Is wearing a hat or waving a flag enough to make you a true American patriot? Who do you picture when you think of a true patriot? Those who instantly come to mind might be a military member, a politician, or someone who believes they are standing up for what is right. I’m here to tell you that there is more to the essence of a patriot than you might originally think and that the title of a patriot is only to be given when certain criteria are met. To understand what may constitute true patriotism, we first need to define its close cousin, nationalism. Before we get deeper into the topic, let’s set the definition of nationalism. Nationalism is an ideology that uplifts one nation or nationality above all and strongly emphasizes the culture and interests of that nation or nationality. With this definition in mind, we can now explore why nationalism is crucial to being a patriot.

You might be asking yourself why the concept of nationalism is so important to the title of patriot. The central reason I say this is because true patriotism involves prioritizing your community above all else. This means the people of your country, community, household, and those you commonly interact with daily should come before anyone else. This belief is vital to obtaining patriot status, given that if your community doesn’t come first, what does? 

To illustrate this concept, let’s look at an important historical example of true patriotism. The date is June 6^th, 1944, and you are heading towards Omaha Beach in northern France on a barge. You have no idea of what you’re about to see, hear, or endure once the ramp lowers. All that is known is that you have brothers beside you, and everyone is ready to risk their lives not only for each other but for the entire community that is backing them. The ramp hits the water, but you are not met with a summer vacation but with heavy German gunfire. You rush out of the barge with the rest of your platoon and start making your way to the sandy beaches that are ahead. You make it to the beach and look behind you at all your brothers laying face first in the British canal. You are thankful that you didn’t get killed in the onslaught, but feel a sense of vigor due to the sacrifice of the brave patriots.

Their act of valor is not what gave them the title of patriot, but it didn’t hinder it. What awarded them the coveted distinction is putting their lives on the line for those that are around them, which would also allow the community at home to succeed from their grave sacrifice. The patriots that invaded Omaha Beach on D-Day were not there to get licks and followers but to give their community and culture the security they deserved.

Let’s now turn our attention to events that happened around 150 years before D-Day and one of the most influential patriots during that discourse. Alexander Hamilton stands as a prime example of patriotism, contributing significantly to both the American Revolution against British rule and the subsequent formation of a nation that would shape global history. Hamilton dedicated his adult life to the betterment of his community. He embarked on his patriotic journey, by enlisting in a voluntary militia, to resist British forces. Subsequently, he was instrumental in drafting the American Constitution. This foundational document encountered resistance from some members of the community, yet Hamilton believed it would better serve American culture than any alternatives. To explain his vision for America, he co-authored the Federalist Papers. Upon its adoption as the supreme law of the land, Hamilton served as the first Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. Ultimately, Hamilton met his demise in a duel with Aaron Burr, but his legacy as both a patriot and a founding father of the modern world lives on.

Hamilton undoubtedly earned the rank of patriot. He not only risked his life to better his culture but also had a drive to build a system of government that would remain after the founders were gone. His service to his community and his unwavering loyalty to the American people should serve as a doctrine of how the status of a patriot is earned.

However, the term “patriot” is often misapplied in contemporary discussions. The past few ideas of what a patriot looks like are extreme cases. Any human in American society can earn the coveted title. It takes someone who has sold into the American way of life and will stand up for the culture and society that was built upon it. It takes more than a vote, a hat, or displaying a flag that will make you be seen as a patriot. The doctrine surpasses those actions. So, next time you see someone claiming to be a patriot, ask them what they truly believe in. If they are not willing to fight against what undermines American culture and society, then they will never be able to become a patriot.

Bringing this discussion into the present day, we see the accolade of patriot given out to anyone who votes for Donald Trump in 2024. You should identify this and scoff. The Trump campaign does indeed hold values that mention nationalistic ideals. When you dig deeper into what the Trump Campaign is running on, it also doesn’t keep these values high enough to award either Trump or his voters as patriots. The primary reason to question this is the focus of Trump’s 2024 campaign on ideals which include mass legal immigration, the inclusion of every single racial and ethnic group, and the push for the backing of Israel. We can see that this mentality is directly against the central beliefs of nationalism and that anyone who is an only Trumper cannot then be labeled as a patriot. I will concede that many patriots voted for Donald J. Trump, but the mindset that voting for him instantaneously gains you the coveted title is nonsensical.

In conclusion, patriotism is a title that must be earned through actions and beliefs that align with the upliftment of one’s people and culture. Many Americans aspire to be recognized as patriots, but few truly embody this title. Patriotism isn’t claimed, it’s earned through belief and lifelong commitment. A lifelong commitment to culture, society, and their people. We can use this interpretation to push awareness of the deceivers and award sincere acts and beliefs that uphold the central belief of nationalism and the uplifting of their people and culture. From here on out, whenever someone claims to be an American patriot, test them to see what their doctrine is that they subscribe to. If it is not that of a nationalistic foundation, challenge them to clarify how their views support America’s cultural backbone. So don’t just wear the hat and wave the flag, call out the fakers to help spread the ideas of nationalism and challenge those who do not. Always remember America first, for Americans by Americans.