NdukuOutLoud

Daily writing prompt

Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?

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In all honesty, I have never thought about this. Or questioned my patriotism- or lack thereof. Maybe because I didn’t choose it- I was born into it. And for a long time, and I still do feel- stuck with it. I haven’t travelled much, so my knowledge of other nations comes filtered through the internet, which is often biased. Without comparison, how do you even decide what country to love?

Can be a citizen here and be patriotic to another? Because I look around the world, I see countries practicing responsibility in ways that make me wish I were a citizen there. Singapore’s strict anti-corruption laws remind me how much integrity matters. Malawi and Nepal outlawing child marriage (although the whole idea of someone being comfortable marrying a child- that we have to set laws to protect them is disturbing).Costa Rica’s ban on deforestation and New Zealand’s recognition of rivers as legal persons. Are just a few of the examples that inspire me.

And what does patriotism really mean? Is it loyalty to leaders? To fellow citizens? To a piece of land inside man-made borders? That feels absurd. Maybe it’s loyalty to ideals-that makes more sense.

Google defines patriotism as “love, devotion, and a sense of attachment to one’s country.” Strong words. Love. Devotion. Attachment. If that’s the standard, then I’m afraid I don’t qualify.

But I cheer for Kenyans on international stages. I beam with pride when I introduce myself as Kenyan. I think our flag is beautiful. I love our nature, our environment, our people-and I care for them as best I can. Politically, I reject corruption and hope for better leadership. I vote. I don’t hate my opponents when they win. I won’t fight a fellow citizen over politics.

Patriotism isn’t blind devotion-it’s the responsibility to nurture, protect, and hold accountable the place we call home.

Would I go to war for my country? Probably not. But I wouldn’t burn it down either.

So am I a patriot?

Patriotism isn’t blind devotion. It’s about responsibility. Responsibility to care for the people, values, and environment of one’s country. Responsibility to resist what harms it and nurture what helps it thrive.

By that measure, indifference, exploitation, and corruption are the opposite of patriotism. They are irresponsibility. They drain, ignore, and exploit instead of tending, protecting, and nurturing.

Patriotism, then, is less about waving a flag and more about tending a garden. Protecting what’s beautiful. Pruning what’s harmful. Ensuring growth.

I may not be a patriot in the traditional sense. But I am responsible. And maybe that’s the truest form of patriotism we can practice.