Patriotism can be defined as love and devotion to one’s country. It’s a relationship, of sorts, focused on faithfulness to your country and a drive for its constant betterment. And yet, recently, patriotism in America has become conflated with hatred and supremacy. In order to be patriotic, you have to believe that your country is the best in the world, and that anyone outside of it is evil. You must think that America has no reason to improve, and that any thoughts of wanting to change things about it, means you don’t love it. But honestly, it’s quite the opposite.
Believing in the goodness of your country, and knowing that changes need to be made to create a just and equal society, is exactly what patriotism is. Complacency will lead to regression. We will no longer be the greatest country on the planet. So on this Fourth of July, let us look at what exactly is being celebrated, and figure out how to express our patriotism without denying our need for change.
July 4, 1776 commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the thirteen colonies’ independence from England. But the Declaration of Independence isn’t solely about the separation of the colonies from England. In fact, the preamble has the famous words “all men are created equal”. The Declaration of Independence is less about independence, and more about equality.
And yet, the Fourth of July has become about supremacy and unconditional loyalty. This country was literally founded by immigrants and populated by immigrants, but now you’re only patriotic if you are against immigration. The holiday has become symbolized by frat boys chanting “U-S-A!” and chugging Budweiser amid shouts of “MAGA!” and “Fuck Obama!
The Statue of Liberty reads: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” It could be considered the icon of America, and here we are denying immigrants seeking asylum, rejecting the tired and poor searching for freedom.
So this year, as we celebrate the birth of America (and a day off work), I hope we can all remember what we’re really celebrating. We have to remember that the Declaration of Independence is about equality and unalienable rights. We are all created equal and worthy of basic safeties and freedoms.
Just because I believe that our country is currently far from stellar doesn’t mean I don’t love my homeland. It just means that I know it can be better. Much better. And I really hope that amidst the celebration of America’s independence, everyone else can recognize that too, and we can begin to shift the narrative of our country away from supremacy and hatred, and closer to inclusion and acceptance.
By: Cianna Allen