Colin's Last Stand, Episode 16: The Bastardization of Nationalism

I am totally for pride in county, religion, identity. Nationalism is a necessary to protect the people and things you love. If this wonderful country of ours is going in the wrong direction we take pride to vote in better leaders. People in this country are proud of what cities they originate from, supporting beers, food, sports teams which are unique to the area they represent. All of us should be proud of what the generations before us have built and better pay attention to the fact there are people in this world who would like that to go away. "They" want a global society not in the way of visiting, getting education by studying abroad, learning how others live but "They" want open boards, the break down of what was built here. I am not even sure who "they"are but recent trends show a push for globalization, one currency open boarders. I along with many proud Americans will stand up to this looming threat. I enjoy all of your videos keep up the fantastic work!

JoTu 22

I'm definitely proud to be British but I'm also fully prepared for British culture to slowly make its way into the history books as the globe assimilates. There's something just as good as new culture forming from assimilation as there is an older culture that has been around for a long time.

Cayne McIver

I liked this video a lot, but I still cannot relate to feeling pride for someone else's actions. I find it very weird that pride is so endemic to feeling like a citizen of a given country. You showed pictures of a bunch of American corporations when talking about how America has become a dominant force in the world, but I feel no pride for Microsoft, or Apple, or Google. I haven't worked at any of those places, I'm not Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, or anyone responsible for their success, and as such I don't feel "proud" of what they've done. Sure they've done great things and had huge success, but not in any part due to me. At most, I'm just a consumer of their products, which I could be from any country, and it certainly doesn't give me any sense of loyalty or pride when I purchase a Microsoft product. The same feeling applies to the country as a whole, in my view. I'm not one of the founding fathers, I've never been a politician who is in a position to actually change something, and as such, I don't feel a sense of ownership or pride over our laws and customs. Sure, I want the best for my country, because that impacts me, but to say I'm proud of all these things that I didn't impact in any way feels disingenuous to me. I don't know, maybe I'm just more focused on the individual, but I've never understood that feeling. It reminds me of in middle school for example, working on a group project. I'm proud of the part I made, sure, but the whole was created by more than just me, so I only feel pride for the part I did. I would be very upset if in a situation like that, where say I did all the work, but had a partner who did very little to nothing, and they said they were proud of our final product because that would be them taking credit for work they didn't do and I did. I think that sufficiently explains my mentality, at least. Hopefully, someone can help me understand where this weird sense of pride to me.

I hope to see a resurgence of pride in what this country has done. It has been a beacon of light for people all over the world and that is why so many want to come here. Yes we have some history that isn't too be proud of but over all America has stood tall, has defended and protected basic human rights. This needs to be remembered and cherished.

The key point is that we did it with the help of other people. Alone, we wouldn't of stood a chance. I also think its important to note we're not infallible, no nation is. What's important is the ability to understand it, learn from it an move on. To your last point, I prefer "but we gave you The Beatles" :)

Russell Garrett

We saved the world 70 years ago! Forgiveness has been bought!

Ian Andrews

I hate it when Brits bring up "we did do some bad stuff"

Ian Andrews

I can't imagine not being a proud British person. I'm careful about my choice of word being "British", not "English". The United Kingdom is a fantastic example of mutual growth through unity. So much of our culture is so deeply influenced by what we learnt sailing around the world. The rise of some of the more extreme nationalism we're seeing here at the moment saddens me greatly. To be closed minded and to hate without logic is fundamentally anti British. I'm aware we're responsible for some pretty heinous shit historically but if we're talking proliferation of culture and values in general then the British influence upon the world cannot be understated - and for that I'll always be proud.

Russell Garrett

I think they go hand-in-hand, but fair point.

Colin Moriarty

Irish Bostonians. I know your people well. =)

Colin Moriarty

I agree completely.

Prince Borutski

I've not seen it, but I will surely take a look.

