National, and Racial/Ethnic Pride is Stupid.....

My neighbors always get bad at me around the fourth of july because I'm the only one on my block that does not talk about how proud I am to be an american. I keep telling them that I beieve that pride should be reserved for something that you achieve on your own power, and that having pride in something like Nationality or race, which are caused by accident of birth is wrong.

They call me unpatriotic, but I am not....I am very happy to be an American. I merely do not see it as something that is worthy of pride.....I did nothing to become an America. I was merely born in the right place, at the right time.

 

No argument. It got the Serb and Croatian nationalists on track to commit genocide only 19 years ago.

 

It would be quite hard to achieve anything/success on your own if you were living in an all out socialist nation where big government controlled your every move. However, if you are living in America where everyone has the opportunity to become successful because of our capitalistic society--then to not be proud of or honor a nation that gives you that freedom to be successful is to be classified as an outright disengenous dickhead. I guess it goes without saying that you would be just as indifferent and disrespectful of our military for also giving you that freedom to live here in America. Seems like you got a lot going for yourself there Dagwood.

 

As an immigration lawyer, I met hundreds of people who would give their right arm to have what you have, the right to live and work legally in America.

The stories my clients told me made me realize that the vast majority of the world's people live in poverty and unhappiness.

It made me realize that every American should get down on his knees every day and thank God he was born an American.

Talk to immigrants and find out why they left their countries and came to America.

Or better yet, travel to a place like Haiti and see for yourself.

 

So you're saying if Americans celebrate Fourth of July, we'll start committing genocide?

Who will be our victims? Canadians?

You never fail to amaze Awryly.

 

I think you're missing the point. The OP is quite happy to be an American. But he doesn't feel pride because pride is reserved for ones accomplishments.

 

And this is why I say progressives should actually leave their country once in a while.

 

Being proud of something you had no influence on is so (*)(*)(*)(*)ing stupid.

 

I agree. It seems the word pride has become interchangeable with the real word which seems far more appropriate, which is- gratitude.

I'm grateful to be an American and proud of my achievements.

 

I am proud that we live in a country that tolerates those who aren't proud of it. LOL

I am proud of my children. I have a daughter in dental school, a son getting a business degree, and another daughter who is in highschool doing very well.

Wouldn't this pride I feel in my children also be wrong by your definition?

I certainly didn't make my children what they are, but I did have some influence on how they turned out didin't I?

As a citizen of the United States I can and do have some influence on how the country turns out don't I? Why is it wrong to be proud of that?

 

Aye ..... you may have something there....but when you are not allowed to fly your flag, when you are not allowed to speak your own language on pain of death, when you cannot call your self by your nationality....sometimes it does count greatly!

Then National pride does have its place!

But firstly your need the oppressor and the oppressed!

You need to be oppressor first! One's who refuse to let you own your own land. One's who restrict the job markets. Ones who sideline any who speaks out! One who denigrates your culture for their own or subservient yours with ridicule!!

Just look at the relationship between the political system and aristocracy of England and Scottish people!!
There is no relationship unless you countenance thuggery and thievery. Those stealing Scottish lands against the interests of the indigenous population!!
The land clearance's or the use of the population as fodder for English or now American wars of expansionism! You can go anywhere in the Highlands and see for yourself the war memorials where villages used to be! Cairngorms a beautiful unspoiled vista...... where there used to be a million people!

Regards
Highlander

 

english opression (see ulster) and protestant opression doesnt mean I have to be proud of something I didnt choose.

 

That is to not being proud of where you've born. You didn't choose that. I agree with the OP. You must be proud of your achievements. That is stupid. Nationalist stupid mentality.

Yes, there are people that are in worse situation than you, and? Is it not for a nation that achievements. That is done by the people, and the people don't have nationalities.

 

Since you are now old enough (I'm assuming) to choose what country you want to live in, you are now an American by choice, not by circumstance.

There are two ways of looking at pride in Western culture: There's the Christian perception of pride which is bad. To be proud in a Christian's eyes is to be arrogant, intolerant and stubborn. However, in ancient Rome, pride was a virtue. It represented respect, devotion and stewardship.

The question is which definition of pride most fits your neighborhood. Do your neighbors display righteous pride as difined by the Romans or are they guilty of the self-centered, destructive pride typified by the Bible?

 

Well it's understandable if you have nothing to be proud of. After all, what has the EU every done for anyone else.

Americans have a lot to be proud of.

 

Yep.
Thanks to my country colombus discovered america.
Hate it for that.
And einstein and newton, michel faraday or marie curie but who cares europe has never done anything for the world


Americans have nuking cities and waging uncountable wars to be proud.

 

Who said that Europe has never done anything for the world? Plus I think that America has more than "nuking cities and waging uncountable wars to be proud.". You know, like inventing countless technological advances that have led to the modern world. You should thank America and her capitalism for Steve Jobs opening up Apple Inc. in his garage. Led to the creation of the modern computer. Also, thank the US Military for inventing the internet, which you use to spill hatred of the US on. Why, without America how would you be able to tell everyone that you hate America?

 

Read jonelyn's posts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet#History


woot world wide web

 

I don't have to thank "America". I have to give thank you to the people that make technological advances. America didn't do anything. It did the people. LOL And a collectivist have to say you this. Shame of you.

Here shows who are the individualist or not

 

Neither did I..... But pride in ones identity.....I see nothing wrong with that! Rather the opposite!
I didn't speak of the "famine"...the starvation and death of 60% of the Irish nation! The tool and preferred use by the English aristocracy for partisans!

So why did you?

Regards
Highlander

 

Pride in what you choose like being an honest guy.

 

True...but ignoring the fact that 60% died for the glorification of the "English" landowners way...isn't

Regards
Highlander

 

Fair enough. So you guys obviously think gay pride, black pride, hispanic pride, etc. are all stupid as well then? Since they're all just as much an accident of birth.

 

I have no problem with anybody taking pride in these things. I have a problem with ethnic/national supremacism and those who proliferate it under the guise of having "pride" in it.

 

All racial pride is stupid