A Country Resisting Change: Protests, Politics, and the True Meaning of Patriotism

Given the sickening events of the past week, I reflected upon the sickening incidents of police brutality and racism in America over the past few years. I then reflected upon our country's political culture throughout the past half-century. In true form, I went on a rant--and nobody was left safe. I feel that this gives a fair evaluation of where America's at on a macro level and where we should aim to be tomorrow. Please, read this carefully!

I know this is long—very long—but please give it a read (y’know, with your morning coffee or something). It’s not just about the events of the past week, or even just police brutality incidents. This is about the mindset of Americans for generations.

“Patriotism isn’t just the blind love of our flag. It is the work we do to improve our country for every American.”

Give this article a read. Love him or hate him, “The Governator” just summed up everything I’ve felt about the state of our country throughout the past few years—and in one succinct sentence. As for me, I’m going for the longer route.

I love America and the valiantly fought for rights that we have to speak and live freely. Having studied other countries that attack their citizens and infringe upon their rights in new ways every single day (poor China and Hong Kong 😥), I can no longer take these rights lightly. That being said, I’m quite tired of the patriotic circle jerk we’ve found ourselves in: America is always perfect, the flag is a sacred god, and anyone who’s pissed off at this country, its laws, or its leadership should flock to another country because they’re “treasonous” and “un-American”.  We have holidays where we celebrate our country by flipping burgers and waving flags by muscle memory—showing shit-eating grins all the while. We never really say why, and whenever we do, the word “freedom” just gets tossed around like the beanbags onto the July 4th cornhole board. I see enough (sometimes tacky—take note, bumper sticker companies!) U.S.A. gear plastered everywhere to support an entire economy of patriotic products. We spend so much time talking about how amazing America is, but whenever there is a controversial problem or issue that needs solving, there is either silence or terrible division.

I think this is a good stopping point for a quick disclaimer: this isn’t a Democrat or a Republican-led issue. People who support either party have contributed to what I call “patriotic and political presbyopia (blindness)”. Looking back at cultural artifacts from before I was born, this issue has been brewing for years. Don’t think that my rant has any left or right bias, as my personal political views are complex as it is. I have issues with both major parties as of late, but I’ve been sadly mourning the last bits of hope quickly burning away within the Republican Party. Hopefully they’ll return someday. And yes, it actually makes my body feel as sad as losing a loved one (which is why some people should stay THE HELL away from politics! 😂).

That aside, I often think back to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, when protesters were deemed “un-American pinko commie scum” for wanting to end segregation. MLK was hated by many in his time, if you can believe that. There are parallels to that time and today: major problems (LGBTQ rights, equality for African Americans, and issues not involving identity or background) are going unsolved, as a large proportion of the electorate sees any major change as “un-American” or part of some “deep state agenda” (and, horridly, this is often a vessel for anti-Semitism and racism). A lot of this is due to people trusting fake news that’s peddled as real news (fake being InfoWars, Breitbart, Occupy Democrats, or even “lower” sites), but I could go on for paragraphs about that. Distraction aside, you should be able to see the parallels between now and 50 years ago regarding resisting change and discussion in this country. If you’re  not seeing these, open your eyes: it’s happening every day, in everything from energy policy, to the Federal Reserve, to issues of race.

So yes, many Americans don’t like it when others speak out in bold ways whenever it becomes clear that our great country has a flaw. Those offended claim that America isn’t meant for change, and that any attack on the flag, the national anthem, and national symbols and customs is automatically an act of treason. While symbolic (especially the flag in its design—and it is a beautiful one!), these symbols mean nothing when stood next to our values and how America treats people from day to day.

Going through Europe early this year, I noticed that residents of each country there celebrated the characteristics that made their land unique (food, celebrations, etc.). They don’t base their pride in frivolous stuff, and they take it very seriously: so much so that they don’t feel the need to scream about how great their country is all of the time. It has its time and place. They’re also quick to make changes if need be (think of all of the change that Germany has gone through since 1900 to steer it to the improved place it is today!). That’s a bit different than how things go over here.

Here’s the fundamental problem: Our country’s values aren’t rooted in whatever laws and social norms are currently in place. Like in any society, these change constantly. Instead, our values are rooted in fighting for what’s needed for all Americans, protecting freedoms, and holding leaders accountable. This will never change. We love the status quo, and any potential move away from that is seen as blasphemy. We’re so rooted in our past, which does make sense given our stable democratic-republic state for hundreds of years. France, Germany, and others have had their entire systems of government rebuilt from the ground up several times in the past few centuries—and have been quick to abandon the past to move to greener pastures. We’re different because of our stability, and that’s not something to complain about. Nonetheless, we are creatures of habit—even if the habits are unwanted or worse, harmful.

If you don’t like the status quo—whether it regards racial discrimination, taxation, abortion, or something else—it is your PATRIOTIC RESPONSIBILITY to speak up! THIS is what patriotism is all about—criticizing leadership and norms when we need to and providing for a better America for all. It’s not about waving around a piece of cloth and singing a song.

