Many think that patriots’ deeds, or the sense of patriotism and love of one’s country, are fighting for the sovereignty or independence of the nation and firing its woes, especially externally thrown threats, aggression trajectories, and invasion intentions. These people are not mistaken, as they have comprehended the concept as much as they have been fed and witnessed, perhaps in the history of their lives. This is a good concept, indeed, and part and parcel of patriots’ performance.
However, being a patriot for a given nation or reflecting patriotism has had a number of elements in it. Carrying out all activities as effectively as possible for the sake of a given nation and its fellow citizens, at a wider scope, is unequivocally patriotism, and all lighthearted individuals undertaking all sorts of sacred moves are also called patriots. For instance, a city bus driver who has rendered public service without infringing time, especially during rush hours when citizens are given a hard time due to a lack of transportation facilities, is a patriot.
Besides, if public servants assigned to every sector office are willing to and capable of genuinely serving fellow citizens and the nation, they are real patriots. As a general point of view, common in Ethiopia, in fact, the concept that does come to people’s minds is that whoever hears the term ‘patriots’ is a citizen who made sacrifice, has been making sacrifice, and will be making sacrifice in the years to come, as being a patriot for any given country doesn’t have a time or scope limit.
Ethiopia is today celebrating a cordial moment in its history: the Ethiopian Patriots’ Victory Day, which has been a national holiday since the Ethiopian forefathers and foremothers’ victory over the Italian five-year occupation and the return of Emperor Haile Selassie to the throne in 1941. True, when citizens think about patriots, they have considered individual commanders and military or semi-military crew who have bothered about the nation and people and severely fought for the sovereignty or independence of their country.
The existing generation or the posterity to come have to scrupulously and painstakingly look into circumstances to be to effectively resolve the problems they have been facing in the country as amicably as possible, without politicizing minor and hunky punchy matters. This is patriotism, too. All walks of life or every citizen has to appreciate how much more noble and audacious the effort, the commitment, the sacrifice of the patriots who had done a momentous deed for their country. Yes, drawing lessons from these precious senior citizens and has to be made a culture to make a difference in all aspects.
As the patriots had the freedom and sovereignty easier thought the novel patriots faced an enemy that was pure in its evil trajectory, the generation of this time needs to realize that the works of patriots since it has to be well acknowledged and replicated in all circumstances. To be a patriot these days in Ethiopia means a dedication to helping the country endure and thrive definitely. One is a patriot if they help build libraries and schools. Be a teacher and be a patriot, instilling in the next generation the true history of the country and the values of appreciating each other as Ethiopians, perhaps different in ethnicity but all of one soul. Besides, teaching a child to read and discover all that the world has to offer, and don’t just teach the child to read but to think critically to be a patriot and evaluate what they are reading.
A patriot is the agricultural engineer who sees how the country could grow crops that not only service a market in Ethiopia but feed people at home, too. A patriot is the engineer who dreams big and can imagine the next national success. A modern patriot doesn’t see the world in terms of rifles and targets, but in terms of lasting peace and sustainable growth. Patriots make the impossible possible and the unthinkable thinkable.
The 83rd Anniversary of the Victory Day has been celebrated colorfully across the nation in the presence of senior government officials and veterans and juniors of the patriots.
The victory Day commemorates gallantry of Ethiopian Patriots in the five years struggle against Italian forces the end of the Fascist aggression in the country. The sacrifices paid by Ethiopian patriots have made Ethiopia an icon of independence for many African countries and other nations which were under colony and oppression.
Yes, it is time to call upon the youth and the general public at large to preserve the spirit of the victory of the patriots against the Italian Fascist and stand united to defend national interests from both internal and external antagonists.
Here, history uncovers that Ethiopia’s longer independence and sovereignty are guarded by the blood and flesh of its beloved sons from the dawn of history to the present day. Celebrating this Patriots’ Day there are links we can connect to the patriotic resistance against the Italian occupation to today’s most pressing national interest.
