Nationalist or Patriot: Which Are You?
It’s only been a little over a month, and a lot has happened in the political world: the Midterm Elections,
the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I, the G-20 Summit, and now the death, funeral and
burial of the 41st President of the United States. To be perfectly honest, I started this writing at the end
of October, but life gets busy, and I have a difficult time going back to my writings. However, I feel
this is of a great importance to not let this go on the sidelines.
the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War I, the G-20 Summit, and now the death, funeral and
burial of the 41st President of the United States. To be perfectly honest, I started this writing at the end
of October, but life gets busy, and I have a difficult time going back to my writings. However, I feel
this is of a great importance to not let this go on the sidelines.
As many of you know, I am not a fan or even a respectful observer when it comes to Donald Trump,
who is now President of MY nation. I often call him buffoon or just 45, and for this writing it will be no
different. I mostly use “buffoon.” I can not let go of the fact that he used the word “Nationalist” at a
campaign rally in October. You may ask why does this matter to me? One reason would be that there
is a dangerous and frightening level of xenophobia (anti-immigrant) going on in our nation. Also,
racism, which is forever present, seems to make the bigots bolder. So it is interesting and alarming
that this buffoon would use this term. As a human rights activist, I can not let this go. Why should it
matter to you? Well, let’s take a look at the definition of “Nationalist,” shall we?
who is now President of MY nation. I often call him buffoon or just 45, and for this writing it will be no
different. I mostly use “buffoon.” I can not let go of the fact that he used the word “Nationalist” at a
campaign rally in October. You may ask why does this matter to me? One reason would be that there
is a dangerous and frightening level of xenophobia (anti-immigrant) going on in our nation. Also,
racism, which is forever present, seems to make the bigots bolder. So it is interesting and alarming
that this buffoon would use this term. As a human rights activist, I can not let this go. Why should it
matter to you? Well, let’s take a look at the definition of “Nationalist,” shall we?
According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, Nationalist is defined as: “a supporter of or believer in
nationalism.”
nationalism.”
Well, this makes the above definition a little incomplete, so let’s look up the word Nationalism.
Nationalism is defined as: “a feeling that people have of being loyal to and proud of their country
often with the belief that it is better and more important than other countries.”
often with the belief that it is better and more important than other countries.”
Surprising another definition of Nationalism is: “a desire by a large group of people (such as people
who share the same culture, history, language, etc.) to form a separate and independent nation of their
own.”
who share the same culture, history, language, etc.) to form a separate and independent nation of their
own.”
Three definitions, one way to interpret these words’ usage by, let’s say, the President of the United
States. He proudly called himself, a “Nationalist” at a rally in Texas for Senator Ted Cruz on October
22, 2018. (“Ted” Rafael Cruz won the election over Beto O’Rourke.) He declared, “most people think
it’s a bad word, but I am taking it back, I am a Nationalist.” Interesting term he decided to use at a rally.
Mind you, I think this man is a buffoon, but the use of this word seems calculated. Someone in his
administration or he continues to consult with probably convinced him that it was a good idea to use
the word “Nationalist”. Whether he knew it was a “dog whistle” to white nationalists is a question,
and we can only speculate the answer. I truly believe that this man has no ideology or belief system
in anything, which makes him vulnerable to any suggestion of persuasion. All one would have to do
is whisper in his ear continuously and say, “But the crowds will love and cheer for you even more!”
And the buffoon in the White House feeds off this and the crowds do love it. The “Nationalists” really
love him. There maybe a reason why many Americans view it as a “bad word,” but his thought process
seems to be stuck at a second grade level, a very low one at that, and I mean no offense to any
second graders, past or present.
States. He proudly called himself, a “Nationalist” at a rally in Texas for Senator Ted Cruz on October
22, 2018. (“Ted” Rafael Cruz won the election over Beto O’Rourke.) He declared, “most people think
it’s a bad word, but I am taking it back, I am a Nationalist.” Interesting term he decided to use at a rally.