The other thing that frankly pisses me off is the godlike following that both Obama and Trump have had from their respective supporters. These presidents, in the minds of many, can do no wrong and must never be criticized. I've seen fans of both cheer on Obama/Trump during 4th of July celebrations instead of America itself. The other day, I passed a Trump flag raised high into the air--and no U.S. flag to accompany it. The logic here is endlessly flawed. “If I’m a Republican, I can’t criticize Trump for one executive order I don’t like, or else I’d be committing a cardinal sin (or with Democrats and Obama).” “If I’m a Democrat, I MUST LOVE Joe Biden—if I wish another Democrat were the 2020 nominee, I’d be sinning against the party.” See the flawed logic that prevents freedom of thought and choice? George Washington was right when he predicted the danger of political parties! It’s frankly sickening for me to see people love one mortal man more than their own country. Our country was BORN out of criticizing improper leadership—and our founding fathers gave us the right to do the same to all leaders in government. Not everyone seems to want to use it, however.

And I’m sorry, but it just has to be said: Trump is accelerating this sort of ignorance of issues and the cult of personality around leadership more than any American politician in recent history. Once again, not a Democratic or a Republican thing—this is a dig on the man himself, and nobody else. The constant circle jerk political rallies, the chants that sound like they’re straight from a preschool classroom (or a George Wallace rally), the constant complaining of “unfair treatment” instead of just shutting up and doing the job—all of it is a blemish in America.

Ronald Reagan, one of my favorite presidents that Trump often gets compared to (WHY??), would projectile vomit at this sort of behavior. It sickens me to hear leaders say how we’re returning to the Reagan days when today’s leadership (or lack thereof) is anything but Reaganesque. As much as the Trump-obsessed claim that they’re giving the POTUS a pass on his poor character, character is a necessary trait for a country’s leader, and any criticism of it is valid. Many who say that Trump could do no wrong we’re quick to criticize Clinton’s extramarital affairs, but seem to forget about Trump’s pornstar wife—his third. And to be clear, Trump supporters are not inherently bad people. Many are in my family, and they are loving and caring of people of all backgrounds. There are many that I don’t know that are, indeed, bad actors. I feel that many of these people support the GOP more than Trump deep down, but have been sucked into supporting both the good and bad parts of his administration for the sake of party loyalty. Parties suck, don’t they?

I bet a few of you have had thoughts like these, but only for the issues you deeply care about. Fair enough. Frankly, it wasn’t until a half an hour ago that this thought process on true patriotism led me to finally understand Kaepernick’s protests. It makes me sad to not see someone standing for the anthem, not just because I want every American of every background to sing the song celebrating our freedoms, but also because Kaepernick felt so disaffected by the current state of affairs in his country to feel the need to do what he did. But it makes sense to me now. As counterintuitive as it seems to many (even me!), Colin wasn’t saying “I hate America” with his knee: he was saying, “I’d like a better and more fair America. I want to rally support and have meaningful talks to make it happen”.

You don’t always have to agree with the method of a protest, but you should understand what concerns protesters are trying to raise. I detest anyone who burns the flag, especially after knowing so many people who have bravely defended it. Whenever someone DOES burn a flag, however, nobody seems to ask them why they did or what is upsetting them. The focus immediately shifts to their “un-American act” and how the very act of protesting is an attack on the country. Thus, the issues never get solved and more protests occur. Brilliant, isn’t it?

So to conclude: I love America. I wouldn’t change living here for the world. I want to see it become a better place for all, meaning that the many issues that we have (some that I’m not even aware of) should be solved. I also don’t like violent protests at all, but we all must understand that protesters—peaceful or non peaceful—just want to be listened to. We SHOULD listen to them and SOLVE these issues!!! However, I don’t think it’s right to protest violently. But who am I to tell someone how to protest—especially after the injustice that has occurred to them? And why is it that some bold protesters are cheered in some circles and not in others. The Michigan statehouse protesters and the Minneapolis protesters both had violent and nonviolent people among them. Both sets of protesters should be respectfully heard by government so that changes can be made. Alas, party lines seem to prevent people from supporting a particular group’s right to protest. Let’s stop that.

Don’t blindly support anything in this country: politicians, policies, or customs—think for yourself! Support who and what you want to support, even if it’s a bit contradictory. And if you love to wave the flag and celebrate July 4th (like me!), there’s nothing wrong with you!! Just be sure that you’re not blind to our country’s issues or not too quiet when the time comes to speak up against something that’s disconcerting to you. My family is proud to hang the flag outside our home, and that will never change. But even still, patriotism cannot beat out standing up for needed changes in America. That has led us on a downward spiral for years and if we don’t correct this, we’ll keep heading that way. It’s our responsibility—Left and Right—to speak up for what we care about and to listen to others, as controversial as it may be.

And think whatever you want from this post. It may have made you a little uncomfortable. If you comment, let your thoughts marinate for a little bit—and wait until you calm down a little. But DO NOT for a SECOND think that I hate this country or that I’m “un-American”—unlike many, I love this country enough to want to leave it in a better place than I found it, even if it means being constantly critical. Ben Franklin would think that’s pretty cool. Joe McCarthy would call me a commie (which is so far from the truth), but he was wrong about a lot of things. May our country—and those who protect it—forever prosper.

And one last thing: whether you’re Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, or Green (or independent!):  never be afraid to defy your PARTY on a particular issue or be against a particular politician. Make sure these parties know how you’d like them to represent you. Spend some time today thinking about what your favorite party and its leaders could do better.

We can’t let our past stop us from creating a better future. Sorry for the clutter. Hope you get the point. And please, God, bless America.

AJK