Colin Moriarty

I'd go as far as to say that the coming immigrant has a duty to leave a little piece of themselves and their own cultural DNA in the greater tapestry, just as so many have for so many hundreds of years. The beauty of immigrant-heavy countries like the US and Canada is how immigration has so overtly morphed the countries in positive ways. We have to keep it positive, which is why I agree it's a two way street.

Colin Moriarty

Bravo, and well said! I think you made plenty of salient points there; particularly about so-called "off the boat" immigrants (is that an offensive term? I dunno) showing so much pride in America. I've found this, too, particularly with fresh Eastern European and Southeast Asian immigrants, who seem to be so grateful to be here, and eager and excited to integrate themselves into society. Thank you for posting. Keep on doing it!

Colin Moriarty

Have always been patriotic. Lived in DC for 3 months a few years ago. Made me even more patriotic, seeing the monuments, memorials, and buildings. It saddens me to hear those who don't see any pride in being American, but that's their choice.

Zack E

Thank you for your service and for your bravery.

Colin Moriarty

Good point! I think my mom's the world's greatest cook. Is that true? Of course not. But for me, in my world and in my reality, no one is better.

Colin Moriarty

Very well said. I like how you identified sports as a binding agent, particularly because it's true in the United States true. Many people here are becoming increasingly distressed about the politicization of sports, and how that was the last bastion of escape from the nonsense. When I go to a Jets or Islanders game, I know I'm surrounded by all types of people from all walks of life, and I think that's awesome.

Colin Moriarty

Amen.

Colin Moriarty

We are 320 million people. It's death by... well... 320 million cuts. Few people have major influence; it's the confluence of all of our small bursts of influence that really matter!

Colin Moriarty

That's fair enough. You're a rugged individualist. There's nothing more American than that. =)

Colin Moriarty

Thank you! I thought the pictures would make some people chuckle. I especially liked the Augustus Gloop shot. =)

Colin Moriarty

=)

Colin Moriarty

That's so strange. Is it because of Wisconsin's dairy industry?

Colin Moriarty

Thank you for your insight. I'd say Australia's youth could play a role, sure. But I wonder, do other Australians feel as you do?

Colin Moriarty

Well, there's an element of truth in what you're saying pertaining to the subject matter of the video. Wherein our globalized society has become much closer, so too has the amalgamations that have come to that closeness become more robust. The question is, should a country take pride in what it does better than others? I say yes. Of course. Even if that's totally subjective. What I see as positive -- such as honor in Japan -- others can see as old-fashioned, or even stifling.

Colin Moriarty

Patriotism means supporting one's country because you love it. That's well and good. Nationalism means a pride in your country because you think it does things better in certain (or, if you're extreme, in all) ways. That's why I used the example of Japan, a country that clearly does things better than western countries in some ways, or Mexico, another country that clearly does things better in some ways, or America, and on and on and on. I wanted to spin nationalism, therefore, as something understandable, positive, and instructive to all. And that by combining the best of all nations, we can create something better. I hope that makes sense.

Colin Moriarty

Great Video! I'd argue our success is not because of diversity. Our success is because of capitalism and freedoms. Diversity is a beneficiary of that system. While we've long since abandoned a pure capitalism, we still operate the closest to one in the world.

Chris Holtzer

I think as individuals yes there is no way to say that one person is better than another, no matter where they are living in the world. However, I do believe that we as a country are better than some other countries in the world. We are given many freedoms and rights that are not given in other countries and are able to live our lives to a higher potential than some people in other countries that do not have the same freedoms that we do. Therefore I think as a country, we can sometimes say we are better than other countries because of the freedoms that are given to us.

I'm a Boston born American that comes from a very proud (and loud) Irish family. Newest member is my 7 month old son Killian, big fan by the way. Being from Boston I take serious pride in both my Nation (and state - Yankees suck) and my Irish heritage. With that being said my best friend is a first generation Boston born American that comes from a very proud (also loud) Brazilian family. Ive celebrated occasions with his family and him with mine. They introduced me to my favorite cocktail the Brazilian Caipirinha (try it). Every year we get together for our annual 4th of July camping trip out here in real America and celebrate our National pride by doing none other than setting shit on fire and blowing things up at a campground. However not only do we celebrate our similarities and share our cultures with one another we also love to celebrate our differences. Say when Conor McGregor fought Jose Aldo. We'll chant and jeer at each other all the time because we love each other and its exactly all of those interactions that make our relationship so strong. I can't honestly think of it being any other way. I'm blessed to have him and his families influence in my life and I know he feels the same. I simply can't imagine feeling any other way. Its what makes this country the great melting pot it is.

Chad Lewis

Colin, Have you read the news story about the Government ignoring the FISA courts and in extension their own rules and continuing to spy on us potentially violating the 4th amendment rights of 1000 of Americans. I've only seen it on Reuters and right leaning news sights. Have yet to see it on left leaning news sights cause it only mentions it happened under the Obama administration but cmon we know it's still happening. I think it's worth a mention.

Tom Koch

My ideas about ritual and identity have been influenced by my reading of this philosophy paper, among others: Russon, J. (1995). Heidegger, Hegel, and ethnicity: The ritual basis of self-identity. The Southern Journal of Philosophy, 33(4), 509-532.

Prince Borutski

I am proud of my country, Canada. I believe that the nationalism that Colin describes is necessary. Within our communities, we create our identities through the habits and rituals that we share with those around us. These identities are not static. As a place becomes more culturally diverse, it is important for all people in that region to attempt to recognize, understand, and reconcile each other's cultures. It is in that way that we can come to enjoy a mix of the positive elements of many cultures. Like Colin says, assimilation is important. In my opinion, however, it is not a one way conversion. As an immigrant comes to know a new culture, it is beneficial for the citizens of that other culture to recognize and understand the rituals that make up the immigrant's identity. In this way, we can gain an appreciation for new music, food, and ideas that may enrich our lives. When diverse peoples interact within a country, they necessarily shape each other in a kind of mutual assimilation. This is how each of our countries developed a unique culture that we are all proud of.

Prince Borutski

Why do you believe that a federal union is necessary for Europe? Just curious.

Zack E

I am what you would call a European American mut. I'm part Irish part Italian part French part German part dutch part Greek etc etc! On my fathers side my family came over in the 1600s. In fact my great great great great great great great grandfather is Roger Williams, who was the founder of Rhode Island and a very influential man in the beginning stages of this wonderful country. On my mothers side my great grandparents came over into America from Sicily in 1917. I say all that to say that I have a very broad background filled with many different cultures. But if anyone asked me what I am my response would always be that I am American. I think all of Colin's points are right on. It's wonderful and beautiful to share different aspects of different cultures and to learn and grow and evolve together. I think they're absolutely fundamental values that make us American! Part of those fundamental values is the distinct diversity that we share. Even in the founding of our country and the war we fought to win our country,, the backgrounds of us all was very wide reaching. I think Colin's point about the wall is something that some people could take incredibly offensively, but I don't think it's fair to it all. He is absolutely right, if somebody wanted to say that I want to build a wall because I hate Mexicans or anyone from any nation for that matter and I don't want them to come into this nation, that's absolutely racist. However if you're concerned that our nation is losing its identity and are afraid that the security and the identity of the nation can be lost if we aren't careful, that makes complete sense. Europe is a great example of this. We should absolutely allow people to come into our nation with open arms, however it's not wrong to also ask for them to be a part of the culture and learn the language and be involved. And on the other end, the things that those people can bring to us from their culture can help our nation in wonderful ways as well! I'm currently in a wonderful relationship with a beautiful young woman who is half Colombian and half Puerto Rican. I grew up in the inner city surrounded by cultures of all different kinds and I'm very comfortable and happy around so many different types of people. I absolutely love my girlfriend! And her parents are wonderful! The great thing that both of them did, because both of them were born outside of the country, is that they learned the language and found pride in America as they became Americans. And they instilled it on their kids(my girlfriend cries when the national anthem is sung) Many of the things that they do is through the lens of the culture that they brought with them. But also many of the things they do are very much American in nature. Her father has multiple degrees from American universities, and her mother has One as well. Her mothers grammar isn't always perfect, and it's good for some fun laughs every once I a while! She teaches children with special needs and is a wonderful person. I took Spanish in high school and in college, but obviously like most of us, I didn't really attain that much. But now that I'm in a relationship with my wonderful girlfriend I'm learning the laungage and plan to be fluent eventually and we want bilingual children! My girlfriend just finished college to be an early childhood teacher and I'm finishing my degree one HR very soon. I just wanted to share some of my story, I know I rambled a bunch sorry about that haha! But my underline point is that diversity is a Beautiful thing. And I believe that a balance in diversity and a natural growth together is one of the things that makes America America! I think that we SHOULD all share one language. We SHOULD all share in American cultures. We SHOULD all strive to share similar goals and hopes and plans for our nation. But that absolutely doesn't mean we can't have diversity and learn from all our wonderful cultures and backgrounds together! We should be able to listen to salsa music while watching American football on our Japanese made televisions while eating Italian lasagna! That's America right there!

Hey Colin and all us fellow thinkers and learners! This is the first time I've posted any type of comment here on patreon,, but I really love this discussion and I'm passionate about a lot of it and wanted to share my thoughts!

As a Combat Veteran, I am proud to be an American. I am willing to die in her defense, so as to protect my fellow countrymen and our way of life against those who've sworn to destroy it. In these times of increasing terror acts, it's important not to lose sight on what is worth protecting (or being proud of).

four24twenty

I'm from Québec, Canada. My family lineage is french. I consider myself Quebecois first then Canadians. I'm proud of my origin and my country. If we had the separation votes now I would be on the "do not separate" side. Just like you say Colin i personally think my own country is the greatest one. And it's normal. Just like the best cook is my mom. Every opinions are subjectives. Except the cook part she's the best. Hehe great video as always. I've been forwarding some of your videos to my dad (71), he's enjoying them.

GrisWold Diablo

Just watched the video and I have always felt this way too. I am a proud Englishman with family in Scotland, Walea and Ireland. I grew up and live in the midlands, in a city called Leicester. Leicester is famously multi-cultural city and growing up I was at school with Sikhs, Muslims, Catholics, Indian, White, and Black. Not many chinese or other Asian, but you get the point. I was never forced into an ideology by my parents and found the differences in my friends who wore turbans, or went off for prayers at lunchtime interesting. At the same time, we all cared about how England did as a football team, or what happened in the Rugby or Cricket. Sport has that great nationalistic unification. We had our differences but we were all English, we all cared about Queen and Country. This should be the ideal we strive for, respect, tolerance and understanding but not dilution of national culture. It would be very sad and very dull if it all became one grey, bland uniform world. We enrich each other, but we have to be respectful of each other too, with intelligence and understanding.

I think you hit the nail on the head that we need to understand the difference between extremist nationalism and typical nationalism. As long as we don't force our ideals on others (a poor practice in general) there should be nothing wrong with our ideals in a vacuum. Generally speaking of course; there are some outliers that cross the line...

Ryan Berry

I'm almost obsessed with the idea we need to build a federal union here in Europe and I try to stay away from any nationalist instict but at the end of the day, beign honest with myself, I am kinda proud of beign italian. I don't think we are the greatest country in the world, we are very much flawed in many ways, our government works pretty bad and corruption is a huge issue, but when it comes to arts and nature I'm always glad to be from the country that gave birth to Dante Aligheri. At the same time I'm very proud of beign from a continent that managed to bury the hatchet after centuries of war. In the end I think the world will eventually become more and more similar, many traditions and cultures will fade out, the extent of cultural loss the human race will face (and has already faced) is massive but new thing will be born, new cultures, new traditions which will contain even the smallest percentage of what old nations once were. Unfortunatly things have to fall apart for new ones to come. And it's sad, such losses are always sad. Just to bring up what I like the most about this national feeling I usually push away, I always like to talk about this episode in Dante's Commedia. At some point in Pugatory his guide Virgilio comes across a fellow citizen of his (Italy was not a unified state at that time) and he is surprised and happy to see a familiar face among these very different encounters. So nationality becomes something to rally around, even for strangers. I think of that as the best aspect of good and sane nationalism.

