In all seriousness...can someone please explain to me why someone should feel pride in something over which they had no control, such as country of origin or sexual orientation? It's like being proud of being a mammal. Pride can easily morph into something divisive and confrontational, with an air of superiority. Being superior in something, such as talent, effort or accomplishment is real and laudable. Being Irish or gay doesn't qualify. I love the parades, the preservation of tradition and the joyous coming together of like-minded individuals. It's the pride thing that seems unreasonable.

I LOVE me some Jujubee!!!

Re #1: In all seriousness, can someone answer a question that's been asked and answered thousands of times already, explained in numerous blogs, discussed endlessly with all the nuanced shades of the complete spectrum, argued over and resolved, all of which I could find with a few quick online searches?