Patriotism, a Positive or Negative?

Parker Wright
Nov 3 · 4 min read

After some digging I found the opinion piece that provides some examples for the divide within the country. David Brooks’s “The Uses of Patriotism” discusses why he believes anti-patriotic acts and mindsets are counterproductive, while the comment section of this article has completely different views on the subject.

Brooks’ starts off his article discussing the background of patriotism in the United States, which stems from Europeans coming to this land to create a better, more free society, based on democracy and progressiveness. Brooks discusses the intention of patriotism; the system created to bring the American people together both in times of hardship and celebration. The author explains that patriotism is the civic creed of america, it is what bonds us together regardless of our other identities, we are all Americans.

Brooks’ is arguing for patriotism, with the defense that being united under our countries name is much more effective and productive than criticizing and putting it down. He even goes into examples such as kneeling for the flag as being counterproductive. Brooks’ recognizes the protest as one towards systemic racism and oppression within the country, however he does not see the impact as such. He says, “Sitting out the anthem takes place in the context of looming post-nationalism. When we sing the national anthem, we’re not commenting on the state of America. We’re fortifying our foundational creed. We’re expressing gratitude for our ancestors and what they left us. We’re expressing commitment to the nation’s ideals, which we have not yet fulfilled.” In other words, it is not an expression of everything we did wrong as a nation, but an expression of perseverance and pride as a country striving for a better society.

As to be expected, Brooks’ article met fierce criticism in the comment section of the article. Some criticized the argument, some the language, and some the author. In the comment section, there was a common theme of calling out the argument to be biased and flawed. Some said that the “patriotic america” only existed within white, male society, built upon the oppression and destruction of other peoples and cultures. Activities such as hoisting an American flag, celebrating Columbus Day or Thanksgiving, are no longer seen as typical american society. Today many see the american flag as a symbol of oppression, patriarchy, bigotry, and the government that put all of this into place. To so many, America is not the gleaming light at the end of the tunnel where they will have freedom and happiness. Rather, it is a country, who’s expansion, government policies, wars, and societal standards have caused an incalculable amount of death and suffering, specifically to indigenous and minority peoples.

In the article, Brooks explains that if we lose patriotism we will lose the sense of being in this together, the unity of the american people, which as he explains is a terrible thing to lose. While it is self-evident that unity is a terrible thing to lose, the comment section points out that unity was never achieved in America. Throughout history, American society is to blame for the cause of so much of the distrust, hostility, political tension, and violence within our country. One commenter says, “Mr. Brooks, your columns of late have become so cloyingly nostalgic for an America that only existed between 1946–1960 and only for white folks that I can’t decide if you are Pollyanna or Big Brother.” The comment section, echoed similar themes of bias and the overlooking of the tragedy that is U.S. history. Brooks was defending a lost ideology while the comments are fighting whether that ideology ever truly existed. The divide between the author and the comment section is extreme however both points of view were not fully understood by either side.

Brooks is saying that patriotism is necessary for the coming together or unity of the American people, without that we will be unable to fight the future issues that our country will face, this is a self-evident claim because a house divided against itself cannot stand as Lincoln would say. While this may be true, the comment section is pointing out that the house has always been divided. The house being America, and America encompassing so many different peoples who have never fully experienced the freedom and equality that America was built to provide. This means patriotism in America will not be possible without what America has promised her people. Freedom, Equality, Justice and the Pursuit of Happiness.

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