It was an act of patriotism when we worked to pass a law

The stateswoman Kamala Harris once declared: “It was an act of patriotism when we worked to pass a law allowing the prosecution of federal hate crimes in the name of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd.” In these words lies a profound understanding of patriotism as moral courage expressed through action, particularly in defense of the vulnerable. Harris reminds us that love of country is not merely ceremonial; it is the commitment to ensure justice, to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens, and to confront hatred wherever it festers. True patriotism manifests in laws, policies, and deeds that reflect the ethical soul of the nation.

In the wisdom of the ancients, the greatest devotion to one’s people was expressed not only in battle, but in the protection of justice and the defense of the oppressed. Cicero and Aristotle emphasized that the moral strength of the state rests upon its commitment to virtue, law, and equity. Harris’ reflection echoes this principle: patriotism is inseparable from the pursuit of justice, particularly when the rights and lives of citizens are threatened by prejudice, violence, or hatred. To legislate against hate is to honor both liberty and the moral foundation of the republic.

The origin of this statement lies in the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, a landmark law expanding federal hate crime legislation. This law was enacted in memory of Shepard, a young gay man brutally murdered in Wyoming, and Byrd, an African American man lynched in Texas. Harris’ advocacy for the law reflects her understanding that patriotism is active: it requires confronting injustice and ensuring that the nation’s values of freedom, equality, and dignity are applied to all citizens.

History offers resonant examples of moral patriotism. Consider the efforts of Thurgood Marshall in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. His dedication to dismantling segregation was a profound act of patriotism: he sought not personal gain, but the alignment of law with the nation’s highest ideals. Like Harris, Marshall understood that true allegiance is expressed in the protection of rights and the pursuit of justice, even when it requires confronting entrenched societal prejudices.

Harris’ reflection also underscores that patriotism is not ceremonial or symbolic alone. It is ethical, courageous, and action-oriented. The legislation she references was a response to specific acts of brutality, yet it speaks to a broader moral imperative: to protect those most at risk, to ensure equality before the law, and to demonstrate that the nation’s values are not abstract but living commitments. Patriotism, therefore, is inseparable from civic responsibility and moral courage.

Consider also the story of Rosa Parks, whose refusal to yield her seat on a segregated bus was an act of moral patriotism. By standing against injustice, she affirmed the principles of liberty and equality, challenging her nation to live up to its highest ideals. Harris’ legislative work echoes this example: patriotism is measured in deeds that defend justice, confront hate, and expand the circle of protection and equality for all citizens.

The lesson for all generations is clear: patriotism is not mere allegiance to symbols, ceremonies, or partisanship. It is the courage to act in defense of justice, to confront prejudice, and to enact laws and policies that embody the moral and ethical ideals of the nation. The commitment to protect the vulnerable, to ensure equality, and to uphold liberty is among the highest expressions of devotion to one’s country.

Practically, this calls citizens to engage actively in civic life, advocate for policies that protect human rights, and confront injustice wherever it arises. Support legislation, volunteer in communities under threat, educate others about inequality, and hold leaders accountable. By doing so, one honors Harris’ insight: patriotism is moral action in defense of justice, a living commitment to the ideals that make a nation worthy of loyalty and love.