American Nationalism: What are We Supposed to be Proud of?
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The American brand of nationalism, backed by white conservative Christianity, is dangerous, incredibly disturbing, and I feel like the Whitest Kids U Know really captured the essence of the pledge and our nationalistic ideals back in 2013, even before American Nazis freely roamed our streets.
“I Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, thank you very very very much for letting us little kids live here. It really really was nice of you. You didn’t have to do it. And it’s really not crazy to have little little kids mindlessly recite this anthem everyday and pledge their life to a government before their old enough to really think about what they’re saying. This is not a form of brain washing. This is not a form of brain washing. This is not a form of brain washing. This is really the greatest country in the whole world. All the other countries suck. And if this country ever goes to war as it often wants to do, I promise to help go and kill the other countries kids. God bless Johnson & Johnson. God bless GE. God bless Citi Group. Amen.”
This version feels more authentic, ya know? I mean, we could at least be kind of honest while we brainwash our children.
In all seriousness, as Americans, we are supposed to have this unwavering pride for America, but the truth is, how can we be proud when underneath all of its glorious propaganda and unwarranted claims to greatness, the basic structure of this country is based on gross oppression?
I mean, am I supposed to be proud to be from the nation that holds the world’s highest incarceration rates and uses the justice system to keep private prisons rich instead of their citizens safe?
Am I supposed to be proud that my country is the only developed nation that doesn’t allow all of its people access to basic healthcare?
Am I supposed to be proud of a country that is known around the world for its mass shootings of school children and lack of action to keep kids from being murdered in their classrooms?
Am I supposed to be proud that my country is the world’s largest arms dealers?
Am I supposed to be proud to live in a country where the police regularly abuse and even murder unarmed people of color without repercussions?
Proud to live in a country that locks children in cages because their parents are desperately trying to give them basic safety?
Proud to live in a country where a racist, narcissistic, sexual predator is leader?
The list goes on.
From the creation of this nation based on the genocide of natives, to our economy being built on enslaving people or color, to the war machine we have been for years and years. The real question is, why would any decent humans be proud of these sorts of American ideals?
Right now we find ourselves in a unique place in history and the silver lining – regardless of all the atrocities this country has inflicted in the name of a fabricated and twisted idea of freedom – is that there is hope for us yet.
When I look at the rising resistance, more and more people desperate for change, ready to fight to see love finally win, I am proud.
When I watch the freshman, congresswomen stand boldly against the machine of oppression that is D.C., I am proud.
When I stand among thousands of others all around this nation in protest of the crimes against humanity being committed by our country, there is hope.
When I see that you have finally become fed up enough to clap back against oppression every single damn time, I am so proud.
Because of you – the resistance, the world-changers, the bad ass bitches – I know that though today we stand in the middle of the trenches, hope shines through and one day we will build a country that doesn’t demand our pride, but actually deserves it.
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America sucks and has always sucked!
Vote democratic 2020.
America has done some great things. America has also done some heinous inhuman things. This isn't about "America sucks!" or "America's the best!", it's about recognizing both those facts and working to limit future acts of destruction and bad behavior while encouraging growth, peace, empathy and humanity and embracing the positives while never forgetting our failures.
I love America. I have been lucky enough to have been born here and I took advantage of the education system to learn the harder truths about our nation instead of just the warm and fuzzy version you give to eight year old's. Those who can't handle the truth and can't accept that we've done both great things and terrible things aren't any more patriotic than those of us who accept the apparent contradictions found when studying American history. I believe some, like Donald Trump, have never grown up and are still the 8 year old bully's on the playground who can't understand deep things. They can't grasp what it really means to be an American and they mask it with faux patriotic pomp, tribalism or declarations of "My country, right or wrong!".
The country has never demanded anything from these folks.
Some people choose to only focus on the bad things that need improving instead of the good that America has done.
I consider some of these "world-changers and bad ass bitches" to be ungrateful whelps.
There are plenty of alternatives if someone doesn't like it here.
Just look at how many are willing to break our laws to come here.
The same people who say that all they care about is their family and friends and their own neighborhood, are the same people who demand that the US have the biggest and baddest ass kicking military including a "space force" that will fight "our" battles across the galaxy, and the same people who want to "send back" to where they came from those who do not look or act like us.
My suspicion is that the US is the greatest country in the world, but not anywhere near perfect or above criticism.
How many folks have you heard claim that America is perfect?
Or that have never criticized anything at all in America?
Those that are so disillusioned with life in this country and can find only negative would probably be best served moving to another country. As was said above, this country is far from perfect but instead of the hate and dissention from all sides, drop the partisan crap and work together for the benefit of the people who elected them like they are supposed to.
People!!
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[deleted]
Dear Brother Bob Nelson: Thanks for seeding this article.
It gives us food for thought.
Shows us areas for improvement.
We do live in a great nation.
A country can be great, and made even greater by improvement.
One example today is that millions of Americans who need SNAP and school lunches to secure adequate nutrition for their children, immediate and extended family and themselves will lost his valuable tool.
Is there abuse in SNAP?
Yes. There is abuse in every system.
Is there a way to address the abuse while not washing out the baby with the bathwater?
Surely.
We need always to be alert to ways to improve things without ruining the good they do.
These are the kinds of monographs which help us to do just that.
Thanks.
We are grateful for your contribution in this as other matters.
P&AB.
Enoch.
Who is the "you" whom you are addressing?
I requested
My request is largely ignored. So I'm locking the seed.