Thirty-five years ago, my wife and I participated in a memorable adventure.
We traveled across several Western states with a group of Germans.
We had little money, so we camped.
We spent a lot of our spare time talking around the campfire.
It quickly became apparent during these discussions that the Germans were very proud to be German.
Germany first, fastest, strongest, smartest — in other words, nationalistic.
We talked about this and about what happened in Germany during the war.
We came to the conclusion that this nationalism, when embraced by an entire country, caused good people to stand by and allow bad things to happen.
These were good people.
I decided that I would reject nationalism.
It was apparent to me that there was a difference between nationalism and patriotism like I displayed when I enlisted in the service.
I decided that I would not cross my heart, cross my eyes or cross the street to participate in any nationalistic activity.
That includes observing the national anthem and chanting USA for the Olympics.
My decision.
Now we have people who want everyone to participate in exactly the same way.
Regardless of their reasons for resistance to conformity, people are bullied and assigned epithets for their actions.
Threaten their jobs, call them names, jeopardize their lifestyles.
Myself, I don’t care if someone kneels, stands and covers his heart or stands on his head.
Means nothing to me.
I will continue to resist the evil that is nationalism.
But I love the tune of our national anthem.
I always sing.
In harmony.
Paul Trosper,
Port Angeles