Cadets and Criminals

Why are they so proud of that country?
I have heard the question posed above asked quite a number of times with some variations to its construction, but its implication remains the same. Translated into American Standard English the question reads: Why is that person, or group of people, so proud of a country which is not the USA, and why is that pride being demonstrated on American soil?
A flag representing a third world country usually triggers the asking of this question and a feeling of anger + pride. This mathematical formula gives us nationalism. Voila. 
New Yorkers are fortunate that said flags can be found in overwhelming abundance in the 5 boroughs. We are also very fortunate to have front row seats to the mixing and mingling of races, ethnicities, and cultures. If this were not the case we may forget that a world exists outside of the U.S. and the Walmart 2 miles away. (Sorry middle America). Still, whether we would like to admit it or not, racism, in varying degrees and shapes, exists in New York.
What can be said of the nationalistic pride of immigrants within these United States? Common thought states that immigrants wash up on American borders because their homeland could not provide them with the opportunities available here. Therefore, our nationalistic narrator continues, it is ridiculous to be proud of that lesser piece of land immigrants refer to as their nation. Their pride should be suppressed, for as long as they are here, in the U.S., they are living proof that their nation is sub par. Checkmate.
Let us step away from the physical enormity of nations and look at something much more familiar. Something like family. For the duration of the remainder of this post you are a parent of two children. The eldest is an overachieving, intelligent, well mannered, responsible member of your family and society. The youngest does poorly in school, has behavioral issues, and has a knack for stealing. (If you immediately pictured the youngest child as a male you have a sexist gene.) Your youngest has thrown off the balance once achieved in the house. The domestication of humans has failed and you are now a dysfunctional family. The horror.
These are murky waters. You wish both of your seedlings would have flourished towards prosperity in an upright manner, remarkable to every passer by. The criminal element, your youngest, must change for his/her own good, you say to your spouse. Yet as hard as you try to create a preference for your POTUS in the making there is that eerie resemblance to its creators, and that inexplicable connection you have with the demon child.
When you send out Christmas cards (I really hope you don't actually do this) both Cesar (oldest) and Brutus (youngest) are featured. They are both dragged to family functions, placed in the same schools (if possible), fed the same food, and provided with an equal amount of stuff.  Unless you quit on the youngest and ditched him/her on the side of some dark road.
If you went the abandonment route I cannot say much more to you. Those of you with a functioning heart who don't torture small animals during your spare time and decided that both your fictional children deserve your love and attention can continue reading.
What we see in both the case of family and nationalistic pride is the discarding of a ridiculous value system and its being replaced with love. Yes, your youngest child is a miscreant, but it's your child.  That non red/white/blue flag does not represent military glory, imperialism, wealth, the Super Bowl, or flat screen televisions. It does, however, symbolize that inexplicable feeling of connection you have with your rebellious young one- who is most likely on Ritalin by now. Respect that.

You are no longer the parent of two imaginary children.

This post is dedicated to C.J. who went out the only way he knew how, loudly.
- Alex