Although the manifestations of de Gaulle's word “hate” might not be glaringly obvious in real life, this sentiment serves to show that there is a marked difference between acting in the best interest of your country for your country, and acting in your own best interest under the pretense of supporting your country. This line between patriotism and nationalism oft grows fuzzy, and patriotism can morph into nationalism. However, a thorough look at great cities in the past, and now, reveals that some things transcend the importance of the colors of the people in your neighborhood, the color of the food you eat, and the color of your flag. Nationalism and patriotism have always, and will always, exist.
New York City has long been an icon representing the United States for its landmarks and personality. For many immigrants, New York City becomes more than an icon; it becomes a home. One such group of immigrants is the Puerto Ricans who move into the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The Sharks (the Puerto Ricans) spend their time verbally and physically battling with the Jets (the American gang). The impetus for the fighting is the differences between the communities. The Sharks would like a little street space for themselves, and for the Jets to keep hands off their girls and butts out of their business.
The Jets see the Sharks as cutting in on their territory, and their country. As race divides these communities, we are seeing nationalism at play. Both groups are living out the prejudices they have against each other under the pretense of patriotism, or of wanting to
preserve the purity of their own people. All of these people hide the fear they have of other people and the fear they have of change. This dislike for another overshadows the pride for one's own community; this prejudice and nationalism is poorly camouflaged as patriotism.
However, because nationalism exists does not mean that glimpses of true patriotism cannot show through. One of the key times this patriotism is expressed occurs when the Puerto Rican girls sing about America. Although the guys chime in with mockery, the girls hold to the notion that America has things to offer them that their former homeland cannot. Even amidst the fighting due to the differences in nationality and the chants to “stick to your own kind,” the Puerto Ricans are able to resurrect some pride and respect for the country in which they now live.
Flashing forward to the present New York City, patriotism and nationalism still make regular appearances. One of the most prominent displays of patriotism in the United States lies in the midst of the construction site where the World Trade Center towers used to stand tall. If you go visit this site, there is a small flag that sits in the mess of concrete and construction equipment. A small group's hate for the United States might have crumbled buildings, but it also served to galvanize the love for America that was silently residing in so many citizens.
This patriotism is simply reflected in that single flag, and more grandly reflected in the building next door. Within this building, there is a large memorial honoring not only those who died directly at the hands of the terrorists, but also of the American's who stepped forward and lost their lives to save others. Dying for your country and the people who make it so special is true patriotism.
Unfortunately, this disaster was also manipulated into a platform to hate for a small portion of the population. Rather than being driven by the love of their own country, some
Americans were driven by the hate they had for others. After the attack on the World Trade Center, hate crimes and prejudices arose against those who physically resembled the terrorists suspected of this atrocity. Killing out of fear is not patriotism. It is hiding behind misconstrued beliefs and fear, and doing it in the name of your country. This excessive patriotism and hate for others becomes nationalism.
Jetting back in time and across the Atlantic, one finds that patriotism and nationalism also find a home in Berlin, Germany. In the movie “M,” a child killer is on the loose and the police are at a loss to find the killer. More disappearances occur and are attributed to the same killer, and fear claws at the parents of the city's residents. Although at first we do see neighbors turn against each other, fearing the worst of each other, the narrative moves past that.
Instead, we begin to see parents banding together. A sense of community arises and is shared among neighbors as they realize they fear the same monster. Sharing a frightening experience with others bonds you to others, and this is expressed in comments the citizens make to each other. They speak of needing to protect all of the children from this monster terrorizing their city. Suddenly, you do not just watch out for your children, but all children. A strong sense of patriotism at the city level develops out of a common nightmare.
