We are a divided country. It doesn’t 
need to be that way
Look up the word patriotism, and you will find a very powerful definition. “Love for, or devotion to one’s country”. Exactly what that means has been open to interpretation, yet its meaning should be clear. Despite our political differences, we are all Americans, and together make up one country. Although we might not agree on matters such as health care, taxes, or education, we should be civil enough to walk away from a conversation without emotional residue. Sadly, this is becoming more and more unlikely as the country becomes more divided.
With the advent of social media and news sources more interested in promoting ideology than journalism, patriotism is on the verge of collapse. This is concerning. A country can acknowledge its past, learn from it, and move forward with an understanding that the pursuit of a more perfect union is never really finished. When Colin Kaepernick first sat, (not kneel) during the national anthem, it symbolized the necessity of having a conversation regarding racial inequality, which was definitely needed. Now, 5 years later, the country is more at odds with one another than we have been in quite some time. Sadly, standing for the national anthem has now become somewhat controversial, if you are to believe the endless array of opinion pieces generated by such sites as Yahoo news or Huffington Post. In defense of kneeling, advocates have stated it is a social justice protest. Yet there is no end to it, no satisfactory conclusion that can put it to rest.
If you ever watch a boxing match with a Mexican fighter, the national anthem of Mexico is usually played before the US anthem. You will not find one single person sitting. Instead, you will see a passionate and jubilant crowd singing along, hugging one another, and showing respect for their homeland. View a European soccer game and you are bound to observe something similar. These are patriots that understand the faults of their country, not just in the present, but in its past. However, in that moment, the faults of their country are nonexistent. There is love for their fellow countrymen, and differences set aside. Regardless of what their government is engaging in, this is the time to be unified. America can certainly learn from them the beauty of patriotism.
We can only control ourselves, and the time has come to not be embarrassed by a love of country, but protect it, embrace it, and praise it. In an ever changing global environment, the rise of China, the intimidation of Russia, and the threat of Iran, the US is on global display. We can either show division or unity. Unity produces greater outcomes, while division shows a society that is weak and unbalanced.
There is a time to discuss our differences, but there is also a time to showcase our patriotism. Now more than ever, we need to band together and let the world see it.
Until next time
JPN