Patriotism and the right to criticise

James Baldwin, an American writer, reflects the real meaning of patriotism well with his declaration that “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticise her perpetually”.

However, that criticism should not include damning her and nitpicking, and defaming her to gratify a personal grudge. Conversely, when my country does well, such as by landing a space craft on the surface of Mars, or my fellow citizens accumulate more Olympic medals than other countries, I feel warmness and proud in my heart that I am an American. Missing American movies or baseball games in Thailand plays no part in my patriotism.

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok