Patriotism isn't part of my vocabulary. You know, there are words that have a certain color because they resemble you, some haven't.I was amazed to see so many American flags in front of people's houses when I went to the US. I understood that the expression of a strong feeling towards ones country has something to do with the sense of community, the need to feel related to something bigger than ourselves, a territory inside which we can feel secure.
I guess it's the secret reason of patriotism, what hides this pride. And I understand it even more when I think of how new and powerful America is compared to old European countries. Belonging to a nation like this one certainly helps feeling stronger and most of all it makes people feel reassured about their identity.
It seems to define them.
But my country is what less defines me. Frontiers are decided by governments. Values and culture are created by people, carried with them wherever they go. That's what I'm inspired by, visions of life. That is beyond any borders, any land.
I don't know about patriotism but I believe in humanism.
