Nationalism is one of the most influential political and cultural forces of recent centuries. It can be a driving force for unity, pride, and development, but also a tool for exclusion, hatred, and violence. The difference is not in the concept itself, but in how it is understood and practiced. Positive nationalism promotes collective identity without denying diversity, while negative nationalism becomes a dangerous ideology that fuels polarization and erodes democracy.
Negative nationalism is usually expressed through the construction of symbolic and real borders between “us” and “them.” It feeds on discourses of superiority, fear of foreigners, and the idea that cultural or racial purity is the only way to protect the nation. Historically, this type of thinking was the root of totalitarian regimes such as fascism in Italy or Nazism in Germany, whose devastating effects continue to be a warning for the present.
Currently, this exclusionary nationalism is reflected in various political discourses in the United States. A clear case is that of President Donald Trump, who throughout his career has promoted the slogan “America First.” Although seemingly appealing to national pride, in practice it has served to justify restrictive policies and narratives of fear. In December 2023, he declared that undocumented immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country” (CBS News), a biological metaphor that conveys the idea that foreigners contaminate the purity of the country.
Other public leaders have reinforced these types of views. Charlie Kirk, former director of Turning Point USA, stated: “All men are created equal in the eyes of God, but not all cultures are created equal… Western civilization is the best that humanity has produced.” Although presented as a defense of Western values, the phrase establishes cultural hierarchies that legitimize the exclusion of those who do not conform to that ideal.
These positions have not remained in words, but have materialized in concrete measures: stricter restrictions on the admission of refugees, immediate expulsion programs at the border, and executive orders that limited access to visas and humanitarian benefits. Together, these actions depict a nation understood as a closed space and in permanent risk of “invasion,” instead of a plural and dynamic project.
The central problem is that this negative nationalism not only polarizes public debate, but also fragments social cohesion. By drawing sharp divisions between “legitimate citizens” and “others”—whether immigrants, religious minorities, or political opponents—the democratic values of inclusion, equality, and respect that have historically sustained the United States are weakened.
Faced with this exclusionary model, positive nationalism represents another path: that of recognizing collective identity without denying diversity. It is a nationalism that strengthens national pride by understanding that different cultures, languages, and traditions do not weaken, but rather enrich the nation. It is an open vision, which conceives the country as a project in constant transformation.
A current and powerful example of this inclusive approach is found in the music and public discourse of Bad Bunny. From his artistic platform, he has promoted a Puerto Rican cultural nationalism that is not confined to narrow borders. In one of his concerts, broadcast by Amazon, he exclaimed: “Where are the Dominicans, who are also Puerto Ricans?” With this phrase, he vindicated a shared Caribbean identity, where pride in Puerto Rico extends to brotherhood with neighboring peoples.
Far from being a trivial anecdote, this gesture breaks with nationalism that excludes and defines rigid belongings. It sends a clear message: national pride does not imply rejection of others, but the affirmation that culture is strengthened through exchange, diversity, and solidarity.
The impact of this type of positive nationalism is also reflected in the way it inspires beyond those who directly share that identity. After the closing of Bad Bunny’s historic residence in Puerto Rico, the official Oprah Daily account shared Gayle King’s reaction, who enthusiastically asked: “How can I become Puerto Rican?!” This exclamation synthesizes how inclusive nationalism not only mobilizes internal pride, but also awakens admiration and a desire for belonging in those who observe from outside.
The history of the United States confirms that its greatness has been linked to diversity. Each migratory wave has brought with it economic dynamism, political advances, and cultural richness. To deny that reality would be to ignore the very foundation of national identity. The country would not be what it is today without the constant sum of origins, languages, and traditions.
The discourses of fear and polarization will continue to try to gain ground, but cultural examples like that of Bad Bunny show that there is another path. A nationalism that celebrates diversity and turns it into collective pride does not build walls, but opens doors; it does not divide, but inspires.
Ultimately, the true strength of a nation is not in excluding those who are different, but in its ability to integrate and grow with all its members. That is the challenge of our time: to choose a nationalism that unites instead of fracturing, and that converts plurality into the basis of a shared future.
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