Overcoming Patriotism

I want to share with you the letter I wrote that was published (online and paper) by the Boston Globe today (July 26, 2026). I reprinted it below in case a link would not work. The heading was supplied by the Globe editor. The letter was one of two letters that the Globe published under the heading, "Rethinking patriotism in 2026."

Divisive concept places too much emphasis on boundaries and differences

Re “On this 250th anniversary of America, how should a liberal feel about her country?” (Ideas, July 19): Perhaps we should give up the idea of patriotism. It is a divisive concept suggesting that either you are patriotic — according to the beholder’s view of it — or you are not. If you are not, then maybe you do not belong. This can be a source of hatred against those who do not agree with you.

Patriotism is also nationalistic, for it suggests that one person’s country is better than another’s. That idea is a source of anti-immigrant sentiment and of thinking less of people living in another country.

Instead of patriotism, let us consider thinking in terms of a world community that is independent of particular nations or governments. The idea of human equality is not limited to those within any particular nation; rather, it applies to everyone worldwide.

Patriotism places too much emphasis on national boundaries, for it is those boundaries that help enable wars and the dehumanization of people living elsewhere.

Patriotism also leads to disrespect of those who disagree with you about what patriotism is.

John L. Hodge

Jamaica Plain