Patriotism

Americans have received the stereotype of begin very patriotic compared to any other nationality. Patriotism is seen in our culture almost every day, commercials, at sporting events, schools, and almost any public place. There is nothing wrong with patriotism, but why is it that the United States seems to have higher amounts of patriotism compared to other countries around the world.

Patriotism is being proud of ones country and proud of being citizen, and that is clear to see in the United States that feeling is widespread. When Comparing the United States, to lets say France, it can be said that United States overall celebrates its nationality more than France. Nations can be united by many things like common, ethnicity, religion, language, history, and ideals, and looking at that list the United States at most has history and ideals, down, while a country like France has more on that list. The United States has many different races, religions, and languages mixed into it, it would be impossible to unite under these banners. There is no official language in the United States, even would like there to be. Many Americans can get behind a common history of immigrating to the States and believing in freedom and democracy.  But if you look at France they have more things to unite under. Most French citizens have had that citizenship passed down from their parents, who had it passed down from their parents and so on. For many years France has followed the Catholic church and French, to no surprise it the official language of France.

Since many Americans can't unite under race, language, or religion, that leaves national pride and patriotism is the force to unite under. There is no American ethnicity, all Americans can trace their ancestry from a different nation, whether it be American Indian tribe, from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they all come some other nation. Comparing it to France, most French can trace their ancestry to France and at most Europe as a whole.

Another thing I have noticed when it comes to national pride in the United States is the act of becoming a citizen. Becoming an American citizen is in my opinion a highly celebrated act, parties are held, tears are shed, and they want to share that they are now a citizen of the United States of America. My Grandmother became a citizen years ago and when she was done, she cried because now she was a citizen.

Americans' national pride is the one thing that keeps the nation together, and it doesn't matter if your part black, white, or Asian, you are full American.