True Patriotism: Striving for a Better America
When I looked at the calendar and discovered it was time to write a 4th of July blog, I must admit, I felt a bit of trepidation. It is, after all, a tricky time for the annual discussion of ‘patriotism.’ But ‘patriotism’ is, more and more, a word whose subtext and connotations threaten to overtake its actual meaning. For those of us who grew up during the 90s and 2000s, ‘patriotism’ was a cultural phenomenon. Shows like The West Wing, JAG, and 24 glorified and glamorized the American political and military institutions, while the country simultaneously experienced strong economic and technological growth. “America is the best” seemed a widespread sentiment that surged through the public consciousness, particularly in the wake of 9/11. Suddenly, the Star-Spangled Banner was screen-printed onto every piece of merchandise imaginable, becoming an unlikely wardrobe staple for middle schoolers and fashion models, alike. This version of patriotism has been seen less and less in recent years, and while it is natural to yearn for what we perceive as simpler days, I would argue that we are now in a time where ‘patriotism’ has the potential to be more powerful in effecting real change than ever before.
In 1790, George Washington remarked, "The establishment of our new Government seemed to be the last great experiment for promoting human happiness." Over two centuries later, this experiment is still ongoing. Washington's words remind us that our government was designed to be dynamic, capable of and responsible for evolving to meet the changing needs of its people. This vision of continuous improvement is at the heart of true patriotism. Consider the words Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1789, “On similar ground it may be proved that no society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a perpetual law. The earth belongs always to the living generation. They may manage it then, and what proceeds from it, as they please, during their usufruct.” The labor of patriotism and citizenship evolves with each generation. Or, more simply, the work of the great experiment is not done.
A crucial part of any experiment is learning from failures. Throughout our history, the United States has faced numerous challenges, mistakes, and injustices that underscore the importance of striving for equality and peace. Embracing these lessons and working to build a future informed by our past is not anti-American or unpatriotic. On the contrary, it is the most profound expression of patriotism.
The definition of ‘patriotism’ is a short one: “love for or devotion to one's country.” But anyone who has ever loved another person will tell you that love is work. It is not blind admiration or oversimplifying someone to their best qualities. Love is the willingness to comprehend another as they truly are and help them grow into who they want to be. We help our friends, partners, and children learn and grow because we love them. We must do the same for our country.
Our world is vastly different from the one Washington knew. The challenges we face today—climate change, global pandemics, social inequality, and increasingly polarized political ideologies—are on our screens and on our minds constantly. They seem overwhelming, but they are challenges worth tackling. The days of symbolic patriotism may well be out the door (putting on an American flag bandana isn’t going to fix inflation), but the need for true patriotism is ever-present.
The patriotic work of July 4, 1776, looked different, but it was still work. Drafting the Declaration of Independence involved painstaking deliberation, endless debates, and meticulous revisions. It required long meetings in a sweltering room, reading extensive documents, handling paperwork, and writing countless letters. It may be framed in hindsight as exciting, brave, and incendiary (and it was those things), but it was also a long and tedious process. If we strip away the Hollywood musical score and sense of reverence that we all-too-easily ascribe to the past, we see that the American revolution was just a group of citizens who loved their home and wanted to see it change to align with their vision of what it could be. This optimistic, determined, and enduring version of patriotism is still alive and still needed. Voting, volunteering, and participating in our local communities are just some of the tools of real patriotism and are the practical application of hope for a better future.
Wanting to see growth and change in your country is not hatred, it is the essence of patriotism and a foundational American value. And, by that same thought process, we don’t have to condone or ignore all of our nation’s mistakes to celebrate its founding. For all its imperfections, this is where we are building our lives. True patriots—those who understand the complexity of love—know the power of honesty and accountability; they are the only way forward.
I have already quoted both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson because both men spoke eloquently on the future of the United States and how constant evaluation and adaptation was necessary for its success. There is truth, insight, and patriotism in both of their statements, but it's a statement of another man—a man that Washington and Jefferson would not have considered an equal—that speaks even more profoundly on this issue. James Baldwin, in Notes of a Native Son, wrote, “I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. I think all theories are suspect, that the finest principles may have to be modified, or may even be pulverized by the demands of life, and that one must find, therefore, one's own moral center and move through the world hoping that this center will guide one aright.”
Patriotism is not trite flag-waving; it is the forge from which all improvements in our country are wrought. It demands engagement, critical thought, and a willingness to embrace change. This July 4th, let us remember that our love for America is best demonstrated through our dedication to making it a better place for all its citizens. Let us honor the idea in which it was birthed by participating in our democracy, advocating for justice, and striving to create a more perfect union. True patriotism is about looking forward with hope and determination, ready to face the challenges ahead with a commitment to progress and equality. By doing so, we shape not only our nation, but also ourselves.
