I am a Peace Activist and this is what Patriotism means to me

by Ravi Nitesh (India)

If your patriotism encourages you to wage war and spread hatred, I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

If your patriotism makes you proud on the blood of soldiers due to the State’s constructed and unresolved conflict, I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

If your patriotism remains silent on the higher defense budgets, on soldiers’ suicide, on long sustained conflicts, I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

If your patriotism is based on taking revenge, I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

If your patriotism questions peace workers and put behind bars human rights activists, then I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

If your patriotism is just associated to piece of land and do not care peace of people living on it, I am sorry my friends, it’s not my patriotism.

What do you ask? What is my patriotism?

My patriotism is about people, about values, about culture, about diversity. My patriotism lives in resolving conflicts, in celebrating diversity, in bringing smiles on faces, in respect of even strangers. My patriotism lives in living and feeling proud upon my country, without insulting or having hatred about other countries and its people. My patriotism lives in my spirit and freedom that allows me to ask questions.

Photo Source: Internet

Advertisement