Suriya Vinayak Balaji
I CSE – 3
The main notion of patriotism is to bring people together and foster a sense of pride in their homeland. But does it really bring people together? Perhaps, but that isn’t always the case. Especially when it comes to minorities, they still encounter challenges related to marginalization. When negative emotions come into play, the true spirit of patriotism can be undermined. In such cases, individuals may become trapped in a competitive mindset, which, while it can enhance skills and cognitive abilities, often leads to unnecessary division and leaves minorities feeling vulnerable and excluded. This dynamic highlights the complexity of patriotism and its impact on social cohesion.
In the era of globalization and modernism, ideals that the world has always proudly upheld coexist with an increase in wars and conflicts. Somewhere along the lines of nationality, race, and beliefs, people around the world have become more disintegrated than connected. I think there’s a very thin line dividing patriotism from extremism; one person views it as patriotism, while another sees it as extremism. We need to ensure that we acknowledge this thin line of difference. It’s disheartening to watch how sometimes we end up making assumptions about other people based on their nationality. Instead, we should evaluate people by their actions and character. Just as we oppose racism because it discriminates against people, we should be cautious with patriotism as well, though it’s less severe. Patriotism is good as long as it doesn’t harm others and respects equality.
