On patriotism and being an American

I don't think I have ever in my adult life thought of myself as a "patriot." I have associated the word with poor education, "country bumpkinness," militarism, Republicanism, and a lack of critical thinking skills, among other things. I think the word has also become strangely connected in my mind to Walmart, hamburgers and other fast food, fireworks, Chevrolet trucks, and a mishmash of other American entities or institutions.

These are not things with which I generally associate myself.

Up until a year ago, I didn't think of myself as particularly "American," either. But now, after having spent a year in another country, I have come to recognize the "Americanness" in myself. I may hate Walmart as an entity, and I may hate shopping in Walmart stores, but I like and am used to the convenience they provide. I think I have a right to see a list of ingredients in any food I order at a restaurant. I think every town should have a yoga studio and a microbrewery (or should be within an hour's drive of a yoga studio and a microbrewery). I love grilling and eating grilled food. I like getting soy milk in my coffee. I resent governments imposing religious practices on their people, but I expect them to have laws that protect the minorities in their societies. Social hierarchies make me nervous. Etc. Etc.

In short, I have discovered that I am, incurably, an American.

Getting in touch with my "Americanness" made me realize that there are some things about the United States of which I actually am proud, and that led me to realize that such pride could be a form of patriotism. Boy, has that come as a bit of a shock to me!

I knew that living overseas would change me, but I hadn't thought much about how it would help me get in touch with the parts of myself that aren't likely to change. Before I came to Morocco, there was a part of me that thought maybe I would feel like I fit in better here, since I never entirely felt like I fit in when I was in my home country. At least when comparing the two countries of Morocco and the United States, the latter is where I can be more myself.