"My loyalties will not be bound by national borders, or confined in time by one nation’s history, or limited in the spiritual dimension by one language and culture. I pledge my allegiance to the damned human race, and my everlasting love to the green hills of Earth, and my intimations of glory to the singing stars, to the very end of space and time." - Edward Abbey
Someone posted this quote on his Tumblr blog apparently very proud of the "wisdom" it carries. The quote was shared hundreds of times by other bloggers. The interesting thing is that these proud citizens of the world still hold on to their national passports and profit from all the privileges a citizenship of a country, especially a Western one, carries with it.
I agree that we are all citizens of the world and it isn't wrong to embrace this "oneness". But neither it is wrong or mistaken to be patriotic and proud about one's own country, its culture, tradition, and history. The plain denial or rejection of it is nothing, but an idle exercise of an impractical mind.
There is a very nasty trend in the United States, however. For some sinister reason people are ridiculed and forced to give up their patriotism. Spontaneous displays of it are suppressed. "Someone" is afraid of the rise of nationalism. I personally find this ridiculous, but the arguments go that the "foreign" neighbors (Mexicans, Arabs, Indians and others) are offended when they see an American flag displayed next door.
Maybe if you lived in Mexico or in Saudi Arabia it would not surprise me that you felt disturbed by American flags. But if you made USA your home you should sincerely embrace this country and its customs. And if you don't like it in America, simply pack your stuff and go back to where you come from. No one holds you here by force!
Dominique Teng
Image source unknown but greatly appreciated