What is a Patriot and what does it mean to you?

Unfortunately it is now being linked to Trump in my consciousness.

Patriotism (or forget the ism) being a patriot to me means to be grateful to the country that has nurtured me so far, to educate myself on our historical origins and struggles, be mindful of those events and the people who lived them and the privilege of being able to voice opinions on all matters whether nice or nasty, and vote according to my conscience when the opportunity arrives.

To be proud of upholding the values of my country: freedom, democracy, tolerance, upholding the rule of law, free speech and Yorkshire Puddings.

Oh the YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS! 😋

A patriot cares for their country.
They abide by the laws of the country.
They do not sully the streets with litter and dog excrement.
They respect others.
They stand up for their values and their country.

Anyone who uses the word patriot is a rightwinger who thinks anyone with a loyalty to their country who does not share their views is a woke commie.

Well I'm at a loss to know exactly what Patriotism demands.

Because, on social media...

I was told I was "unpatriotic" because I voted Remain - and when I 'empathised' with a Leave voter, I was actually called a "traitor".

So I don't really know what Patriotism is - I'm just proud of the good things that my country of birth has done.

Will that do?

M0nica

Anyone who uses the word patriot is a rightwinger who thinks anyone with a loyalty to their country who does not share their views is a woke commie.

Really? Wow…..😂😂

Patriot is currently on my list of puzzle words. Those would be words I avoid or explain precisely what I meant by my statement.

Gay, woke, partner, patriot....

I don’t like that it is often linked to committing war crimes abroad, in fact don’t really like the word at all, imho I would only ever say I love the UK, I would never say I am a patriot. But also I feel we should all feel a kinship and compassion for people all around d the world. Medicine without borders could not be described as patriotic because it operates world wide as does the Red Cross. Borders keep us safe but can also make us narrow minded and unkind. I know what I have said will not be popular but is just my opinion.

Babs03

I don’t like that it is often linked to committing war crimes abroad, in fact don’t really like the word at all, imho I would only ever say I love the UK, I would never say I am a patriot. But also I feel we should all feel a kinship and compassion for people all around d the world. Medicine without borders could not be described as patriotic because it operates world wide as does the Red Cross. Borders keep us safe but can also make us narrow minded and unkind. I know what I have said will not be popular but is just my opinion.

Fabulous comment!

M0nica

Anyone who uses the word patriot is a rightwinger who thinks anyone with a loyalty to their country who does not share their views is a woke commie.

I was just about to say that! Sadly, like the Union Flag, the word patriot has been adopted by a certain type of person, generally intolerant and dismissive of any other opinions. We saw the ugly side of patriotism before and after the Brexit referendum when those of us unhappy about the result were accused of, amongst other things, being unpatriotic.

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.
The popularity of Reform is a sign of the strength of feeling which still exists in spite of those who see patriotism as a mental health problem.

Unfortunately I think the word has been taken over by the right. For me it now has a connotation of Farage and Robinson shroud waving ‘Let’s make Britain great again, and get out Johnny Foreigner’ rather than what it originally stood for. It’s sad.

What if one is a citizen of, say, Iran or Afghanistan? Should one be patriotic about one’s country then? I think it’s a very loaded term.

mum2three

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.
The popularity of Reform is a sign of the strength of feeling which still exists in spite of those who see patriotism as a mental health problem.

I refer to my previous post, how dare you say that those of us who voted to Remain are unpatriotic. It is this attitude that gives the word patriotism a very bad name. If this is the club, I don't want to be a member.

I did try to work it out, ever so hard, but it has too many politically negative and complicated connotations for me to feel comfy using it.

mum2three

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.
The popularity of Reform is a sign of the strength of feeling which still exists in spite of those who see patriotism as a mental health problem.

You are wrong of course but won’t bother explaining why because I doubt you really want me to do so.
And seeing as I don’t particularly like the word patriot am not bothered about being called a non-patriot. And my old dad who fought against fascism in the Second World War never called himself a patriot and was all for the EU.
Anyway have a good day.

Cossy

Babs03

I don’t like that it is often linked to committing war crimes abroad, in fact don’t really like the word at all, imho I would only ever say I love the UK, I would never say I am a patriot. But also I feel we should all feel a kinship and compassion for people all around d the world. Medicine without borders could not be described as patriotic because it operates world wide as does the Red Cross. Borders keep us safe but can also make us narrow minded and unkind. I know what I have said will not be popular but is just my opinion.

Fabulous comment!

great words Babs03 I agree

mum2three

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.
The popularity of Reform is a sign of the strength of feeling which still exists in spite of those who see patriotism as a mental health problem.

oh dear

Mum2three

I completely agree with HPQ, absolutely outrageous, and totally unfounded, to accuse anyone of being unpatriotic because they voted remain!

It’s because I DO care about both our country and those living in it, that I voted both Remain and Labour, and I would so again, given the chance.

Where, and when, has ANYONE suggested being “patriotic* as having a mental health condition?

Honestly, you couldn’t make it up! I would say what I truly think about many people who voted leave and Remain, but I have no wish to be banned!

mum2three

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.
The popularity of Reform is a sign of the strength of feeling which still exists in spite of those who see patriotism as a mental health problem.

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there. This is why I would class all those who voted to remain in the EU to be non-patriots. Your first duty is to your country.

By "non-patriots" I assume you mean traitors - that's the dictionary definition anyway.

But, what if we non-patriots / traitors really believe that our country was better off say, economically, and certainly regarding conditions / rights within the workplace, as a member of the EU?

Would that alter your perspective?

Or are you one of those who frequently told Remainers to "go and live in the EU if you love it so much"?

... entirely missing the point of why many Remainers wanted to remain.

I would say that a patriot is someone who has a strong sense of belonging to their country and is concerned about what happens there.

If I genuinely believe my country fared better within the EU - how does that logically make me "un-patriotic" - because I was concerned about "what happens here" just as much as you, but had a different point of view about it?

Dickens

Well I'm at a loss to know exactly what Patriotism demands.

Because, on social media...

I was told I was "unpatriotic" because I voted Remain - and when I 'empathised' with a Leave voter, I was actually called a "traitor".

So I don't really know what Patriotism is - I'm just proud of the good things that my country of birth has done.

Will that do?

Yes!

keepingquiet

To be proud of upholding the values of my country: freedom, democracy, tolerance, upholding the rule of law, free speech and Yorkshire Puddings.

Especially Yorkshire Puddings!