By the farthest stretches of its definition, the word 'patriot' could never be used to describe me. I have never really even thought much about patriotism; it has always been a rather vague and alien concept for me. This may be very well because of my growing up in over three different countires, but I attribute it more to the fact that I am unable to associate with any nation whose society I decry. In other words, I cannot seperate those two aspects of a country.
I have bemoaned political policies, social norms and economical fluxes, but that is as much involvement as I take credit for. In fact, I haven't even exercised my most basic duty of voting yet. For which, of course, I have a valid reason-I was a Resident American soon after I turned 18, which is the voting age where I hail from; and so, couldn't vote in either country. I was Naturalized as a citizen last year, but haven't gotten around to voting yet. Do I really need to vote-is altogether another topic which I am not embarking on today.
People with different nationalities or backgrounds are thought to have more identity crises and more rounds of those spurious 1/4-life/mid-life crises. Yet again, I felt I wouldn't belong to that bandwagon either because I didn't think nationality or the color of your passport were influential enough criteria for such things.
However, having been an 'alien resident' in perhaps one of the most anti-foreign socities in the world, I have had much opportunity to ponder upon, and finally realize, certain things. One, that nationality does indeed play a role in one's identity. Two, that I am truly both American and Indian, and Three, I am going to be at my acerbic best when the next 'all foreigners are weird and stupid/we are better than any other race' mouthing Japanese comes along.
Which brings me back to the 'patriot or not?' point. Again, I would probably be the last person to participate in political activity, but my tolerance for people who constantly belittle others with regards to their ethnicity or nationality has gone down a great deal. In particular, I have a hard time keeping my temper down when I hear people here throwing barbs at America. Yes, there are plenty of things wrong with the country right now, and possibly will be for a very long time to come. And several of which is downright against any iota of common sense. But I do not wish to be the punching bag for the weak-kneed Japanese who do not have the courage to speak where it counts. What really angers me here isn't that it's aimed at America. It's the cowardly, sneering manner in which they find fault with others while forgetting to see that their own country has plenty of problems to deal with and it doesn't really behoove them to be critical of anyone. And also that they are simply jealous because they crave the individuality a society such as America offers and yet, noone has the enterprise or the courage to step away from the herd.
I know many of you will argue and point to examples of individuality, but such small numbers are exceptions. And exceptions only confirm a rule.
But this was merely the beginning. When I got around to politely but firmly telling people that I did not wish to participate in any conversations on whether or not America was a 'worthy' country, I had this thrown at me 'But why do you care (enough to get offended)? You're not American, you're Indian!' My intitial reaction was a wave of frustration that hovered dangerously close to the tip of my tongue. But as I thought more about it, I was able to see it objectively. I could understand where that question was coming from-Japan is singularly close-minded about nationality-hell, you weren't thought of as Japanese even if both your parents were 'pureblooded' Japanese but you happened to be born and raised outside the archipelago.
I began to explain that it was their constant habit of criticising others that was actually getting to me; but I ended up having a rather enlightening moment then as I realised that I was, indeed, American. I stand for many of the qualities that America was founded upon-individuality, hard work, compassion, and acceptance of mankind-in all its colors, orientations and qualities; and was reminded of the time when I saw America to be much more than the McDonald commercials and Baywatch shows the media portrayed it to be.
That definitely doesn't mean I renounced the Indian in me; I am as Indian as I am American. Perhaps even more at times. I stand for all that India stood for once too; for honor, duty, respect and humility; and am ever so proud of the magnificient mosiac of culture and tradition that it is.
Much of who I am is shaped by both America and India; and regardless of which social norms or political policies I disagree with, I am thankful for the influence of the two countries. Which is exactly why I am no longer going to keep mum or bother with tact when it comes to putting badmouthers in their place.
And if I feel this passionate about it, am I not a patriot, after all?