The historic duty to defend their sovereignty falls on the shoulders of Ethiopians. When Ethiopians proved their heroism, they fought for their land without a leader. Women patriots also did an extraordinary job by then, too.
Unequivocally, sovereignty and the right to rule are inseparable. Only when the right to govern Ethiopia, is in the hands of Ethiopians, who love the motherland and fellow citizens, indeed! Needless to state, patriots are bound to sincerely safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and respect the fundamental system of the nation. Patriotic pro-establishment, the centrist and the moderate and rational opposition camp, should consider how they should strive to become patriots, under the clear requirements of patriots serving their compatriots and their country.
Patriots wanted to create their own laws and to form Ethiopia. The Patriots wanted freedom from invaders because they didn’t think they were treated well. True, patriots don’t have to express patriotism in symbolic displays of loyalty like standing for the national anthem and waving the Ethiopian flag. They expressed patriotism in taking a fair share of the burdens of keeping the nation going — sacrificing for the common good. This means paying taxes in full rather than lobbying for lower taxes or seeking tax loopholes or squirreling away money abroad.
Patriots understand that when they serve the public, their responsibility is to maintain and build public trust in the institutions of democracy. If one asks how has the independence of Ethiopia been maintained and sustained, the response is an outright ‘following the courageous move of patriots and citizens loving their nation.’
If another question, what does patriotism and nationalism mean to people? is asked, in schools for instance, patriotism means and have taken part in the traditions that reflect it — from reciting the pledge of allegiance to singing the national anthem and other patriotic songs during public commemorations and events.
It is generally defined as having a genuine love for one’s country, including feelings of pride, devotion and vigorous support and attachment to the motherland as well as fellow citizens. However, patriotism is often confused with nationalism. While they may share the love of country, they are not the same. Patriotism, historically and now, is based on positive values and feelings like freedom, justice and equality. There is the fundamental belief that the system of government and fellow citizens are inherently good and work together for a better quality of life for all. On the other hand, nationalism, which has positive elements of love, pride and protection of the country, can also degenerate into superior and separatist beliefs that do more harm than good in fostering the overall well-being of a country and all of its citizens.
No matter what people call it or how they label it, the health and well-being of this nation moving forward will require that most of its citizens at least be strong patriots as a country will not survive without them.
The Ethiopian people had for many years been targets of anti-Italian propaganda, which intensified with the war. Patriots also explore the expansion of the national security requirements and the reduction of uniformed personnel in light of ongoing military commitments in the country. In light of a rapidly evolving, increasingly privatized national security institution, this type of influence and political posturing raises serious concerns for control and calls into question the nation’s ability to assess efficiency and effectiveness.
Defending the way of life, the nation, and moreover, the home led to a reciprocal linkage between patriotism and defense. With new thoroughly changed security challenges and modifications in understanding patriotism as an old and survived concept, one may raise the question of future security stability and, above all, by whom and how it will be provided in the future.
Patriots’ move has been playing a critical role in preventing the nation from external woes and acts of intimidation. The primary purpose of the patriot endeavor is to strengthen national security measures and prevent invasions of Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, to be patriotic is to be a pillar of the independence of the nation. Many patriotic Ethiopians were determined from the outset to continue the struggle.
Certainly, a true patriot begins by trusting the people. Patriots love their country; they are proud of their citizenship and all it entails; they see their affinity for their country and their fellow citizens as complementing other bonds of solidarity.
In sum, patriots are honest about their country’s shortcomings, are ready to talk to and listen to all citizens, and have faith in the future—faith that citizens acting together can overcome all hardships and mishaps. Ethiopians are instinctively patriotic but have never had the chance for a democratic, moderate patriotism. Ethiopia needs the patriotism of humility and readiness to listen, indeed! Ethiopians need to be passionate in their moderation, finding the right balance among their multiple identities, and beginning an all-inclusive national discussion about the many possible futures that face this great nation—Ethiopia.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY MENGESHA AMARE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 5 MAY 2024