Mind you, I think this man is a buffoon, but the use of this word seems calculated. Someone in his
administration or he continues to consult with probably convinced him that it was a good idea to use
the word “Nationalist”. Whether he knew it was a “dog whistle” to white nationalists is a question,
and we can only speculate the answer. I truly believe that this man has no ideology or belief system
in anything, which makes him vulnerable to any suggestion of persuasion. All one would have to do
is whisper in his ear continuously and say, “But the crowds will love and cheer for you even more!”
And the buffoon in the White House feeds off this and the crowds do love it. The “Nationalists” really
love him. There maybe a reason why many Americans view it as a “bad word,” but his thought process
seems to be stuck at a second grade level, a very low one at that, and I mean no offense to any
second graders, past or present.
When I hear the word “Nationalist” and imagine bigots, extremists, and usually they are white, male,
and heterosexual. Maybe I am wrong to stereotype because sometimes they are female. Images of
swastikas, shaved heads, or better yet, heads covered with white pointy sheets. The point is an
extremely negative images come to my head. Of course, now these same “alt-right” white “nationalist”
are dressing in suites and trying to appear more mainstream, but their message is the same. As
someone who is White and Latina, I would never be in a “Nationalist” nation. (And to my Trump-voting
siblings, neither would you.)
and heterosexual. Maybe I am wrong to stereotype because sometimes they are female. Images of
swastikas, shaved heads, or better yet, heads covered with white pointy sheets. The point is an
extremely negative images come to my head. Of course, now these same “alt-right” white “nationalist”
are dressing in suites and trying to appear more mainstream, but their message is the same. As
someone who is White and Latina, I would never be in a “Nationalist” nation. (And to my Trump-voting
siblings, neither would you.)
In my years of political study and observation, I rarely would hear the term used by other Americans.
Actually, in most nations, most do not use the word “Nationalist.” We like the word “Patriot” and
“Patriotism”. Our politicians like the words, “Patriot” and “Patriotism.” The deliberate choice of Donald
Trump using the word, “Nationalist” instead of “Patriot” could be a signal to the bigots or white
nationalists that this administration is open to racism and xenophobia, as if this administration’s
policies didn’t make that clear enough. Words have consequences. So what is the difference
between a “Nationalist” and “Patriot”?. First, let’s take a look at the definitions of “Patriot” and
“Patriotism” according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.
Actually, in most nations, most do not use the word “Nationalist.” We like the word “Patriot” and
“Patriotism”. Our politicians like the words, “Patriot” and “Patriotism.” The deliberate choice of Donald
Trump using the word, “Nationalist” instead of “Patriot” could be a signal to the bigots or white
nationalists that this administration is open to racism and xenophobia, as if this administration’s
policies didn’t make that clear enough. Words have consequences. So what is the difference
between a “Nationalist” and “Patriot”?. First, let’s take a look at the definitions of “Patriot” and
“Patriotism” according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary.
The definition of “Patriot” is, “a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country.”
The definition of “Patriotism” is, “love or devotion to one’s country.”
So “Patriot” is similar to “Nationalist”. Not quite. One particular word comes to mind when comparing
and contrasting the definitions. One word is in one definition and not the other: Love. Patriotism is a
love of country. Nationalism doesn’t contain this word. What does it mean to love your nation?
It means holding it accountable when it’s past and present actions are wrong. It means celebrating
when we did or do something right. It means our leaders should take their jobs representing us in all
levels of government seriously and with integrity. Part of this integrity is to use the right words for the
right times, with thoughtfulness and planning when giving speeches. When the buffoon used
“Nationalist” at a campaign rally, maybe he has no love of country, and neither did the people who
cheered him on. So ask yourself, which are you?
and contrasting the definitions. One word is in one definition and not the other: Love. Patriotism is a
love of country. Nationalism doesn’t contain this word. What does it mean to love your nation?
It means holding it accountable when it’s past and present actions are wrong. It means celebrating
when we did or do something right. It means our leaders should take their jobs representing us in all
levels of government seriously and with integrity. Part of this integrity is to use the right words for the
right times, with thoughtfulness and planning when giving speeches. When the buffoon used
“Nationalist” at a campaign rally, maybe he has no love of country, and neither did the people who
cheered him on. So ask yourself, which are you?
