Americans have developed a remarkably unhealthy attitude towards patriotism. On the one hand are those who despise their own country, who think that America was a historical mistake, or who think that any political involvement is completely pointless. On the other hand are those who embrace patriotism with passionate fervor, adopting a “my country right or wrong” approach that borders (and sometimes crosses into) fanaticism.
The problem is, both these attitudes are wrong.
It’s wrong to despise and look down on the country—flawed though it may be—that is your home and the defender of your basic livelihood. No, things may not be perfect in America, but the USA is certainly a better place to live than most nations in the world. Even the poor of our nation are generally far richer than average citizens of most countries for most of history.
It’s also wrong to idolize and worship a human institution that is clearly capable of many flaws. It’s wrong to become blind zealots willingly propagandized by whatever politicians happen to be promoting at the moment. No country is perfect, and things will never get better if you think that your preferred political party or presidential candidate can do no wrong. Myopic triumphalism is always a dead end.
We need people who love and care about their country who are also willing to be honest about their country’s shortcomings and are willing to step up to the plate to make things better.
The Solution: Civics
The path forward to a healthy approach to patriotism is the recovery of the classic study of civics. In contrast with the extremes of blind demagoguery or political disengagement, civics emphasizes the importance of having well-informed citizens who understand how their government works and are proactive in exercising both the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a free country.
Such an approach is desperately needed in the hyper-polarized political world we live in today. What America needs is not people who hate their government, but people who want to reform their government. What America needs is not people who blindly follow their leaders, but people who proactively step up to leadership. What America needs is not fanaticism or skepticism, but true, healthy patriotism.
True patriotism means being willing both to take pride in your nation of birth and to be honest about her failings. True patriotism eschews propaganda in favor of truth, partisanship in favor of justice, narcissism in favor of self-sacrifice. True patriotism is a form of loving your neighbor, seeking the good of others rather than just yourself. It doesn’t mean your nation can do no wrong. It doesn’t mean you’re better than everyone else in the world. True patriotism loves your country simply because it is your country, just like you honor your parents simply because they are your parents.
How to Show Patriotism: A Basic Guide
On this Fourth of July, many people are asking “Is patriotism worth it? Is there anything worth being patriotic about?” Certainly the question is worth asking at a time when politics is reaching record lows of disgracefulness. However, this question overlooks a crucial truth: patriotism doesn’t mean thinking your country is always the best. Patriotism means caring enough to try to make a difference.
This kind of patriotism doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It’s something that needs to be cultivated. Patriotism is a virtue that must be taught to our children and inculcated through the study of civics. It is a fire that needs to be continually kindled and fed in the hearts of adults. Without this intentional form of cultivation, patriotism is a virtue that will die.
To that end, here are is a list of suggestions of how to cultivate a healthy, civically-minded form of patriotism that both loves its country and strives to improve her. Some of these suggestions are rather basic, but in an age that has lost almost any sense of true patriotic responsibility, a back-to-the-basics approach is sometimes exactly what’s needed:
Get educated about national, state, and local politics. Learn how they operate, learn their history, learn about local and state culture and symbols. So many Americans are rather clueless about what’s going on in their civil society. Being well-informed is the first step to reinvigorating America. The study of history is particularly important, as it equips the man in the present-day to make wise decisions regarding the future.
In order to help with becoming well-informed, read non-partisan news sources such as Ground News and AllSides in order to get a balanced view of current events. Most news sources serve as a kind of aggrandized echo chamber, as mere sources of propaganda. Being able to see all sides of an issue is an important first step towards civic renewal.
Get involved in local politics to make your community better. You might not be able to fix your country, but you can make a difference in your local community. Particularly if you live in a medium-to-small town, a single voice can make a world of a difference.
Take the time to read important documents in American history. From the founding documents of the nation, to important political texts, milestone legislation, and memorable speeches, there’s a plethora of literature that makes up America’s rich heritage. Here’s a few suggestions to get started:
Common Sense by Thomas Paine (1776)
Thoughts on Government by John Adams (1776)
The Federalist Papers (1787/88)
The Bill of Rights (1791)
Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
Fourteenth Amendment (1868)
Pledge of Allegiance by Francis Bellamy (1892)
True Americanism by Theodore Roosevelt (1894)
Citizenship in a Republic by Theodore Roosevelt (1910)
The American’s Creed by William Tyler Page (1917)
Fourteen Points by Woodrow Wilson (1918)
Oath of Allegiance (1929)
Pearl Harbor Address by Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1941)
Marshall Plan Speech by George Marshall (1947)
Address at Rice University by John F. Kennedy (1962)
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. (1963)
Berlin Wall Speech by Ronald Reagan (1987)
Learn patriotic songs. Music is a powerful force, and being able to unite under common patriotic songs is an effective way to bring people together and cultivate love for your country. Here are a few more famous examples of patriotic songs and pieces of music:
‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ by Francis Scott Key and John Stafford Smith
‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ by John Philip Sousa
‘Hail to the Chief’ by Albert Gamse and James Sanderson
‘America the Beautiful’ by Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward
‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’ by Samuel Francis Smith
‘God Bless America’ by Irving Berlin
‘The Battle Cry of Freedom’ by George Frederick Root
‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ by Julia Ward Howe
‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’ by Patrick S. Gilmore
‘The Washington Post’ by John Philip Sousa
‘You’re a Grand Old Flag’ by George M. Cohan
‘American Salute’ by Morton Gould
And just for fun…
‘Fifty Nifty United States’ by Ray Charles
‘Seventy-Six Trombones’ by Meredith Wilson (from The Music Man)
‘Hogan’s Heroes March’ by Jerry Fielding (from Hogan’s Heroes)
‘Star Spangled Man With A Plan’ by David Zippel and Alan Menken (from Captain America: The First Avenger)
Read patriotic poems. Some American poets wrote specifically about themes of patriotism, self-sacrifice, and love for country. Others attempted to capture the “American spirit” in verse. Here are a few outstanding poems from some of the most well-known American poets:
‘A Nation’s Strength’ and ‘Concord Hymn’ by Ralph Waldo Emerson
‘Paul Revere’s Ride,’ ‘O Ship of State,’ and ‘The Song of Hiawatha’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
‘I Hear America Singing,’ ‘By Blue Ontario’s Shore,’ and ‘Song of the Broad-Axe’ by Walt Whitman
‘Our Flag’ by Margaret E. Songster
‘Fourth of July’ by Julia Ann Moore
‘The New Colossus’ by Emma Lazarus
Celebrate patriotic holidays. Scattered throughout the year, patriotic holidays provide a great opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of patriotism, where our country has come from, and how far we have yet to go to realize our common ideals.
Martin Luther King Jr Day (third Monday of January): reminds us of the importance of civil rights and the ongoing effects of centuries of slavery on the African-American community.
National Sanctity of Human Life Day (closest Sunday to January 22): reminds us of the ongoing battle to protect all human life, particularly those who cannot defend themselves.
President’s Day (third Monday of February): reminds us of our great leaders of the past, particularly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Memorial Day (last Monday in May): reminds us of the true cost of freedom and the importance of remembering the sacrifice of countless soldiers to make our country the place it is today.
Fidelity Month (month of June): this unofficial holiday started by Dr. Robert George promotes fidelity to God, family, and country rather than the shamelessness of Pride Month.
Juneteenth (June 19): reminds us of the tragic record of slavery in America, and the battle to overcome it which shaped the course of our nation’s history.
Independence Day (July 4): reminds us of our identity as a country, our core values, and what makes us different from the rest of the world.
Labor Day (first Monday of September): reminds us of the value of work and the common laborer in American society.
September 11: reminds us of the tragedy of 9/11/2001 and the ongoing need for vigilance to guard our freedoms.
Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October): instead of seeing these as two competing holidays, Solidarians can celebrate both holidays at once as a way to remember the history of both Native American and European American peoples.
Veterans Day (November 11): reminds us of the sacrifice made by those who have served in the military for our country.
Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November): reminds us to be thankful for the many blessings our country has received.
Finally, if you have the chance to travel, make sure to visit patriotic sites. Whether they are places of historic importance, or monuments to remind us what America is all about, national parks and memorials are gathering places that unite the country. Here’s a few of the most significant:
National Mall, Washington DC
National Archives, Washington DC
Statue of Liberty, New York City, New York
Independence Hall/Liberty Bell, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
Gettysburg National Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Mount Vernon, Virginia
Gateway Arch, St Louis, Missouri
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The lists here are just a springboard to get you thinking about how to revive healthy patriotism in your life and the lives of your families. What are some other ways to help cultivate a healthy sense of patriotism? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy Fourth of July, and God bless America!