I’ve never been all that patriotic.
Part of it is that I’ve lived abroad for many periods in my life. So, most days, I feel much more like a “global citizen” than rooted in any one country.
I also hold two passports—one in the US and one in the UK. Trust me. If you’ve ever had to study for the UK citizenship test, you’ll instantly feel bonded to the Queen simply by virtue of the two weeks you spent memorizing the speed limits on assorted “motorways,” the population of Wales, and which healthcare benefits are afforded pregnant mothers.
Until quite recently, the only thing that really made me feel patriotic towards the U.S. was paying my taxes. And although I firmly believe that Americans should define their relationship to the American flag on their own terms, flag-waving has never really been part of my M.O.
Read the rest of this post over on the Vote from Abroad blog…
Image: Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash
