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I Believe in Patriotism

Posted 8/14/2025

Every year, the “This I Believe” evening of speeches by graduating students showcases a wide range of topics and emotions as Shawnigan students bare their souls by reading aloud pieces they have written about topics close to their hearts. As part of the English curriculum at Shawnigan, all Grade 12 students prepare essays about a topic of their choice, reflecting in some way on takeaways from their high school experience, and read it to their classmates. The following is Desi Shaw’s contribution to this year’s event.

I pledge allegiance to my flag, of the United States of America. And to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

However, This I Believe is not to be political. It was a hard question to find out whether I could be patriotic without being political; without talking about reproductive rights, the military industrial complex, or immigrant deportations. Because This I Believe speeches are not to be political, the question became for me: can patriotism transcend politics? I believe it can. My personal journey has shown that it can.

I pledge my allegiance to all 50 stars and 13 stripes that make up my flag. I pledge to honour those that have served my nation: my retired naval commander grandfather, Bumpa, and Rusty, former FBI and counter-intelligence expert. I pledge to continue to actively participate in my country’s governance and national security.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: I am a patriot through and through.

For the past four years, Shawnigan has provided a unique opportunity: the chance to leave my home, the American education system, and the all-encompassing-ness of the politics of the United States in exchange for taking a hard look in the mirror. I knew nothing about Canada except considering it to be America's attic – the system of government, the political parties, and Tim Hortons were all new knowledge. And yet, everyone seemed to know about the United States and our politics.

Everyone had an opinion. I heard what people here thought of my country. I heard criticisms – some fair, some hard to hear – and I didn’t always know how to respond. How my political opinions were not their political opinions. And yet, I knew nothing about living under a constitutional monarchy, residential schools, or universal healthcare. I can’t decide if this is a negative reflection upon myself for being a self-centered patriot or if I should take pride in people having discussions about my country. Either way, it leaves room to grow.

Shawnigan has been that growth – here I have had to remove myself from the weeds of politics at home and consider my patriotism beyond my country’s borders. I used to think patriotism was about pride. Now I believe it’s about responsibility. It’s not about pretending your country is perfect – it’s about believing it can be better.

Prior to Shawnigan, the faults of my country were harder to recognize. Blind allegiance through American pride was a philosophy I stood by. However, through Shawnigan and its community, I’ve had to learn how to have uncomfortable conversations. I didn’t yet know how to separate myself from the symbols I’d been raised with. I didn’t know if I was supposed to defend, or reflect, or just listen. And within that, I’ve learned that it’s okay to disagree, but it’s how we disagree that matters.

By no stretch of the imagination do I believe my country is without fault. And yet, I believe in patriotism not as a blind allegiance, but as an active choice. I believe in loving something enough to want it to improve, just as the first 15 words of our Constitution outline: "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union…” That sentence doesn’t say we’re perfect. It says we’re trying. And I believe that trying matters. I believe being a patriot means holding your country accountable because you love it, not in spite of it. Shawnigan has taught me to look honestly at my home, and has reminded me of the promise that my country is one of liberty and dedicated to the pursuit of happiness. I will always take pride in that, and will always fight to uphold that.

I am a patriot. One day, I will be a part of my government that I love and loathe. And when that time comes, I will be reminded that I stand on the shoulders of the people of the United States who have believed in responsibility and love. I will be reminded that my belief in my country and this beautiful, messy nation has been supplemented by the perspective I’ve gained by looking at my country from the outside during my time at Shawnigan, knowing that without this community and the opinions that foster discussions leading to diversity and growth, I would still be a self-centered American.

I believe I am a better patriot because of Canada. I believe I’ve learned to love better; have a larger capacity to love, because of all of you.

Can I truly believe that I can be a patriot without the politics in tow? The growth and perspective that Shawnigan has provided for me over the past four years show me yes. I am a patriot. Not because I think my country is flawless – but because I believe it’s worth the effort.

I pledge my allegiance to my flag of the United States of America. For this complicated and diverse nation, this land that stands on justice and liberty, this home that continuously strives to be a place of opportunity for all. This land is my land – with all the responsibilities and struggles that come in tow. This land is our land – our collective work in progress that, when working with the tools we have, can become a better nation for the next generation. From the redwood forests to the Gulf Stream waters, this land was made for you and me. This is my country and these are my people, and I love it in its entirety.

I Believe in Patriotism.

Desi Shaw is a 2025 graduate of Shawnigan Lake School who proudly calls California home.

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