A Story of Patriotism

Dimitris Strantsalis
Aug 25, 2017 · 4 min read

At Tuesday (August 15), it was one of the biggest Feasts for Greece and definitely the biggest of the summer period. As usual in this kind of occasions, I was with my family and friends. As we sat on the table for the traditional lunch an oddly interesting conversation occurred. I honestly cannot recall how the whole conversation got started but I am sure it was about the politic scenery of the country (Greece).

The Important Part

As the conversation unfolded we moved on how the country ended up that badly in financial, political and social manners. We Greeks have a natural tension to nag about everything, we are very good at judging and putting the blame on others while we are unable to recognize our own faults, it is in our DNA, but let’s don’t talk about this anymore because that’s the story of a whole nation. I clearly stated that as soon as I am able I will leave the country and go live anywhere else but here. I did not have the time to provide any arguments because my standpoint along with the way I have said it has caused a massive reaction for everybody above 30yrs old in the table. They admitted that the situation we are experiencing the last 5 years is not encouraging but they accused me of lack of patriotism and not caring about my country and nation. The first thing that came into my mind was the question: What is the nation? What is the country?

What I understood from the answers was that most of the people fight for something they don’t know about. They have no certain definition in their minds and that generality is what keeps them going. I am not going to judge their opinion it wouldn’t be fair and I don’t want to become this kind of person anyway. What I do want to say is my point of view.

My opinion

First of all, I admire and I am also inspired by my long ancestors. Ancient Greece was the beginning of our civilization and also source of inspiration for many others that is not a matter of discussion, it is a fact. I remember a quote I have read (I don’t remember who said it though)

I admire (ancient) greeks for all the have said and I hate them because they left nothing for me to say

This quote says the most out of my opinion. Our “past“ is so bright that we are totally relied on it, while the world evolves. What I am trying to say as clear as possible is that I don’t doubt that the Greek nation has a history full of bright innovative minds in every aspect but now the story is different. Now those bright minds have to seek for other lands in order to survive. Patriotism got to do with loving your country but your country as it is now not a former state, at 2500BC. What I can say for now is that Greece is in its worst state and as the history has already proved it will get even worst. This is why I feel no patriotism at all. This country had offered me nothing. Not even the basics. I had to fight for everything I have done in my life and I am only 23. The school never motivated me to study and do well. The society did not prompt me to never break the law. When I succeed in university I was so lost I thought I will never do something in my life relative to science, because the university was a complete chaos. The majority of the students were lost and pessimistic like me. Everyone I met through those 5 years was just waiting to graduate and leave the country! Through my whole life path until today I only received help and guidance from people that were neither supposed nor obliged to help me. I was just lucky to have them in my life.

Although there are enough arguments already none of them draw my opinion. It is the people attitude that pushes me out of the borders. We don’t want to change. You cannot help someone that doesn’t want to be helped. Although we suffer enough, although we know it is our fault as we elect the government ,we choose the tax evasion as a path to profit, we make the easy choices, although we admit it doesn’t go anywhere we stick to the same attitude. And this is the hardest thing to change.

Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war.

— A. Einstein

This implies to everything in life that has to be changed. Another version is :

Be the change you want to see to the world

— M. Gandhi.

I sincerely would have no problem to stay in a place where people authentically try to save their country from collapsing or thrive to progress. I would sacrifice the comfort of high salary and high quality of life and even my personal ambitions, to serve a higher goal. But this is not the case, no way it is. The majority here is stacked and I bet it is going to be the same.

And instead of becoming a guy that does not care about anything more than his own “good” I choose to go.


This is why I am leaving when I get the chance, and I truly hope somebody proves me wrong someday.

)

Dimitris Strantsalis

Written by

Physics Student, admin at WiSeInno, quote maniac, superbikes ethic!

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