There’s a Different Kind of Patriotism
By: Rox Applesmith
Tags: Politics, USA, Society, Patriotism, Trump

There’s a Different Kind of Patriotism

Love of country doesn’t always come with conservatism.

Photo by Dennis Maliepaard on Unsplash

When I woke up on November 4th, 2016 to an American flag burning, I knew what had happened.

At, “the most liberal college in America,” this was how some students expressed their grief at Trump’s nomination. I cried about the results; I hated Trump for his racist fear-mongering, belligerence, and hasty treatment of the truth.

On that day, I wore red, white, and blue. At the time, I didn’t know why. I still don’t, precisely, but I have some ideas. My feelings toward my country — my home — are more complex than black-and-white hate or blame. I don’t disdain Trump because I hate my country. Rather, I care about his actions because I care about America and am concerned about the country’s future.

What I’m saying should be obvious. It probably is, for the most part. But, I can’t help but notice that many Trump supporters think that Democrats and progressives hate America. I hope that Republicans read this article and see that I, and many other liberal people, have a different kind of patriotism than they do, rather than no patriotism at all.

Some Trump supporters may complain that liberals criticize America too harshly. To me, patriotism towards the US isn’t incompatible with criticism of it. As is true when caring about another human being, to care about my country isn’t to believe in its perfection. Rather, it is to use my intelligence and heart to try and bring the actual America closer to its ideals of equal opportunity and democracy.

If you were to sloganize this mindset, it would be, “Make America Great,” instead of, “Make America Great Again.” Some conservatives seem to want to return to an idealized past. I, on the other hand, have an idealized future in mind, and would much rather see the fruition of things that have never quite existed yet.

“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” — Alexis de Tocqueville

I am grateful to have been born where I was born. In this country, and as one of the fortunate and privileged persons in this country, I have tremendous opportunity to think and learn about things outside of my direct experience. I’ve been allowed to travel to other countries. I’ve been able to speak what I believe to be true and to criticize the government, which not everyone in every country can publicly do. This freedom of speech is something to be preserved and relished.

Many aspects of America are and have been great. America was a great innovator in education and transportation. It was a great advance to offer public education. But, I believe we have in many aspects become stuck in our success. Other countries have continued to tamper with and build educational models, and like an old dog, we stubbornly refuse to learn from their successes and failures — so, among developed countries, the US currently obtains subpar results in secondary school. Something similar might be said of healthcare.

The US has deep and substantial problems. But, to me, they do not cancel out the aspects that are great — rather, they stand beside them. It does not seem to me disrespectful to point out problems in America. To point out problems, on the other hand, seems to originate from a deep reverence for American values and the potential of this country.

While patriotic signaling isn’t as popular among Democrats as it is with Republicans, I’m not alone in my mindset. In the book excerpt, I’m Not Yet Ready to Give Up Hope for America, Barack Obama expresses his ongoing belief in the promise of democracy. After reflecting on the grievous inequality present in America, he concludes: “What I can say for certain is that I’m not yet ready to abandon the possibility of America — not just for the sake of future generations of Americans but for all of humankind.”

The America we’ve been promised is meritocratic, democratic, and kind. Aspects of this America have fluttered in glimpses throughout history, but it has never solidified. While perfection will be impossible, I’d like to go closer to that America. This may strike some as hopeless optimism; to me, it’s just an orientation.

I’m grateful for where I grew up. I do want America — and Humanity — to be great. But, to me, greatness isn’t in the past. It isn’t even a static state. Rather, greatness is a constant conversation between the future and the past — a foot in integrity and an eye toward betterment.

Alexis de Tocqueville, who was inspired to write about democracy after a visit to America in the early 19th century, made a potent point: “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” I hope we do repair our faults in a country that is and always has been in a state of change.