Patriotism

Last week, when my wife and I were visiting Savannah, we happened upon a ceremony honoring America’s POW/MIAs.  A brass band played, a color guard marched, a bevy of officers and NCO’s stood at attention, and a Viet Nam vet who lost three of his limbs gave an inspiring speech under the live oak trees.

Afterwards I remarked at how extraordinary Southern patriotism is.  That a part of the country, which once was in rebellion against the Union, is now so effusive in our nation’s support is surely a phenomenon.

  But why not!  This is a wonderful country!  Which got me to thinking about patriotism in general.  As Linda and I were discussing it over breakfast, I recalled my attitude when in High School.  Back then I was a socialist who favored a single world government.

My outlook then was similar to Barak Obama’s now.  I had concluded that people all around the globe were equally human and therefore equally deserving of my respect.  No one was exceptional and hence everyone was worthy of the same respect.  Why was the United States entitled to anything better?

Well, now I have an answer.  Patriotism consists of two parts.  The first entails protecting our homeland from harm.  The second applies to embracing the traditions for which it stands.  Together these affirm FDR’s D-Day speech lauding the nobility of our cause.

As to the first: If we do not protect our shores, who will?  Nevertheless by our shores, I do not mean a string of forts at water’s edge.  An adequate defense can, as the circumstances dictate, be a forward defense.  This means being willing to destroy ISIS in the Levant before it arrives here.

According to this standard, Barack Obama is not a patriot.  He is doing as little as he possibly can to counteract the radical Islamist threat.  Worse yet, he has been prodded into this by political considerations.  Instead of looking to promote our needs, he is focused on this own.

As to the second aspect of patriotism, America may not be perfect, but it is the land of democracy and freedom.  Despite its flaws, it pioneered government of, by, and for the people and has defended it around the globe.  In this regard, we are exceptional.

The belief of multiculturalists, such as Obama, that all cultures are equally valid is absurd.  ISIS cuts off heads.  ISIS stones adulterers.  It took Western civilization centuries to develop the tolerance that is our hallmark.  Do we now wish to deny it because others disagree?

Tolerance allows people to be themselves and to take pride in who they are.  But it does not countenance every sort of conduct.  It must not abide a neo-Nazi determination to kill anyone other than their kind, nor sit idly by when innocents are forced into slavery and degradation.

Genuine tolerance must honor and defend itself or it ceases to be.  The United States has been a melting pot that assimilated peoples of all colors and creeds.  It did so, in part, by respecting their traditions and also, in part, by insisting that they adopt our democratic values.

I find this utterly admirable and embrace this stance as my own.  I am grateful that so many other people have been willing to put their lives on the line to safeguard it.

The progressives want to change America.  I don’t!  I want to improve and build upon it: I don’t want to throw away our glorious heritage!

Capitalism made us rich and free.  Democracy provided dignity and opportunity for millions.  Why would we want to trade these in just so that we can pay deference someone else’s half-baked traditions?

Let me add one more thing.  Freedom and democracy presuppose individual and collective responsibility.  True patriots are not so permissive that they allow anyone to do anything.  True patriots put in the effort to defend our borders and to live up to the standards we proclaim.

Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology

Kennesaw State University