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I was born into an annexed region. I could have been Italian, but because of my Grandfather’s stubbornness, and because part of our farm was on the right side of the mountains/border, I came into this world as an Austrian girl. I am also American, by choice and love. The love for the man I met so many decades ago, who I followed to his country, who became my husband. Whose language I learned, whose passion I share. I am an American-Austrian, an Austria-American, a female version of Schwarzenegger. I am an Austrian in America.
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I am a patriot by birth, but nobody in Austria uses this word, same goes for Germany. We can’t use the word patriotism because of this Hitler guy, who pretty much ruined it for us. We still wave the flag, we are proud of the land and its history, we sing the anthem, but we are also cautious. History should not repeat itself, yet it does, or almost did. A right-wing party got the most votes in the last election in Austria, but thankfully, a coalition of other parties was quickly formed and blocked them from taking over (for now). A right-wing party is the cause for great turmoil in Germany now, especially in the newer(old) parts of the reunited Germany.
What is patriotism anyway?
The term comes from French with the direct translation “love of the fatherland,” which I suppose means a connection to cultural and historical values and achievements of the people or country. When people in a country are proud of their nation, it should be easy to work together and achieve something. If everyone loves their country, the citizens should be able to forget their differences.
In reality is too often the opposite. Patriotism often goes hand in hand with small-mindedness. A nation believing they are better than everybody else, overlooking the fact that everybody else might believe the same about their country.
Patriotism is a tricky beast.
As an American, I celebrate Independence Day on the Fourth of July, which is basically a holiday for patriotism. And I have to admit, it’s just fun. It’s fun to light fireworks and wave flags.
A few years back, I watched a reality show called “America’s Got Talent”, one of these shows where people audition to become famous or rich, preferably both. A man walked on stage and introduced himself. He wanted to break a world record, and said he would try to smash/break watermelons with his head. The crowd was sceptical, so was I.
The watermelons were lined up on a table, and so he began. The young man split the melons with his head, one after another. Juices ran everywhere; he had blood on his forehead, yet he continued smashing melons, and the crowd started counting with him. “USA, USA,” they shouted, and I shook my head. We were watching someone hurt himself on national TV, not for glory but for a silly world record. Is this patriotic?
Can patriotism be bloody? (Yes, look in the history books, look around).
Well, you can guess it. I didn’t cheer for the watermelon smasher.
Does that mean I am not a patriot?
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Can I even be a patriot for two countries?
If both countries believe they are the greatest, then who is right, and where does this leave me?
I think patriotism describes a deep emotional connection to one’s own nation, a strong love and loyalty to one’s homeland, or the country you call home. I love both countries equally; I have two souls in my chest, and my heart beats for both.
I am a critical patriot because I believe you should never follow anything or anybody blindly.
To see the flaws and still love, isn’t that what love is all about? To forgive, to be kind, to be real? To work together, to help another.
There is a point when people become too patriotic. This is one reason why many Austrians and their neighbors, the Germans, do not call themselves patriots, because they think of the history of their countries, and they know that if you really love your fatherland, it can go too far and it can have great consequences. I’m talking about the Second World War, of course, if that wasn’t clear enough. Patriotism can become nationalism, which can be very bad because nationalism can often trigger violent radicalism and extremism.
Another drawback of patriotism is too often leads to discrimination.
Sometimes, when you are very proud of your country, you forget about the terrible events that have happened. For example, discrimination against Native Americans in the USA. When many people in the U.S. say they’re proud to be an American, they’re defining what and who is an American, and sometimes Native Americans don’t fit into that definition, and usually they’re forgotten in U.S. history, even if they were there first, and the so-called patriots just took the land they lived on from them. And if you’re too proud of your country, you can be blind to everything bad that happened there. Injustice and discrimination. These events should never be forgotten.
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I was raised and urged to hate Italy and Italians, because the area I belong to—South Tyrol/Alto Adige/Südtirol had been given to Italy after World War I, against the will of the people. Even 100 years later, these stubborn, rebellious people to whom I still belong, they don’t want to be Italians, and it shows to this day throughout the area. You can annex a land, but you can’t annex the hearts. (Just to be clear: I love Italy and Italians because I escaped hatred, but that’s another story.)
The Austrian Empire has a ton of skeletons in its closet. You don’t become an empire without bloodshed and greed.
Should I be a patriot?
You guessed it, yes, I have an opinion. I’ve been thinking a lot about this question, because…
on the one hand,
my country and my culture are a part of my identity. I was born and raised in Austria. I’m an American by choice, but I have lived longer in the USA than I have in the country I belong to by birth. I’m an Austrian forever. I am an American forever. Neither country is perfect; there are many problems, and sometimes I am ashamed of both countries when I read the news and learn that THEY have done something stupid again. But there are still things I can be proud of.
On the other hand,
I see what my countries are doing now and what they have done in the past, and I’m not proud of it. And I see nice, great people in the USA and in Austria, and I’m proud of them, but I’m also proud of the great people around the world, and I think it’s pointless to wave a flag and announce that I’m proud and that I love my countries. Wouldn’t I look like an idiot, waving both flags?
