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blood & soil
Blood and soil is kind of a thing though, to me and others. I know not everyone feels this way but some do. I wouldn't describe it as 'patriotism' as to me that's about Queen and country. Quite a formative part of my identity is a sense of belonging or attachment or something to a land, a landscape, a place. Part of that is that it's "in my blood" which I imagine I interpret in a different way to most - it's in my blood because that's where I grew up. It isn't to do with where I was born or where my parents came from, but it's blood in the sense of body.
I've also had to fight for my identity and my pride in who I am (it's still tentative tbh). Pride shouldn't be confused with superiority. I don't think I'm better than anyone else or that being English or British is great in any sense, but it is who I am.
I know some people have no attachment to the place or places they grew up in, it's not a right or wrong. I feel anger and to some extent shame at 'our' governments actions and lack of actions, but I don't associate that with blood and soil.
hoefla-
Thanks - that's a really interesting response. I think I see what you mean.
My personal identity is built up from my world view, who I am now, where and who I've come from. The aggregated and mediated sum of the child, teenage and adult me, including genetic, cultural and geographic factors.
I guess I was using the term 'blood and soil' in a direct association with notions of genetic superiority/purity - If you don't stem from this soil and blood line you don't belong here..... as per the Blut & Boden associations of 1930's Germany. -
I've also had to fight for my identity and my pride in who I am (it's still tentative tbh). Pride shouldn't be confused with superiority. I don't think I'm better than anyone else or that being English or British is great in any sense, but it is who I am.
I think you've basically just elegantly described patriotism vs nationalism.
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Blood and soil is kind of a thing though, to me and others
Only not by that name pls because it really is a Nazi slogan.
Rik_Van_Looy
Stonehedge
itsbruce
This kind of takes us back to earlier discussion of patriotism... https://www.lfgss.com/comments/16565320/
My idea of patriotism is to pay your taxes, obey the law, be a good citizen etc.
It has fuck-all to do with where you were born, the colour of your skin, hair, eyes or whatever. On that basis, if really want to start deporting people, do it to the tax dodgers, culture war stokers etc
Sadly, to many people, patriotism is flags, blood & soil which is a massive worry.
Also the way it affects our attitude to our past also concerns me quite deeply and we seem to be going the wrong direction with this too