In increasingly uncertain times, America’s political divide has grown wider and wider. By now, it is hard to find a single topic that both sides of the aisle can agree upon and take decisive action on. In fact, even the central idea of pride for the nation creates incredible animosity between the two parties. With hyperpatriotism on the rise in the Republican Party, many Democrats have turned the opposite route. Although conservatives have always rallied under an aggressively “American” front, modern hyper-partisanship has proved effective in appropriating the nation’s “uniting” symbols for a specific, non-united cause.
Conservatives find power in America’s roots, relying on conserving the traditional ideals of when our country was founded. Thus, they often utilize important national symbols such as the American flag to represent their pride in the country’s values. In the times of social media, more aggressive patriotism can be seen in many forms. Many far-right extremists sport excessive American memorabilia, decorating their possessions with the iconic stars and stripes. Similarly, many Republicans celebrate American traditions, such as the Fourth of July, with a more extreme fervor. Even the phrase “I love my country” has become associated with a right-leaning view. While these simple observations don’t necessarily present any problems on their own, they are often paired with a sense of superiority over other countries and subsequently the people from those other countries. This closely related secondary attitude, also known as nationalism, represents a sentiment mostly unique to far-right conservatives. As seen throughout history, too much extreme nationalism can quickly get out of hand, resulting in dangerous fascist regimes and discriminatory ideals. Because of this association between patriotism and nationalism, the majority of Americans on the other side of the aisle have distanced themselves from displaying love for their country. However, the question remains: should democrats express their pride in America? Is there even any pride to express?
Due to the party’s fundamental values, focused on providing equitable access to all people, democrats tend to have a lot of concerns with the way the country is run currently. In the face of discrimination, corruption, and increasing partisanship, already-skeptical Americans are not quite as excited to cheer on their country’s “victories”. In fact, many view patriotism as an ignorant stance, a way to indicate that the country’s political issues can be easily ignored. Patriotism seems almost offensive to some, as it disregards the struggles many people still face due to the country’s lack of support for certain groups today. A clear sentiment on the left can be somewhat simplified down to “If the government isn’t doing what I want, why should I be proud of the government?” Common points of contention include border control, reproductive rights, and the US’s foreign policy. Because of the clear discontinuity between specific American people’s values and the current American government’s values, democrats have turned away from a prideful view of their country.
However, patriotism has a place on both sides of the political spectrum. Obviously, everyone has some aspects of the country that they appreciate. The United States hosts incredibly diverse cultures, provides incredible opportunities, influences other countries around the world, and has a democratic system designed to give governing power to the people. While these important ideals come with their own drawbacks and caveats, the foundation of America generally rivals most other countries in terms of individual liberties and the possibility for an individual to succeed. Even more importantly, patriotism can help stir the exact reforms that democrats wish to push. Some patriotic leftists argue that the fight for a better country can only stem from a love for the country they wish to improve. Without any faith in the democratic system of America or any pride for the people within, no change can truly be made. In his article “Democrats Need Patriotism More Than Ever,” Jedediah Britton-Perdy labels this improvement-focused patriotism as “July 5 style,” a reference to the abolitionist movements following Americans’ supposed independence. He describes how faith in American values allowed abolitionists to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and call out the hypocrisy of the government’s actions. Perhaps progressives can find a way to balance their pride in the innate American values of equal rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, while also acknowledging the government’s current failures to secure those rights. Maybe there is a way to reintroduce innate pride in America as a bipartisan agreement, rather than a co-opted ideal utilized by discriminatory far-right politicians. But for any of this to occur, both parties must come to a mutual understanding of American values, a hope held by much of the American people as the political divide widens.