Patriotism is so overrated. It is like wanting to create an emotion for something you don’t even care. And that emotion is so dependent on events and scenarios that people need reinforcements for it. If it were different from being an emotion, people would have actually done something for the country they are patriotic about rather than making songs and drinking soft drinks for a multinational. So when I talk about patriotism, people in my country Pakistan have different views on it. Actually no one understands the true meaning behind it but they have funny views about the place they call Pakistan.
The first group is the one I refer to as the ticket to Hollywood people. These people roam around the metropolis in luxury sedans pretending to know everything about the country. They actually have ideas which can turn Pakistan into Marilyn Monroe. Theywant to ornate it with Starbucks, Wendy’s and Disney Land but the problem is that they have a plane to catch for a country which terms them as a terrorist nation. However they promise to watch all the matches team Pakistan plays in the world cup and they will cheer for the team also. I mean come one guys, round of applause for them.
The next group is the hip hop group. They seem to merge state and religion so easily that sometimes people forget where Islam actually came from. However they aspire to make Pakistan invincible by bombing its enemies which now they find in their own homeland. I admire their ability to alter religion for their comfort by issuing notices or fatwas. For them the only way out from this misery is through protests which actually no one notices or in extreme cases training people for the 70 virgins.
Another set is called silent but violent. These people are silent at times when something bad is happening in front of them, but violent in their homes. They tend to take out all the pressure they get from the outside world on the family. They consider themselves as victim of injustice, which is not the case. They are no less than culprits to the crime. They give bribes to people terming it as a token of appreciation, cheat in competitions claiming it as their right and blame the government for all the things that have happened to them.
Next are the all runs in the family group. These people are very interesting. Rulers of usually the rural areas, exercising might which is gifted to them by their forefathers. Their present generation is born with a golden spoon in its mouth, a foreign degree in politics and a tinted SUV. They care about their people a lot, by manipulating them, controlling the basic facilities in the area and collecting usury which ultimately results in the death of a poor farmer. Come on people, round of applause for them also.
The best part is all of these are Pakistanis, so the next time a red faced white calls you a paki, ask him which one? And if he gets confused in answering the question, bring him to Pakistan. His mind will surely get screwed. So the questions once again comes on to you guys. Which group do you belong to or have you thought of making an identity that symbolizes real patriotism.
