Patriotism and independence

As we approach our national birthday, I wonder about the future of the holiday–and the future of patriotism in general. We notice that some friends and neighbors observe the holiday with great reverence while others immerse themselves in the trappings of summer holidays that have made the recreational pursuits of Labor Day and Memorial Day eclipse the meaning of those holidays.

That’s OK. We want to see people spend time with family, grill a few steaks, and enjoy the blessings of summer. We want the Marina at Red Willow to have a busy weekend. We want Sehnert’s to run out of hamburger buns and watch sports and grilling accessories fly off Norris Avenue shelves.

My concerns aren’t about how we observe the holiday differently but about the more significant trends, some of which appear to be generational. About ten years ago, a Pew study first demonstrated that younger generations were less “patriotic” than we mid-century models. It’s an old study, but when Baby Boomers, born in 1946 through 1964, were interviewed, 91% agreed with the statement, “I am very patriotic.” Among Gen Xers (‘65-80), 86% agreed, and with Millennials (‘81-96), the number dropped to 70%. At the time, Gen Z (‘97-’12) wasn’t yet considered, but I can’t imagine that matters have improved.

Is Patriotism waning? Is it being redefined? Or is it just a matter of attrition, a predictable decline in engagement proportional to our distance from 1776?

The old curmudgeon in me is tempted to feed on the right-wing trope that kids aren’t being taught American history and civics anymore. It’s a decidedly sour view of the world and underestimates our schools, but I have seen enough supporting evidence that I can’t dismiss that notion entirely.

My more optimistic view is the hope that notions of patriotism are being redefined with deserved scrutiny. The younger folks I interact with are well-equipped with accounts of our sins. They can confidently enumerate a long list of our national wrongdoings, including our treatment of indigenous populations, participation in the Atlantic slave trade, CIA interventions in third-world countries, and capitalist imperialism. They can recite those (primarily legitimate) grievances, but do they know what life is like elsewhere?

I would be less than truthful if I told you that starting life on cold-war era Air Force bases, then being surrounded by career beltway bureaucrats in the shadows of national monuments, hasn’t clouded my view of our country. Of course, it has, but those sentiments pale in contrast to my exposure to history.

The more I learn about Europe before the American migration, the more I appreciate the opportunities that awaited the few bold souls who crossed the Atlantic. As Hobbes famously wrote, life had been “nasty, brutish, and short,” and for many, not far removed from what we would now consider slavery.

Although feudal serfs were not considered individual property, they were tied to the land and transferred with the estate when sold or inherited. Serfs were not physically shackled but did not enjoy freedom of movement. They could be caught and forcibly returned for discipline if they tried to leave and find a better life–and peasants needed their lord's permission to marry.

With those harsh realities as a backdrop, the founding fathers designed a system to free us of inflexible hierarchies, unchecked power, and tyranny, daring to declare that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed. We have the privilege of taking those notions for granted, but those were radical thoughts in 18th-century Europe and remain unrealized in many parts of the world today.

Here’s another area that bolsters personal patriotism: The First Amendment of the Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly, reflects our commitment to open discourse and dissent.

Think of Tiananmen Square in 1989, where students, intellectuals, and labor activists called for political reform. The Chinese government, having no obligation to free speech or the will of its citizens, declared martial law and suppressed the demonstrations with troops and tanks, ultimately opening fire on its citizens. The exact number of casualties remains unknown, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds to thousands and remains a censored topic in China today.

While younger generations too often conflate patriotism with the more virulent connotations of nationalism, I can respect their resistance to a blind faith in an “America, right or wrong” sensibility. We are far from perfect, and true patriotism must include the right to question and critique the government and societal norms.

The good news is that we can. Why? We can complain to our heart’s content because a unique group of people visualized the possible and put their rear ends on the line for an idea. They took the risks, and we enjoy the benefits. With that in mind, have a safe and healthy holiday weekend.