The Essential Ingredients:
All nations, irrespective of its
state of economic wellbeing, as reflected in the living standards and the cost
of living of all its citizens and subjects, as well as its paralleled
perception in the global community do have citizens that hold dear to their
heart, the nation in view. In the midst of the turmoil eroding their nation,
these individuals see no other country as home but their birth country which by
all indication is just the only country meant for them, after all God never
makes mistake, and as thus made no mistake in creating one as a national of a
country.
According to Mohandas Ghandi,
patriotism is the same as the love of humanity. You might wonder and ask
yourself where I am driving at with this article - which I sincerely have to
confess has long been delayed for about 20 months – but before you keep
pondering, sincerely respond to this… How patriotic are you towards your
country?
According to the Merriam English
Dictionary, a patriot is a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for
his or her country and patriotism is the love for or devotion
to one's country.
The underlining
guide to this work would be focussed on 5 highlighting words in my definition and
perception to what being a Patriot is all about.
I see a patriot
as an individual that exudes PAssion,
TRust and an Innate-orientation on one’s country built by the Opportunities at one’s disposal which could all influence
one’s contribution to the Transition
of one's State in all spheres of nationhood.
Patriot: A mathematical phenomenon
One cannot question the effect of
the extent of a patriot’s commitment and allegiance to his or her country to
that of an individual that is less of a patriot. Patriotism is in itself contractible
by the visible and invisible commitment of all individuals in a state to the
set beliefs, goals and objectives of the land which are manifested by the 5
words highlighted earlier, with the last word being the sole visible effect and
resultant effect of the 4 words before it which are all invisible.
Irrespective of the
aforementioned, I opine that a single missing word, ingredient in this vein,
would not yield an all-inclusive patriot but a half-baked because
mathematically, PA (Passion)
+ TR (Trust) + I (Innate-orientation) + O (Opportunities) + T (Transition) = Patriot
So as observed mathematically, a missing
component exposes one as a less-inclusive patriot.
PA + TR + I + O + T = Patriot: How patriotic are you?
In this section, all 5 words
highlighted would be closely looked at so as to discuss the variance in the
extent of patriotism by individuals across all nationalities.
PA (Passion). I see Passion as a very intriguing word that denotes
the innermost drive inherent in one which also doubles as a force to why one does
what one does the way one does it. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines
passion “as a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about
doing something”.
In the national circles, what
strengthens the passion of an individual towards his or her country are the diffused
opportunities in offering in the country, across all segments of individual
difference –ethnicity, tribe, economic status -.
These opportunities are well
detailed in the article “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A tool to achieving an
equitable State” http://taiwokehinde-mymind.blogspot.com/2014/02/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-tool-to.html
A country in which the basic
necessities of life – food clothing and shelter and much more – are not widespread
but reserved for a few, as if these few individuals are more of a citizen than
the others, would have the vast majority in deprivation truly being less
patriotic, as they would be driven to denounce their nationality to nations
with more opportunities at the slightest opportunity, with an environment that
would indeed help keep their dream alive leading to brain drain and a loss in a
good number of human resources that only if the country got it right, would
have driven a national across the board transition.
TR (Trust): As the governed, how well do you trust your
government and as part of the government (those privileged to call the shots)
and the government in general, how well have you gained the trust of your
people. Winning a re-election bid at the polls in a free and fair election
significantly speaks to how well the individual is trusted by the governed whom
widely trust his or her ability to deliver at a second attempt.
It is paramount to emphasize that
truth be told that the reason one is made President, Governor, Minister,
Commissioner or some other position to call the shots is simply because the word
trust is very critical in driving
patriotism in a given State or geographical entity.
I (Innate-orientation): What is innate is natural and cannot
be changed overnight but a hard nut to crack which only gets cracked by lots of
perseverance and tenacity when one is lucky. I believe that Innate and
orientation in this vein are inseparable, as ones orientation is most times innate
as a result of one’s culture, beliefs, environment and experience educationally.
In addition, according to Merriam
Webster dictionary, orientation is “a person's feelings, interests, and beliefs”.
Based on this, the connect between Innate and Orientation could be
drawn out, as beliefs are most times innate, built by the culture and
experience of individuals.
Opportunities: Opportunities available in a country or given
geographical location largely influence the contentment of its individuals and
their capability to play a major role in nation-building, whilst building in
them, a sense of belonging to the State in view.
On this note, the extent of
availability of these opportunities comprising education, infrastructural
facilities, social amenities and especially, a conscience driven government goes
a long way in influencing one’s patriotism status – all-inclusive or
less-inclusive –. A conscience driven government is included as an opportunity
because good governance is hard to come by especially in Africa, and when
provided, should be held on to with utmost affection and respect.
T (Transition): Transition simply entails a change from one
condition or state or level to another. Transition is a progressive change in
the level or state of an item or subject in view, resulting from a modification
in its initial or preceding state. Such modification is the resultant effect of
Passion, Trust, Innate-orientation and Opportunities which all define a Patriot. Transition is also
driven when the system in place –laws, rules, policies, as well government are prosperity
driven on the affairs of a country or given geographical entity.
As depicted in the opening image
to this article, in the words of Samuel
Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, a great American author and
humourist – “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government,
when it deserves it”.
A deep food for thought Mark
Twain’s words are which by all indication speak to why so many people love
their country but dislike their government. This entails that whatever state a
country is found in makes the government accountable and held responsible for such,
with its actions and decisions, closely scrutinised in driven the required
transition by the government in view and most importantly proceeding
governments...
These said, kindly challenge
yourself on these questions:
1. Are
you Patriotic? If on the affirmative, then…
2. How
Patriotic are you? If on the contrary, then…
3. What
can be done to influence your patriotism? If still on the negative, then…
4. Why
shouldn’t you be Patriotic?
5. Closely
analysing the government at all tiers in your country, are they all patriot?
