WE’RE THE PATRIOTS
I was already thinking about patriotism before I saw the article that is inspiring this post. Three houses in a row starting with our next door neighbors are flying American flags this week in anticipation of the 4th of July this Friday and I was imagining that through such a gesture their occupants are most likely considering a vote for John McCain come November. But then I realized that I should hesitate more than ever in making such assumptions since our country has been so seriously wounded by the actions of perhaps the most awful administration in American history and Mr. McCain just happens to be a member of the same party. I then remembered that during my recent trip to Sweden and the Land of the Midnight Sun above the Arctic Circle, I met several Palestinians working at a restaurant in Kiruna (world’s geographically largest city!) with whom I had a very lively exchange and to whom I offered apologies for the misguided and tremendously hurtful policies of my government. They clearly appreciated the gesture.
But then along comes an article that does in many ways what my dear friend and outstanding progressive documentary filmmaker, Robbie Leppzer, did so well in his film about the anti-war movement in the Pioneer Valley in which we live. His film is entitled “Peace Patriots” and one of its premises is that there is a tradition in our country and in our state of deeply thoughtful, committed individuals seeking to prevent or end wars. He very consciously calls these folks patriots and so, too, does Bernie Horn whose article you will find below. By refusing to let those who would see us as anti-American have the last word - or any words that define our values or our patriotism - Robbie and Bernie are taking back what is most essential about our identities as free-thinking seekers of a more peaceful, green, egalitarian country. I hope this will provide some grist for your anticipation of this year’s 222 anniversary of our country on July 4th. And, coincidentally, speaking of patriots, I found this article on a website from which I receive daily updates - www.TomPaine.com
Liberals, lefties, Democrats, environmentalists, unionists, consumer advocates—all progressive types—suffer from negative stereotypes. Some of these stereotypes were invented by the right-wing messaging machine, and others are self-inflicted. The stereotype that we progressives are unpatriotic is a product of both.
It is true that the right wing has been engaged in a concerted campaign to persuade voters that progressives “hate America [1].” As far back as the 1984 Republican National Convention, Americans were told that progressives are the “blame America first [2]” crowd.
Here’s the right wing apostle of hate, Ann Coulter, on the show Hardball [3]:
MIKE BARNICLE: But do you believe that—do you believe that liberals hate America and the flag? Do you believe that?
ANN COULTER: Yes. In fact, I have documented it and written columns about it. They hate it much more than I had imagined.
BARNICLE: What about Bob Kerrey? What about Bob Kerrey? He’s a liberal. Does he hate the flag? Does he hate the flag?
COULTER: The anecdotal evidence is just, is just preposterous in this regard. I have footnotes. I do back this up. I have quotes in the book.
More recently, conservatives tried to smear Barack Obama on the grounds that he attended a “hate America sermon [4]” preached by Reverend Jeremiah Wright. You can bet that the right wing will wave their “Democrats are unpatriotic” banner this fall—because they’ve got little else to say.
It should be easy to rebut this attack. The problem is, we progressives often lean into the punch.
We do hate injustice in America. We are eager to make our country better, and fast. Sometimes undecided voters hear our frustration and take it to mean that we don’t love America. And it is awfully hard to persuade those Americans to join us if they don’t think that we’re on their side.
So let’s all understand: By wanting to fix our nation’s problems, we show that we love America. There’s nothing more patriotic than standing up for our democracy. There’s nothing more patriotic than defending our Constitution.
- When we oppose warrantless wiretapping and domestic spying because they violate our Constitution, that’s patriotic.
- When we support unions because they strengthen the American economy, that’s patriotic.
- When we work to provide health care for all, because that makes Americans more secure, that’s patriotic.
- When we seek to save the lives of our soldiers by bringing them home from a reckless, unnecessary war, that’s patriotic.
- When we fight to turn our nation into a true land of opportunity and struggle to make the American Dream a reality for millions of Americans, that’s patriotic
So this Fourth of July, hold your head up. It’s a celebration of revolutionaries who loved America but hated the injustices in their society and government. It’s a celebration of political ideals—“that all men are created equal” and that we have “unalienable rights” to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Those are progressive ideals.
Let’s make it clear to all Americans that we progressives are the partisans for equality and justice; we are the ones trying to lead our country closer to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. We’re the patriots.
(For more about how to communicate the patriotism of progressives, see the author’s recent book Framing the Future [5].)
June 30th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Progressive ideals & Barack Obama staring at his lapel pin on the cover of the Rolling Stone…
Every time the left/progressive movement defends something rather than asserts we lose. Anti-war is so much less powerful than peace. Anti-choice is so much wimpier than equal rights for women. Anti-global warming really begs the questions, while sustainability offers a vision.
A challenge for us all to put forth our visions, our hopes, our dreams & ideals. Then it’s easy to claim our progressive selves with pride & platform!
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
Unfortunately, to many (most) patriotism means loyalty to the herd rather than to the ideals this country was founded upon.