Patriotism pt3– Morocco

Courtesy of Lina Bezzate Guessous

Lina Bezzate Guessous is a French North African, who is very much at home in both environments.  She appreciates cultures blending together elements of each but feels strongly that they need to still retain their distinct identity.

Where are you from and where do you now live?

Lina Bezzate Guessous: I’m from Morocco, I grew up between Morocco France and Belgium, and I currently live in France.

Define patriotism as opposed to nationalism

Belonging to a community vs. conforming to expectations

Patriotism is feeling you’re a citizen of the country in question, feeling as a member of the community, defending it etc. no matter your origins.

Nationalism is, I think, something that you’re feeling when you correspond to what is understood and seen as being French, Polish or American.

How is patriotism approached in your country?

In my home country, nationalism is a certain form of love towards the king and a kind of trust in the government.

Are you a patriot of your country?

I don’t know what to really answer to this question because when you’re from a dual culture, it’s complicated to identify with one or the other and to feel completely dedicated to one or the other because it implies a kind of choice to be made. So, I would say I’ll always consider myself both French and Moroccan, et je porterais toujours une forme de respect et de fierté pour les deux (translation => and I’ll always carry a form of respect and pride for the two)

I feel patriotism really depends on how you’re perceived by the others. For example, I feel seen as Moroccan in France and as French in Morocco. This doesn’t help when you want to feel or not feel patriotic.

Does patriotism have a place in today’s world?

I didn’t answer this last question because, on one hand, I don’t think I’m a patriot but, on the other, couldn’t say I’m not one. I may be lost with regards to this question because of the international atmosphere that always surrounds me.  For this reason, I think patriotism is being threatened by further globalization.

About the Article

A  personal look at patriotism compared to nationalism in Morocco.

Patriotism Intro

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