Activists asked the meaning of patriotism. Heres one response of many: Rosemary Maguire Thompson, 61, is currently executive director of the P. Francis Murphy Initiative for Justice and Peace in Baltimore, and is passionate about ending human trafficking. Thompson lived and worked with the United Farm Workers, has worked with both Plowshares Jonah House and Viva House Catholic Worker, and spent two years as a Jesuit Volunteer Corps member. What is patriotism? By its very definition, patriotism calls for love and devotion to ones country. My love and devotion is to God and her creation. As a woman committed to Christian nonviolence, I find patriotism at odds with those values. My country is neither more precious nor less responsible than any other country. We are not exceptional. We are part of a whole. The wealth of the earth belongs to all. My core belief is Jesus commandment to love one another without exception. Sadly, patriotism has been the pretense for wars. It serves as an excuse for death and destruction. I cringe when displays of red, white and blue, the stars and stripes, are pulled out as a symbol of freedom because the American flag was disgraced the first time it was held as an image of triumph over others. I am in awe of the men and women who imagined a nation built on life, liberty and justice. I love the ideals of America. I love the grandeur and beauty of America, but the splendor is marred by shadows. We neglect the poor and vulnerable. The land bears the scars of strip mining, fracking and fallow fields. Are you patriotic? I was a child when heroes for justice were shot, imprisoned and discredited. I lost hope for my country the night Robert Kennedy was murdered. I have lived my life insisting on justice for all. Freedom demands accountability. Justice demands a conscience. My love of freedom is fierce and my desire for justice is deep. Does that make me patriotic? It should! ncronline.org/news/peace-justice/us-activists-answer-what-patriotism
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 12:26:17 +0000
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