My problem is that I need a bit more context for this shot to tell me whether it is patriotic or not. Which war are they protesting? Is it a war to help a free and just nation maintain that freedom - i.e WWII, or is it something else?
I think a better question is...is this protest or simply dressing up?
Well, the thing of it is: knee-jerk patriotism = "support our troops" etc etc. This gal's a hippie chick, dontcha' know, and if she wants to rattle a few cages this'll do it for sure :-) And YES, "patriotism" means supporting free speech, LOL.
I see patriotism as a love for one's nation, people, and way of life. Notice that there is no government in my definition. People with unquestioned support of their government are the opposite of patriots, they are loyalists. The original patriots (as far as the US is concerned) were the revolutionaries. They loved their nation, people, and way of life. In order to defend it, they revolted against their government (Great Britain).
That being said... yes, that is patriotism. Sadly, its not so obvious to far too many people.
Well, the thing of it is: knee-jerk patriotism = "support our troops" etc etc. This gal's a hippie chick, dontcha' know, and if she wants to rattle a few cages this'll do it for sure :-) And YES, "patriotism" means supporting free speech, LOL.
I would say freedom of speech is a by product of patriotic acts. People in other countries have the ability to be patriotic to their country, but may not have the same freedom of speech we have in our country.
Submit the photo and see how you do. I was just giving my opinion.
I would say freedom of speech is a by product of patriotic acts. People in other countries have the ability to be patriotic to their country, but may not have the same freedom of speech we have in our country.
Submit the photo and see how you do. I was just giving my opinion.
Well, it depends on your intent. I really like your shot. If you're just trying to make a statement then go for it, although they'll probably see it as a shoehorn and too divisive. If you want to be competitive I'd consider shooting something apolitical for the masses. Particularly if the fair is up around the M15/thumb area where people tend to be slightly more flag & apple pie patriotic than people closer to Ann Arbor & Detroit. Still, I hope you'll enter this one anyway.
Another great patriotic subject so many of us in Michigan are now sensitive about would be a shot of someone voting (and not having it actually count). Or how about a lawyer filing papers to remove a corrupt public official. :o So much to be patriotic about these days in this neck of the woods. :\
The previous posts stating that they are probably looking for the "mom, flag and apple pie" shots are probably dead on. I like the shot and find the thought of using it in a "patriotism" themed photo contest very interesting. It reminded me of a few quotes (I had to go searching for them to make sure I didn't misquote- and actually found a few others that are rather thought provoking). It makes me wonder what types of reaction this photo would get in such a contest.
No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots. - Barbara Ehrenreich
The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair. - H. L. Mencken
I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. - James Baldwin
Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country. - Hermann Goering
The nation is divided, half patriots and half traitors, and no man can tell which from which.- Mark Twain
Honestly, I don't see the photo as being a particularly good representation of patriotism. It doesn't seem very provocative of anything either. To me, it looks more like a badly processed snapshot.
