Jackson Free Press

I imagine different people have their own meaning of what the term "patriotic" really means. I believe it means "one who strongly supports and serves his or her country." Implicit and explicit in this definition is the will to fight to death, if necessary and warranted.

Patriotism is not tantamount to xenophobia (the dislike and/or fear of everyone or everybody unlike you) or jingoism (the support of any or everything we Americans do whether moral or immoral, merited or unmerited, noble or ignoble, justified or unjustified). I'm clearly patriotic and am in love with my country because I believe we're the greatest land of opportunity in the world. I also believe that I make or compel my country to improve its worldly status when I insist and demand justifications for its activities.

Needless to say, no country can gain world dominance and untold riches without having taken full advantage of the consequences and situations of other persons who are less able to fight or compete against them. The world is aware that our wonderful country, like many before it and likely like many after it, has committed some of the most horrendous and horrible acts known to mankind against other people. Yet, much of the world also knows that we can be some of the most caring, generous, loving and forgiving people in the world.

It's a difficult task to balance the heart with one's great might. On one hand, we want to assist and improve the whole world. On the other, we want our enemies and detractors to fear the consequences of attacking and/or trying to harm us. This is not a new dilemma for mankind. This battle has been fought and lost throughout the ages of mankind without much improvement, many would argue. You may not listen to me, but I would aver that we should consult the Great Almighty constantly about how to balance these competing forces.

Some Americans say they can't be patriotic because our system of capitalism, the foundation of our democracy, is nothing more than a sophisticated scheme for "the survival of the fittest." Admittedly, this argument has caused me some considerable consternation and doubt about whether the so-called American Dream is a dream or simply a hoax. Despite this argument, I have personally seen countless examples of legitimate growth or change from rags to riches, and everything in between.

Thus, I'm left with the conclusion that we, the United States of America, are worth loving and fighting for. I think this makes me patriotic.
Ray Carter is a 1978 Tougaloo graduate and attorney who defends prisoners on Death Row.