So I’m not a flag-waving, watermelon-smashing, cheering patriot, but I’m a good human being who believes in this world. And I believe that we can make this world really great.
Who do I cheer for in the Olympics, you wonder?
The underdog…always the underdog and my countries!
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I am not sure what watermelon smashing has to do with USA (it would make sense if they chanted, “melon head” or “smash, smash, smash!”) but like you, I probably would not have watched or cheered for the world record attempt. I know some of the previous “world records” I have seen are done for some really crazy or plain weird things though. Anyway…
I am sure you have love for your mother country and for the place you now call home. I too love the US, but I am currently embarrassed by the members of government in power these days. Not so much governing “for the people” as there is for ego and wealth. I do fly a flag sometimes (and if it gets torn I dispose of it properly at the local American Legion and not just in the trash. I vote regularly. And this year for the first time I have found a politician running a pretty bipartisan campaign that I am actually donating to monthly – a very SMALL amount. But I would not say I am a patriot. To me that term I have always associated more with veterans (or those currently serving) and those in politics (hopefully for the right reasons) directly. Someone working or serving the nation to me is a “true” patriot. But I do love my country.
(Sorry for the long answer… I really should learn to muzzle my fingertips some days!)
(BTW this is attempt #3 to get this comment posted… anyone else having issues with a “nonce verification failed” after you try to comment?)
WHOO_HOO! This one was accepted! 😀
I am so sorry you had problems leaving a comment. WordPress surely has some glitches. I think the word ‘patriotic’ is overused and abused.
It’s tricky. Sometimes I think the far right believe they are the only ones allowed to fly a flag or express pride in our country. Though at the moment, though I would still fly a flag, I am not particularly proud of things that are happening here.
I think everybody with a moral compass is not very proud right now.
Bridget – you are wrong – your post will speak to most who take a moment away from the noise in the world and think. I have known quite a few people from Sud-Tyrol and heard the same emotions. As for me – I wholeheartedly feel both Australian, which has been my homeland for most of my life . . . and Estonian, my tiny oft ravaged land of birth, which always has and still does ‘fight’ for the right to be individual . . . and actually does it with great flair. Well, I feel enriched to have the double wealth . . . and hope and understand others feeling the same way . . . just don’t say you are better or best > we all have the right to be proud of the lands where we were born and where we have chosen to live . . . thank you.
It’s the either/or that bothers me. There are so many of us who belong to two countries, often by choice. I didn’t know you were from Estonia. I had my book cover made by a lady in Estonia. She did a marvelous job.
What a fun coincidence, Am not surprised – find books anywhere and you will find Estonians 🙂 ! Don’t know whether it is the almost dour seriousness in the people, the very high educational standards usual and expected in the country or the long, long, freezing dark winters but we read! Have a huge number of publishing firms doing work for all around the world. My Mother, in the 1920s was the Financial Controller of the largest ‘Loodus’ – still going to this day > so you can imagine there were books in every room quite besides the library 🙂 !
Did you ever write down, or dictate your life story for your family and friends? I bet you have tales to tell and share. If you did, please consider me a fan and let me know how I can find it.
Parts of ‘my story’ appeared in a couple of books in Estonian and German about a decade back. Together with those from others who were in the same situation. Somehow have felt that I was not ‘interesting’ enough – one of hundreds of thousands of kids affected by WWII. There is another point to be honest – I do come from a pretty important Esto family – Dad was the Prosecutor of the Higher Military Court about to become Defense Minister and . . . then? Every time I write a ‘bit’ now on blogs etc I know the absolute truth does sound like ‘bragging’ . . . I simply would not be believed and that would hurt!
No two people are ever the same, and it is extremely unlikely that any two people will have the same views, so it is futile to try to group, for whatever reason, by spurious labels such as race, colour, creed, religion, political belief, gender, sexual orientation, or any other human made descriptor. I am much more concerned that I, and others, are decent, caring, compassionate, forgiving, helpful, and kind. I love this post Bridget. It shows what a thoughtful and lovely person you are. Thank goodness that there are still plenty of the same type all over the world.
I sincerely appreciate what you have written here. Patriotism is, as you said, a tricky course to walk. I cringe when I hear people chanting USA USA. The chant reminds me of the Nazi Nuemberg rallies. I am, on my father’s side, second generation Dutch. I know what my great grandparents and others suffered during the War. On my mother’s side, my roots in the States go back to the 1630s. I am not a flag waver, particularly now during this Trumpian Age. For me, it is more important to be a decent, responsible human being, willing to stand for the rights of others, their civil rights, equal rights, &c. Do I consider myself a patriot? Not really. I am “proud” of my family’s heritage, but my heart, my spirit looks beyond the temple of nationalism. Thank you for sharing what you did here.
My post will not speak to many. I appreciate your reply and your sincerity. It’s good to know that we (I) are not alone.