Patriotism

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 12

Patriotism

Sir,—Many noble sacrifices have been made in service to the country of a man’s birth. These days, every country could potentially be drawn into any attempt to use force, or gain power over others. No mediator satisfies those resorting to “fisticuffs.” Is not the time long overdue for extending “patriotism” to the next vital, logical stage: concern for true growth for the world, i.e. all land, all people, not only “mine”? So far, one sees the world as a school collapsing because each boy is working, not for the school, but only for his own class, against other classes. At this point, demon-

stealing the concept of cooperation, not competition; fel-low-feeling, not rivalry, seems imperative. Last century, the prophet Baha’u’llah urged: “The world is one country, and mankind its citizens." Whereas national power and aggression foster retaliation, let nations now combine in patriotism for the freedom and “rights” of the world, and foster the escalation only of peace.—Yours, etc., N. W. MILANOVICH. June 4, 1982.