Patriotism is only a label?

We all know the word “patriotism”. The dictionary defines patriotism as a moral and political principle, social sense, the content of which is the love to the Homeland and the willingness to subordinate its interests to your own.

So how modern people can determine the concept of "patriotism"? A small survey that was made as part of the topic, revealed the following results: the majority of respondents said that patriotism is the love to the country, protection of country’s honor and people. However, when I asked the question about the manifestation of patriotism in action, many participants prefer to avoid answering. It became clear that the idea of patriotism for the people is only an idea, something idealistic. Is it really possible to consider that a man is a patriot if he knows its definition?

For example, a person lives in our country, thinks that he is a patriot, shouts about duty to the Motherland in different directions. And what other people do? Try to admire! "Look, he is a patriot!". Just wanted to ask, "What have you done for the country to wear such an important title?"

Why are we talking about patriotism when young people struggle to escape a military duty?

Why are we talking about patriotism when people ignore the cultural heritage of their country? Now it's normal to paint Nazi symbols on the monuments that are devoted to the heroes of The Great Patriotic War. It’s the excellent indicator of disrespect to the past of the nation, isn’t it?

Why are we talking about the patriotism when people stop loving their native language? They are doing their best to get it out of their lives and use foreign words as often as possible. Look, we are surrounded by shops, travel agencies and companies having the most incredible names. More and more people, especially young people, speak a specific language, using countless loanwords. For example, words such as: VIP, coffee-break, boyfriend, second-hand so tightly come into our life that we consider them as our own. But the language is one of the main components of the national culture.

Let’s imagine what will happen when we forget our native language, destroy all the cultural achievements and stop to be responsible for our actions. The country where you were born, where you live as a result of inactivity of people will transform into a weak and disorganized system without respect, pride and responsibility.

What do we really wish for such a unique country with the centuries-old history? Is it really the future that great writers and poets wanted for our country, when they praised it in their works?

We must not forget the citizens of what country we are. Our heroic past, difficult present and hope for the better future should unite us and move forward to high goals.