Patriotism vs. Nationalism – The New American Challenge

Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, addressed the Detroit Economic Club on February 7, 2019 and distinguished patriotism vs. nationalism. He explained nationalism creates first and second-class citizens based on ethnicity, religion, or national origin; while patriotism is about our values and understanding America’s imperfect history to work towards improving democracy and the American system.

“What we want to be in the 21st century is 21st-century patriots,” said Morial. “Those who place love on people and our nation above the idea that we need to distrust, not tolerate and hate others.”

Morial added, “It’s a value proposition that is bigger than a political party and political ideology. It’s a value proposition which is embedded into the words of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It’s a value proposition which is based on equal opportunity. The concept of justice. The concept of tolerance. The concepts that have always been the moral high ground in American life.”