Patriotism about loving one’s country, not burning effigies

In his letter “Wrong to equate inaction at HK protest with patriotism” (July 10), Mr Goh Meng Seng mentioned that “if our Government were bringing us shame, we should speak out against it”. He equated this to patriotism.

From what my books and schools have inculcated in me, patriotism is about loving and defending my country. Mr Goh sees no problem with the burning of effigies, but in our Asian society, it is considered rude.

I would not stoop to burning effigies to air my discontent with the Government’s actions against Amos Yee, and I do not see how this is an act of patriotism.