Quote:
Originally Posted by tlgerdes
If we dont have a sense of patriotism and nationalistic pride, then tomorrow we will belong to some other county who does.
|
I understand where you're coming from … point taken ... ie: reality of the world as it is, as opposed to the world as we would want it to be.
(I actually prefer to live in the
real world, too).
However, patriotism can ultimately be a divisive quality as you have pointed out, leading towards confrontation, domination, racism and wars. I don't think this image is one which any diplomat representing a country's interests, (for example), ever intentionally projects (even if they
are dominant in some aspect).
Its just a point worthwhile thinking about … ie: things we prided ourselves on in Dorothea MacKellar's day, whilst inspirational at the time, (& motivational during crises in the present day), is to a certain degree, incompatible with achieving many of today's multicultural goals. (Even at a National level … the past displays of 'patriotism', have ultimately led to present-day apologies
)
I've always seen MacKellar's poem as tending to reinforce fatalism, driven solely by the environment … which I also think tends to be a little 'unpopular', thesedays.
Cheers