Democracy Today
American Patriotism
What is patriotism?
Patriotism, like a measurement system, it weighs how much pride you hold for where you come from or in America’s case, where you live. To what extent does patriotism end however? Who should have more than others, should there be separate amounts?
“Debates about the meaning of patriotism may rage in the margins of our political life. But in ordinary day to day America, where the real action is, nobody pays much (if any) attention, because the fundamentals of patriotism are generally taken for granted”
- Ira Chernus, “Who Says Conservatives Are More Patriotic?”
Chernus is absolutely correct. Day to day America is not patriotic. Why? Some could speculate that patriotism is dead because the American “experience” is not that of an equal one. Which, in it’s totality, is quite true. How can separate groups of people with separate histories feel the same way towards America? I believe that it is nearly impossible. The American Experience is inevitably affected by the past. Each person, or on a much broader spectrum, group of people, goes through a different American Experience which, can alter the amount of patriotism each person/group of people shows towards this country.
There is speculation that rich white people are more patriotic than any other group in America. Through the lens of the American Experience, that statement holds. Out of all other groups in America, they may have it the “easiest” or have had pretty solid lives and a history where they succeeded towards the future. Just about every other group cannot say the same. The “struggle” that is often tacked to the board of American labels does not belong to this group of people. Not enough to hear them complain that is. With that, it could be said that they are the most patriotic of us all because their experience has been pleasant. They did/ do not have to struggle for much and associate that with living here in the U.S. And if they are grateful, they love America for it.
Impoverished minorities do not feel the same way towards America. With great reason. They find it awfully difficult to have pride towards a country that has caused them almost nothing but oppression. Their anger for themselves and their ancestors overrides any respect that could be had for this country. However, this does not change the fact that living in America vs. just about anywhere else is indeed a privilege. Fifty years ago, this could have been harder to say. Even through the social oppression, this argument still stands. As America was still the most built up and economically thriving country in the world. You had more of a shot of becoming something here than anywhere. This should be, in my opinion, the base amount of patriotism any American has for this country.
According to the Census Bureau, in 2008, the voting turnout by race in order was: White, Hispanic, Black, Asian. The voting turnout by income in order was as shown:
This information shows statistically, who cares for America. Voting is indeed a way of expressing patriotism.
In my opinion, living in America alone is a privilege that most take for granted. Should you feel patriotic to the country you live in? Yes. However it should only go so far. At very best, you should be grateful to live in America itself. Do you need to be patriotic towards the people and various systems within? I do not think that should be so. The dislike towards the numerous systems in America should be turned into fuel so you can first, make changes, and second, grow to love where you live.
