God Bless America (I Think)

With the everyday screaming matches plastered on television, the hatred all over social media, and the incredibly venomous insults that turn what should only be political disagreements into squabbles involving appearance, family members, and IQ levels, the so-called unity of the United States seems to be a long gone remnant of the past (if it ever existed in the first place). And as a result, the one thing meant to unite us has become yet another wedge driving us apart. Patriotism, defined by Merriam-Webster as love for or devotion to one’s country has become an increasingly controversial word in recent times. After all, how can we profess our love to our country when we’re not even sure what it means to be an American anymore?

One Possible Definition

In the wake of President Trump’s election and “Make America Great Again” movement, patriotism has been more commonly linked to the stereotypical American. Think about gun rights, Christianity, the American flag, the military. It’s the kind of people who tend to hang the American flags on their trucks or in their front lawns. This form of patriotism has also been the reasoning used behind President Trump’s political views of closing the borders, isolating the United States, and allowing us to achieve the greatness of our glory days all by our lonesome. It stresses respect and obedience to tradition and a return to our American values that we have lost throughout time.

On The Other Hand…

This clashes greatly with the viewpoint that anybody can be considered American. Known as the world’s melting pot, the United States is famous for being a place for immigrants of all cultures, religions, and ethnicities to come and fuse together to develop new lifestyles and beliefs. Despite the majority of people speaking English, our country does not possess an official language which is a reflection of the fact that the United States isn’t built around one ethnicity or culture like the norm. By strictly defining what it means to be an American, we run the risk of excluding people who are culturally different but legally the same.

And if we look back to the origin of the United States, our entire government is built off of the early colonists’ longing for freedom of speech, religion, and protest against an oppressive government. Americans consider themselves the rule-breakers and rebels of the world. From the Pilgrims embarking on a dangerous journey an ocean away, the overthrow of the monarchy to achieve independence to the takeover of the Wild West, American culture is centered around taking risks, disregarding authority, making our own rules.

The controversial kneeling of NFL players during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality towards African Americans and other political issues is the clearest example of the ongoing conflict between Americans. Both critics and supporters consider themselves the patriots. And they both have a point.

The kneeling players, well they’re exercising their freedom of speech and standing up for what they believe in, the very values that we Americans died for. Fighting against oppression just like our Founding Fathers! Oh but wait! We must show respect to the American flag, the symbol of our country, the people who protect us and die for us. It MUST be given the reverence it deserves!

So why is a simple definition so important, you ask? Our definition of patriotism influences the perspective that we American citizens have when looking at our country and at each other. How we define patriotism and the people we associate with patriotism defines our country. If a patriot can only be a stereotype, then the United States can only be for that stereotype. The beauty of the United States is that out of the millions of citizens, everyone can and should be considered a patriot.

And I believe that’s where we’ll be able to find our common ground. Because no matter how much we yell at each other and call each other names, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s because we all care about our country even if we don’t like it all the time. Here’s to a country where patriotism doesn’t have to mean apple pies and flags but a mutual understanding and respect for each other and our opinions.

Even though apple pie is pretty good.