Patriotism is not agreeing with whatever your country does and supporting it fully. Patriotism is standing up on the front lines to do what's right for your country and fixing the mistakes its leaders made in the past. Patriotism is shaping your country so it's better for future generations. Patriotism is making sure any suffering happening to your generation right now does not happen to the later generations. Patriotism is making things better in your country, even if it's just a spelling error in a law, even if it's just a tweak in tradition. Patriotism is making your country better for the world and not condoning injustice.

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Slavery, the Holocaust, Ebola, homelessness, starvation. No one wants to talk about these issues. It's heartbreaking or disturbing to them, maybe both. But when kids whine about not liking their food, what do the parents say? "Be glad you're not one of the starving children in Africa. Be happy you're not them and be thankful for what you have."

Now, being thankful for what you have is a good thing, but what's alarming about that statement? Be glad you're not them. What did America say about Europe's issues before Pearl Harbor was bombed? What did Europe say about America during the Great Depression? What did the world say about the Rape of Beijing? "It's not our problem. Be glad you're not them, kiddos." What actions did we take until it affected us? When did we stand up?

We need to get rid of this way of thinking. Now, not later. It's an issue all across the world. We use the less fortunate as propaganda that our lives are great, that everything is sunshine and rainbows, when in truth, our lives need improvement.

America. The Soviet Union. Never thought you'd hear something similar about them, would you? Especially after the Cold War. Well, guess what? They both manipulated their citizens. After World War II, the Soviet Union kept the German concentration camps around in good condition. Why? To manipulate their citizens into believing the Soviet Union saved them from that kind of life, that life was better. Was it? Yes, but were there still evils within it? Yes. It's the same in America, but with the Holocaust films.

Teacher *after watching a Holocaust film*: "Aren't you glad you don't live in a world like that?"

Student: "Yes, but-"

Teacher: "But what? We don't live in a world like them. We're fine."

Student *not saying anything else because teacher has moved on already, but thinks 'But we need to keep improving. We have men making decisions about women's bodies. We need better representation.'*

Let me tell you a story. A week ago, my class all said the Holocaust could happen again. Not with the same people, but we still believed it was possible. The next day, our teacher showed us a video of Buchenwald. We were horrified. Half my class changed their opinions. Me? Not so much. In fact, it supported what I was thinking. There are still Holocausts in the world. Maybe just aspects, maybe just on tiny scales, but I believe there are still parts of the horrible event popping up again and again and again. We have people standing up against them. But what attention do the issues in society get? Everyone's too worried about what dress so-so celebrity is wearing.

If I became famous, I would shoot down the media's sexist and invasive ways, even starting my own group. For example, paparazzi-ing the paparazzi and refusing to answer their questions, instead making a statement or asking them questions. Risky? Beyond my wildest dreams. Worth it? Absolutely. I'm sick of the media being the way it is.

But, anyway, back on track. A big issue? Starvation in Africa. Just saying Africa makes it seem so small and generalized, doesn't it? It's actually starvation in Libya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Tunisia, Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Somalia, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte D'ivoire, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Mali, Gambia, Malawi, Eritrea, Mauritania, Morocco, South Africa, Lesotho, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Swaziland, Cabinda, Equilateral Guinea, and Burkina Faso. Those are all the countries in Africa. I'm willing to say there's at least one starving person in those countries. I could say the same about the world.

I have more points, but I'm not going to write the thousand more words I could say. The point is, just because it's not as bad as somewhere else doesn't mean it's not bad. It doesn't mean we're perfect. It doesn't mean we don't need to improve. In fact it's the opposite. We need to improve so we can help the others improve and improve ourselves further.