I don't think a lot of people are able to relate to genuine

Hear, O seekers of truth, the words of Christopher McCulloch: “I don't think a lot of people are able to relate to genuine patriotism, a genuinely good feeling about our country and its meaning to the rest of the world.” In this saying lies a lament and a revelation. For he speaks not of the loud, shallow proclamations of nationalism, nor of the blind adherence to symbols without substance. He speaks of genuine patriotism—a love of country that is honest, humble, and rooted in its contribution to the wider world. Such a spirit is rare, for many confuse patriotism with arrogance, or else reject it altogether, failing to see that true love of one’s homeland is both tender and noble.

The origin of these words lies in McCulloch’s work as a storyteller and creator, one who observed the shifting tides of culture and the cynicism of modern times. In an age where disillusionment often overshadows pride, where flaws and failures dominate the conversation, the deeper meaning of patriotism is easily lost. Many forget that to feel a “genuinely good feeling” about one’s country is not to ignore its faults, but to recognize its gifts, its potential, and its place in the greater family of nations. It is to see beyond the noise of politics and glimpse the enduring spirit of the people.

History gives us many examples of this deeper patriotism. Think of Václav Havel of Czechoslovakia, who endured prison and censorship under communist rule. When his nation was reborn, his patriotism was not pride in domination or conquest, but joy in the survival of freedom and the flowering of the human spirit. He saw his country not only for itself, but for what it could symbolize to the world: a beacon of liberty rising from oppression. Such is the “genuine good feeling” of which McCulloch speaks, a love that is not selfish, but universal.

Consider also the example of Nelson Mandela. When he emerged from decades in prison, he did not wield patriotism as a weapon of vengeance, but as a call for reconciliation. He loved his South Africa enough to forgive its sins, to lead it toward unity rather than division. His patriotism was genuine, because it was not about superiority over others, but about healing his land and showing the world the power of forgiveness. This is the kind of patriotism that McCulloch mourns as rare: a love that uplifts both nation and humanity.

The meaning of the quote is thus profound. Many people struggle to relate to genuine patriotism because they have only seen its counterfeits—chauvinism that boasts without compassion, or hollow gestures that lack sincerity. True patriotism, however, is not loud but steadfast. It is not about declaring one’s country flawless, but about cherishing its essence while striving to improve it. It is a love that sees both the shadows and the light, yet chooses to work for the light, not only for one’s own people but for the betterment of the world.

The lesson for us is clear: reclaim the meaning of patriotism. Let it not be reduced to slogans or empty rituals. Let it be the quiet, enduring devotion that moves you to serve, to defend, to create, and to share your nation’s gifts with others. When you think of your country, ask not only what it means to you, but what it means to the world. Does it inspire freedom, compassion, and justice? Or does it sow fear and division? In this reflection lies the measure of genuine love for one’s homeland.

Practical counsel follows. Learn your country’s history—not only its victories, but its struggles, for in both lies its greatness. Celebrate its achievements without denying its flaws. Serve your community, for the nation is strongest when its smallest parts are cared for. And above all, let your patriotism be rooted in generosity: work to ensure your land is not only a refuge for you, but a blessing to others, within and beyond its borders. In this way, you will embody the genuine feeling of which McCulloch speaks.

So let these words echo as a call to action: “A genuinely good feeling about our country and its meaning to the rest of the world.” Seek that feeling not in empty pride, but in love, in service, in justice. For when patriotism is purified of arrogance and strengthened by humility, it becomes a force not of division, but of unity—a gift to the nation itself and to all humanity.