Today someone I know will be taking an oath of citizenship and, presumably, starting a new chapter. (Or maybe continuing the current chapter of his life. His call.)
Citizenship means a lot of things to a lot of different people. And that’s generally okay. Depending on where one lives, citizenship may mean trying to get the hell out for mere survival. It may mean government healthcare, or the right to vote. It may mean religious freedom. It may not. The way one views one’s home country is probably a lot like the way certain folks view their home states in the US: with pride. As I’m not a gal who thinks that way, it always surprises me when I cross paths with someone possessing a strong sense of state pride. It reminds me of being a kid in Georgia. I remember a few other kids talking about how Georgia was the best! And how other states were second-rate. Mind you, these memories are from my 10-year-old world, but I’m guessing kids haven’t changed much on that front. And like I said, when I encounter an adult with that same state devotion, it kind of makes me chuckle.
There’s no reason to think a person’s sense of country pride would be any different. And when it comes to immigrants choosing to become citizens of a new-to-them country, the pride is often greater than that of those born there. New citizens learn things about their adopted country, things most of us forgot soon after taking grade-school exams on the subject. New citizens take a test – a test, people – in order to live freely in their new country. It’s one thing to be born some place. It is another thing entirely to elect, as an adult, to become a citizen in a land foreign to one’s birth. And pride? New citizens have more patriotism and pride than most. It’s actually kind of beautiful. And inspiring. If you’ve never met a naturalized citizen of your country, you’re missing out. They’re the ones who love their new country enough to cry during its anthem. They’re the ones who talk about the grace and bounty of where they’ve chosen to live. Their sense of pride and patriotism kicks the ass of folks like me. Like I said – it’s kind of beautiful.
But back to today’s oath of citizenship. I wish this person the best. I truly do. I can’t know what his new citizenship will mean to him, but I do hope it brings him joy and happiness along with any other benefits to which he is entitled. And if he happens to feel a sense of pride during the playing of the anthem, good for him. Great Britain’s “God Save the Queen” really is lovely. May England treat him well.