A powerful urge

I'm an unconfirmed bachelor living in rented accommodations with my satellite TV stations and fat Mr. Collins. I seek his advice on many things-things that I know but want to reassure myself with in Mr.Collins 'authoritative tone. So I picked him up - he groaned in lexical pleasure as he does when he senses I'm about to open up to a rather interesting page.
Patriotism is desrived from the Roman-Greco, 'Pater', meaning father. As the root expands we get 'Patrial' a word referring to a person's rights of nationality by virtue of the birth of parents or grand parents. Patria (also Latin)' meant native land'. This love for the 'fatherland' and the means of its expression in time became to be referred as "patriotism". Mr. Collins, on page 1076 (My, how fat you are sir) describes 'Patriot' as 'a person who vigorously supports his country and its way of life". The next entry is of course, patriotism, which my cumbersome housemate calls" devotion to one's own country and concern for its defense". (Italics supplied … don't tell Collins) and adds rather disturbingly, see- Nationalism (!?)
The fact is, we have as much control over our patriotic feelings as we do over our sexual urges. This thing called country is a powerful magnet that come what may, remains embedded in our soul, ever ready to come marching out to defend land and country from perceived enemies.
Again, truth to tell, no one in their right minds would let a disparaging comment about Ethiopia pass unanswered. This truth is more evidont among the diespora who frequently butt heads with non-Ethiopians over some ‘witty’remark about say; Ethiopia’s past experiences with. In the final analysis, as long as patriotism does not become malignant and turn into nationalism, we should not have much to fear.
Nationalism is the flip side of an otherwise positive and wholly human emotion.

How patriotic should a citizen be?

Patriotism is not an ideology or belief like say, Capitalism or Confucianism. Instead, it is a wholly natural emotion that can do no harm. If our ancestors had not been patriotic we wouldn’t even have a country to call our own. I believe one should be as patriotic as possible!
Tegen-student

I say everything is best when done in moderation. Too little patriotism is as bad as too much. The dangers are many but to raise just a couple, in the first instance (too little), we risk physical domination or at the very least, cultural diffusion. If we are too patriotic, then we may become an aggressive country. The best form is to have a moderate and considerate view on how much you love your country.
Semahegn – writer

Patriotism is not compatible with the 21st century. By the way, patriotism is simply a cover for its other more simister synonym – Nationalism. It is the brutality of Hitler’s Germany which stignatized the term Nationalism. Let us not forget that the N in NAZI stands for nationalist – and we all know where that got us.

This world is fast becoming one global village. We must think wider and eradicate this primitive concept which has only brought bloodshed and delayed planetary union.

Blen – cartographer

Patriotism should not be seen as negative just because a relative few individuals abuse it for their own ends. True, too much nationalism is a serious danger but there is no way a person can be told to stop loving and defending their homeland. This is a basic human emotion – the warm link we have with the land we come from.

Alem – actor

Patriotism is devisive and not at all positive, especially for a country like Ethiopia. I see huge problems such as the question of where does patriotism start and end. I mean, are we patriotic to our actual areas of origin (regions, hamlets etc) or is it only for greater Ethiopia?
Bobo; designer

I always tear-up whenever (and that’s often!) an Ethiopian athlete wins yet another gold medal in long distance races. Where do these tears come from except from a well of patriotism somewhere deep in my soul? However, I don’t feel the same thrill when for example, I see bodies of enemy soldiers killed by our troops in former and current conflicts. We have to be selective about our patriotism.

Kifle-painter