too, and many of us apply that to our work and our lives and our beliefs.

Being born on Flag Day was always a cool thing growing up. And at least as a kid, I always felt very patriotic about that. You put out the flags, you’d wear red, white, and blue. All the fun flag things. The funny thing is that I thought doing that stuff made you labeled as patriotic. I waved flags, I wore colors of the USA, I was patriotic.

Ironically, as an adult, my opinion on what defines patriotism has changed. And what is deemed by some as patriotic is exactly how I viewed it as a kid with a Flag Day birthday. Wrapping yourself in a flag or saying you love a country isn’t what defines patriotism. Or it shouldn’t be at least. It’s not a fad or viral trend. Patriotism is a real thing, a serious business. But it also doesn’t have one definition. No one “owns” patriotism. No one can corner the market on patriotism. My definition of patriotism is probably different than someone else’s. Actually, it may be different than a lot of people’s definitions.

To me, patriotism is loving your country but also loving your countrymen. It’s not about waving a flag and saying we’re the best. It’s waving a flag and recognizing that it’s a symbol no one owns. It’s a symbol of a place that is supposed to provide an opportunity, a chance, the ability to try to ensure you leave it better than you found it. It’s supposed to be a symbol of freedom, which exists in name but still too often remains elusive for too many.

Washington, Lincoln, and others referred to America as an “experiment.” As a scientist, I know that experiments are broadly defined as “a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects in order to learn about something.” This definition comes from Britannica, but that definition is pretty close. The American experiment began about 250 years ago and we’re still running that “series of actions.” From past actions we’ve learned a number of things, good and bad about our country and society and humanity. Patriotism should embody the American experiment. If you want the series of experiments to be successful, you want to leave it better than you found it, then in my view, you are patriotic.

While Flag Day honors the American flag and is the birthday of the U.S. Army, it should really be a reminder and a caution. The true definition of patriotism will vary, but ultimately it comes down to respecting your country and your people. And to do that, you should want the American experiment to be successful for all. Recognize that we are a land of opportunities that appeals to people the world over. In some cases, they’re willing to risk everything to get a taste. For the experiment to be a success, it takes all of us lifting each other up, not tearing each other down.

The phrase “leave it better than you found it” is often misattributed, but it seems to originate with an Iowan turned Kansan named Bessie Anderson Stanley. Her 1904 poem “Success” gets to the heart of the matter.

Success

He has achieved success
who has lived well,
laughed often, and loved much;

who has enjoyed the trust of
pure women,

the respect of intelligent men and
the love of little children;

who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

who has left the world better than he found it
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem or a rescued soul;

who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty
or failed to express it;

who has always looked for the best in others and
given them the best he had;

whose life was an inspiration;
whose memory a benediction.

When thinking of flags and patriotism, take heed of those words. True patriotism isn’t wrapping yourself in cloth. It’s much, much more than that.