GabrieleEU

I find National Pride a little weird, because I have had zero impact on where the US has gone or is going (at least right now). Am I proud of many things the country has led the world in? I... Guess... But again, to me pride comes from a very personal space, and my American heritage has nothing to do with that. It's a great place to live, though.

Tyler

I don't think I'm even sure what it means to be "proud" of something outside of myself. Maybe I'm just the product of a self absorbed generation and therefore cannot imagine what it would mean but... To acknowledge the strengths of another thing doesn't quite seem to be the same as "taking pride in it." I try to be sure I conduct myself in a way that is honorable, in that way I'm proud of who I am, and I am an American. But that still seems to have more to do with how I've conducted my life from the seeds America provided that it has to do strictly with the nature of those seeds...

Love your sense of humor used subtly in the pictures throughout the video. Hell yeah, I am a proud American, and I completely agree that we should be able to say that without it coming off as offensive. I don't believe that as a universal society, we should move towards considering ourselves as planetary citizens instead of from each nation. When you step outside of western-European culture, there isn't nearly as much common ground between cultures, which is a great thing! Cultural differences promotes debate and free thought between each other, and I would much rather live in a world like that.

Walker Dimon

I love being an American but I think we've gone too far on American Pride. We live in a world today where our cultures are becoming a melting pot. While we have a right to be proud of where we are from we need to realize we are no better than anyone else in the world.

Joey Finelli

"Two balls, no script" Colin, is a beautiful thing.

Jeremy Meyer

Wisconsin, where I live, is the new postergirl of "nationalism." They recently started enforcing an old 1953 state law, in order to ban the sale of Irish butter. Kerrygold, to my taste, is the best butter in the world. The wife and I have been buying gold bricks for years. And now it's gone. "Anyone convicted of selling ungraded butter is subject to a fine of $1,000 and six months in jail." Wisconsin is the only state with a butter law and a contempt for individual choice. So now it's lawsuit time. People for quality butter, backed by a conservative legal group, The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, have to win back our right for personal freedom in court. 2017. Scott Walker. Republican controlled legislature. This party stands for nothing.

Jeremy Meyer

Hey Colin, this is something I have struggled with. I am an Aussie, I love Australia but I would not say that I am proud of Australia. I have never felt a connection apart from my family back there. I actually feel guilty about not feeling proud about it. I have spent a year in the US and have been in the UK the past 3 years and can not imagine myself living back in Aus. I agree that nationalism has a negative connotation today (undeserving for sure) but I feel my problem is that Australia is so young as a country that it does not have a strong national identity. The Indigenous people of my homeland would feel quite differently to me I am sure. Just though I would share my life experience and offer a different perspective

Tristan

I see Nationalism as a positive force to a fault. I have always seen Nationalism as pride not only in country but especially in that country's culture. But culture is living and breathing. It is constantly changing as it reflects the values and people that make it up. Culture changes as the make up of the populace changes but there is always backlash against that. I'm rambling at this point. My main point is this Nationalism is a positive force that is perfectly okay but as the world becomes more and more economically intertwined so do our cultures. This is not a bad thing as nationalism and globalism can coexist but nationalism only becomes harmful when those that are preaching it are advocating for the cultures they are so proud of to stop evolving.

Matthew Kohlman

Colin, I largely agree with your opinions here, but I feel like you could have equivalently been describing patriotism the whole video. What exactly is the difference, in your opinion? Why has nationalism come to be associated so negatively while patriotism seems to be a relatively clean word?

Drew Packard