As the war in Iraq continues, I find my sense of patriotism waning. Each day brings new criticisms, new negativities and little hope for an end to the conflict.
I spoke to a student from Germany while I was traveling abroad last interterm and tried to explain to her how it felt to be an American during these times.
“I don’t agree with my government, my president or even the reasons why we’re in Iraq,” I told her, “but I support our troops and the sacrifice they’re making for us back at home.” At the time I was offended by the expression on her face, a mix between confusion and disgust. But as she began to explain what it was that she heard, I began to understand my own hypocrisy. The subtleties were in my language. My government, my president, a possessive pronoun she said would never be heard from a German. I noticed this same tactic is also used in the news. On FOX, it’s “our president”, but on CNN it’s “the president.” These subtle differences and others like it are faint, yet effective biases.
From birth we’re inundated with the ideals of Americanism. After 9-11 one of the worst things a person could be was unpatriotic. It was a feared insult, a near expletive. It’s not just unpopular to be critical of your country, but bad things will happen to you. Just look at Bill Maher and the Dixie Chicks.
In general, we are proud to be Americans. We see it as a badge of honor. Like Bill Murray says in “Stripes,” “We’ve been kickin’ ass for 200 years. We’re 10 and 1.”
The American flag is flown year round with in-your-face pride. I’m so used to seeing the stars and stripes that I never stopped to wonder, is all of this patriotism a good thing? Or is it blinding us from being critical of the nation we believe protects us? Philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr sees patriotism as nothing more than “the hollowness of the pretensions by which the powerful classes enlist their slaves in the defense of their dominions.” I hope patriotism isn’t enslaving me, but it is something to ponder.
Al Franken spells it out pretty well in his über liberal book “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them.” He says we need to love our country like grown ups, not like 4-year-olds love their mommies. We need to learn to accept that our country, in all of its greatness, has made mistakes and needs to be held accountable.
Patriotism isn’t all bad. Putting “Support our troops” stickers on your car isn’t hurting anybody. But maybe Mr. Franken is right. Maybe it is time for our country and our governmentto own up to its mistakes, admit its imperfections and cut its losses.