Engaged Citizen 20 | Patriotism & Courage
We are at the end of Timothy Snyder’s book as a guide. Using the final chapters, we talk about the difference between patriotism and nationalism - an apt conversation as we engage in conflict in the Middle East and service members will surely have to ask themselves if they are enlisted for patriotic or nationalistic ideals. The highest ethic of their profession is rooted in patriotism - universal humanistic values guided by a longing to make the world and our country better. Nationalism, on the other hand, presumes superiority. So we are asked in this moment, what are we willing to stand for? Snyder ends with this simple, direct statement: “If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny.”
A sobering thought for sure.
I guess where we land is to encourage each of us to ask what values we are willing to protect, and how are we best suited to do so? I really believe each of us has a unique superpower, a unique way of showing up in the world that fuels more justice, love, and mercy. When we fall away from those values, I don’t think we are acting from our superpowers, but rather from fear. Let us keep hold of the patriotic values of freedom and justice. Thanks for listening. We’ll be with you again the week of July 7th.
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Heather Cox Richardson, “Letters From An American,” June 21, 2025
Timothy Snyder, On Tyranny
James Baldwin, various