America undoubtedly has an unwavering love for itself; with its men and women clad in red, white and blue, drinking domestic beer and driving American cars(but hopefully not in that order). It comes as no surprise when strong nationalist leaders like Trump accrue massive followings. After all, he’s promising to “Make America Great Again.” However, American patriotism is a special entity. Patriotism is said to be a love for one’s country. But far too often, patriotism has very little love involved.
Take a second to imagine your typical American patriot. How old are they? What gender? What race? The answer I receive most often is a 30+ year-old Caucasian male. This demographic loves America and isn’t shy about it in the least bit. But why do they love America? And what would they do to protect it?
Trump has played this demographic into his strategy with ease. Love for America, you see, is often born of fear: fear of a break from status quo. Fear of outsiders threatening their way of life. Fear is irrational. This allows Trump to make outlandish, unverifiable, or flat-out false statements knowing that his constituency is guided only by the weakly magnetized compass of fear. By promising to deny all Syrian refugees, deport all illegal immigrants, calling Obama the founder of ISIS, tweeting false crime statistics(below), and turning a blind eye to an endorsement from the Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, he has gained the support of America’s most fervent patriots and thus, he helped clearly define what patriotism means to many Americans. If it wasn’t clear before, American patriotism and the preservation of American customs often overlaps with white supremacist ideals. “Voting for [Cruz and Rubio], voting against Donald Trump at this point is really treason to your heritage,” said David Duke, former Grand Wizard of the KKK. He later said “I hope he does everything we hope he will do.”
How long would the ignorance to this fact have continued had it not been for Trump’s radical rightist campaign? And more the more pressing question, will America let him win? And when Trump is gone, will America finally face up to its own prejudices? The answers will come with time. It is my purpose here to warn you of the flaws of patriotism and the leaders who build their platforms upon it. Take great caution when faced with a politician who’s platform centers around “I love my country the most” rather than “My policies are the best for the country.”
That being said, love for a country should function like love for a person. The American patriot’s love is controlling. They attempt to mold and change America as they please, trying to assert dominance over their partner, removing any aspects deemed undesirable. But love is patient. Love is kind. A true devotee to our nation accepts growth and change. Like any true lover, they walk arm-in-arm through the furnace, taking solace in the knowledge that they both will be made stronger by the heat of the flame and the strikes of the smith.
My love runs steady and true, for better or for worse, for all Americans. Does yours?
