Don't think of Patriotism as being proud about your government. Think of it more about being proud of your culture. It's about being proud of your traditions, your art, and your contributions to the world. It's about loving where you came from and seeing value in your neighbors. Though, you're right to be careful. The line between patriotism and jingoism can become very fine if you let yourself get carries away. Judging from this post, you're doing great so far. I can't wait to see more. Just take heart though, not all of us actually view your nation according to stereotypes.I wouldn't ascribe my motivation to patriotism - though, I won't deny that a part of me is brainwashed to believe Russia to be great, and powerful, and blah blah blah... Patriotism is a false banner, and I won't stand under it.
What drives me is the wish to spread the idea that Russia is more than people in the US are lead to believe through idiotic stereotypes in the modern artistic media. "Oh, Mader Ruhsha is always snowy and cold, da! Vi drink vodka and dance prisyadka! Vaen vi ah bord, vi ride our pet bears!"... Greedy cretins who make money out of people's ignorance. It's a shame to see that ignorance propagated.
I realize that, and I hope that I don't appear to be an ignorant swine that I scold myself. It can be daunting to only see stereotypical Russian characters in the movies hoo alvays tock wid dat stoopeed ecksent, though. I don't want to be judged by that tattooed bandit named Dmitry or Vladimir whom people see all the time on screen. Just like in any nation, there's a wealth of characters to explore and be amazed by. This is almost exactly what I came to believe, and, even if completely untrue, it will take a lot of effort to abolish from my mind - more than I care to serve it. I don't like the notion of patriotism being even somewhat a good reason to do exactly what your mothercountry tells you to do: respect this kind of people, like these ones, hate these ones, salute, cheer and take part in parades... This got so deep into my bones that I started to hate it with the brightest flame. You're right, of course: I'm confusing the two. Despite that, I have to be careful with the words I use to describe myself: a patriot - the kind of patriot people in Russia mindlessly expect me to be - is not what I want to be.not all of us actually view your nation according to stereotypes.
Don't think of Patriotism as being proud about your government.