As the Fourth of July comes and goes in America, we all witness an amazing phenomenon. Everyone in the nation become a red, white and blue spectacle to behold. Man, we become super patriots for a day or two! And it goes beyond the fireworks and hoopla parades — people are decked out in American flag gear singing the praises of the land of the free and the home of the brave!
But isn’t this advertisement of the celebration sort of just a costume? We drum up the love of our country for a day as an excuse to wear flashy clothes, overeat grilled meats and dump red and blue cocktails down our gullets. It’s a party scene, and it isn’t much different than a brief excuse to wear green and red at Christmas while we binge on commercialism. That isn’t about Jesus. It’s just another holiday that’s an excuse to dress up and get crazy. Party on, America!
But what if that were everyday life? If national pride became routine, much as it did in the months following the 9/11 tragedy. A curious movement we’ve seen over the last 30 years has been the Republican party’s tendency to brandish the American flag like they’re advertising the size of their genitalia.
It’s possible this was sparked by the liberal protests against the Vietnam War in the 60’s and 70’s. Because during the Reagan years, there was a marked rise in conservative worship of the American brand. The final stage of the Cold War probably helped bring this patriotism to a peak, as well.
But beyond the Lee Greenwood and misunderstood Bruce Springsteen songs, what fuels this patriotic identity? Are conservatives more proud of their country than liberals? Do they have a greater appreciation of the constitution? Am I going win the Olympic gold medal in the luge this winter?
The answer to all of these questions except the last one is no. But somewhere along the line, being Republican has become synonymous with being patriotic. And what’s more interesting is that the left has embraced its role in the defiance. Perhaps it’s in protest to the American machine they’ve come to oppose: wars, plutocracy, and an oligarchy that oppresses the lower class.
But these principles aside, it shouldn’t mean they would support their own country less than anyone else. Beyond the flag burners of the 1960’s and the pseudo-socialists of the current era, these people still clearly are rooting for the nation in which they live — even if they don’t approve of all its policy. Yet aren’t conservatives also bitter about some directions of America? They certainly sound like they are.
Regardless, the right wing has been laying claim to American fealty and even our veterans for years now. Even if some of their outlooks aren’t in line with the principles of the American dream, there has been a Republican monopoly on the ideal of patriotism. Their manhole-sized American flag pins and their worship of all that is star-spangled presents an air of proud superiority over their Democratic counterparts.
In 2012, I was privy to attend a Paul Ryan pep rally in Florida before the election. I’m not sure I’d ever seen anything so over-the-top “American.” The amount of red, white and blue decor was enough to make me colorblind. There were gaudy outfits and banners that made me feel like I was being brainwashed. Of course, the truth is that these Republican supporters of Mitt Romney were just going out of their way to show their Americanism. Nevermind that it seemed like they were over-compensating like a tube sock inside a pair of tight pants.
The truth is that these people do love America. The other truth is that almost all Americans do, too. Liberals, conservatives, moderates, and small dogs in cute outfits all love their country. Nobody can lay claim to being “more patriotic.” We often just have a different perspective on what being patriotic means.
Being proud of your country is nothing to wag a finger at. But it’s important to remember that simply being born in a certain region is not a personal accomplishment. It again goes back to the trope of sports fandom. We should advertise our nation itself with some restraint, as what is truly important is what we personally stand for.
No one party “loves America” more than another. All the colored propaganda in the world won’t change that. Being American is about recognizing freedom of different thought and acceptance of different cultures and beliefs. If you can’t do these things, then your red, white and blue underwear doesn’t really mean much.
My underwear means a lot to me, so I’m going to keep standing by the true principles of freedom.
Joanne
Nicely said.