Being an American patriot in April of 2021


Yesterday I noticed that one of the people that I follow on TikTok, whose opinions I value, talked about something that no one nowadays seems to be talking about: how the word "patriot" here in the USA got so distorted in recent years. Someone had commented on the fact that he had included the word "patriot" on his profile, and questioned how that could be possible since he supported Black Lives Matter, stuff like that. And his challenge was for people like me to take back the word patriot, which I'm doing.

I also have an American flag on my profile, and an American flag flying on my house. And in April of 2021, I know that it can confuse people, but I'm taking back the flag, and the word patriot.

And I am soooo proud of America! We've rolled up our sleeves, and got shots into arms here on the home front. I compare this to the building of a great war machine, with the enemy being COVID-19.

The eyes of the world are on us, and we're making it happen. Yesterday I learned that we're already shipping vaccines to countries in desperate need, and of course, as usual, there will be criticisms of US policy. We will be accused of too little, too late, not getting things exactly right, we shouldn't meddle, the list goes on. This isn't be the first time we've stepped up to be a good neighbor to the world and it won't be the last time.

Of course, a lot of people will never understand this. To them, it will always be some sort of conspiracy, a plot, something cruel and underhanded. And I feel so sorry for those people. Theirs is a frightened world, cowering in the shadows, and I guess there's nothing I can do to help them. But they've spent too much time cloaking themselves in the flag that I love, and calling themselves patriots, so I say that's gotta stop. I'm taking back pride in America, and I'm taking back the word patriot.

"Lafayette, we are here!"

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