“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.” — RBG
The Fourth of July. Independence Day. This was one of my absolute favorite holidays. We have a huge cookout with homemade ice cream and the best chocolate cake possible. We get to pop fireworks and enjoy time with the family. These memories are when I was proud to say I’m American.
In recent years, however, that feeling has become harder to hold onto. What once felt like easy patriotism now feels overshadowed by something far more divisive: nationalism. And to understand why that shift matters, we have to look closely at the difference between the two.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), patriotism is defined as “the quality of being patriotic; love of or devotion to one’s country” (“Patriotism,” def. 1); whereas nationalism is defined as “advocacy of or support for the interests of one’s own nation, esp. to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations. Also: advocacy of or support for national independence or self-determination” (“nationalism,” def. 1.a). In other words, patriotism is just showing love for your country and wanting to make your country a better place. Still, nationalism ONLY supports the best interest of your country while excluding others or supporting your country so much that you insist that the country needs to separate from others.
The distinction between the two is crucial because patriotism is rooted in love — a true desire to better our country. Nationalism is rooted in dominance … exclusion. It is incredibly painful to see it in the US.
I honestly believe that we are fortunate to live in a place that was based on religious freedom. However, the separation of church and state is degrading and openly disregarded, as we see in Texas. Our foundational belief of the separation of church and state has become an afterthought.
Our nation feels hostile instead of the symbol of hope we were told it is. The government is not protecting rights. It is destroying them.
A blatant example of this presides in Texas, where public schools will have to teach Biblical stories. While the stories themselves aren’t inherently bad, mandating them is indoctrination. Many students and teachers are not Christian or the same brand of Christian. Would a person really be happy if a story they believe in is taught with a blasé attitude? Which denomination’s version is considered the gold standard?
The consequences of this reach far beyond religious beliefs, as students will be less prepared with the foundational texts as they enter higher education.
At this point, the line between church and state is not just blurred but being erased. I don’t want any religion within the state, just as I don’t want the state in my religion.
The continuous erosion of democracy has taken my patriotism and buried it. I once made flag pins for people to wear, and now, I worry that if I wear something red, white, and blue, I will be seen as part of the nationalists.
We can’t sit here and pretend that everything is okay. Even so, I will celebrate my family traditions so I can make memories with those I love. I refuse to celebrate nationalist ideals. I celebrate love and hope.
I refuse to accept that this reality is normal. I feel as though we are living in a dystopian nightmare. I hope that one day, the nationalists will be able to acknowledge the harm of this era when history is not only being recorded by the victors— but by those who are suffering and losing.
Works Cited
“Patriotism, N.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, March 2026, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/2896261957.
“Nationalism, N., Sense 4.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, December 2024, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/1877170289.