“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, “Autobiographical Notes”

A large swath of the population has begun to define patriotism as unquestioning loyalty. Criticism of our society or our leadership, they claim, is an expression of hatred for our country and therefore must not be tolerated. Acknowledging that this country is not perfect, they assert, is not a simple exercise of free speech. It is tantamount to treason.

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