How much do you love your country?

Recently I overhead two people talking over lunch about Patriotism. Though I'm never a supporter of racism and believes all humans are equal beneath the Almighty God, I was astonished and curious of how each ethnicity defines patriotism. The two gentleman, which belongs to the Malay race were saying how much they love Malaysia because of three criteria; 1) They hang out the National Flag the weeks running to our Merdeka Day(Independence Day). 2) They all support the National Football Team. 3) They are willing to die for their country. Well ol'Jon only agrees to the 3rd point as the other 2 points seems to be superficial to me. You're not a patriot by just hanging the National Flag and certainly it doesn't make sense to support your National Football Team if they're in shambles. The right to criticise and be different does not seems apparent to these gentlemen.

Curious, I then talked to 2 Chinese in my workplace. Apparently to the Chinese(mostly anyway) the term Patriotism is defined as below; 1) Paying your taxes 2) Does not break the law 3) Willing to sacrifice for your country(monetary, effort and even ones life). Again, ol'Jon is a bit appalled that ol'Jon only agree to the 3rd point. Well, you pay taxes because of this country needs your contribution. You do not break the law because of the spirit of Law & Order. It doesn't mean that you're a Patriot by doing those 2 things. However the 3rd point is almost the same as the one talked about the 2 Malay gentlemen previously.


Though we're all Malaysian, it seems like what the meaning of Patriotism is different to each of us. Though there are some similar line between the ethnicity but the fundamental ingredient for Patriotism is not well defined. Until I watch this video....enjoy...and if you did not UNDI....then don't talk about Patriotism and how much you love your country....enjoy..