Who’s flag is it anyhow?
Being patriotic in these times
Whew. It's been a brutal few weeks if you are checking the national news and either a moderate or on the left side of politics. The House just passed what was promoted as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” (which I think should be called “The Terrible, Destructive Bill”) I’ll let the political journalists deep dive into the 1,000 page bill for specific explanations and I highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American and/or Chop wood, Carry water from Jess Craven as good ones to follow. They both provide detailed and insightful information about the United States political landscape these days.
For this blog, I want to focus more on the heart side of this thing we call patriotism. During the week of Fourth of July, there's always an influx of American flags and lately each time I see one, I cringe inside. I can’t help but separate the stars and stripes from the far-right agenda of hate and fascism that has spread across the country. A suped-up pickup truck with flags waving from the bed invokes the same feelings. A rock in my stomach and a ducking of my head. It’s a challenge to be patriotic these days. (Right now the only flag I feel good about flying is my Pride flag!) I know people who feel their only choice is to leave this country because they feel unsafe. I know people who have had to shrink down because they are scared of bodily harm in their own communities. And people who have to hide inside their homes because they might be deported. How did we get to this? How do we reclaim it?
Recently, as I’ve attended protests in my area, I’ve noticed more American flags at each one. Protesters are intentionally reclaiming the American flag for ALL Americans. And I appreciate that. Our country’s flag is supposed to represent all of us, not one political party, not one way of thinking.
Let’s go back to definitions as I find that’s often the easiest way to sort things out. Merriam Webster has the unhelpful definition of “patriotic” “as inspired by patriotism”, but then defines patriotism “as love for or devotion to one's country”—which is something we can dig our teeth into a little bit more.
Right now, I don’t love this country in terms of our current administration or the congress majority and I’m worried for our future. From a macro viewpoint, I don’t feel very patriotic. However, I love the people in this country. I love that there are people protesting and standing up for each other. In LA, folks are pooling funds so that Latino workers can stay home from work to avoid ICE raids. I love that the phone lines were full when I tried to call my Senator because there were so many others also trying to call and voice their opinions about that stupid bill. I love the energy and hope I find at the protests or when I read or see photos of others protesting all over our nation. There are many hopeful stories of people helping each other—they’re just not on the front pages!
I want this to be a country that I am proud of and I want the lives of the people in my country to improve. So I guess I’m also devoted to this country in a way! It’s where I can find the space to be patriotic. Not in the country as a whole or as it is right now, but zooming in on individuals that make up this country. I profoundly disagree with many things happening in the United States these days. But there are so many people in this country that make me proud.
On days when I feel an empty void in my heart and start to spiral about the state of the union, I’m going to hold onto the love, hope, and patriotism that I have for some people right now. And focus on the country that we can be. I’m going to surround myself with like-minded people and communities and find the news stories of hope. And I will keep fighting for the country that we can be every way I know how! Who knows, maybe next fourth-of-July (or the next) I’ll be flying an American flag right next to my Pride flag.
How do you feel about being patriotic right now? Does it come easily? Share about it in the comments!
Stay curious and keep fighting,
Melora Fern
Like this article? Here are some of my others you might be interested in:
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My book Whistling Women and Crowing Hens is out now! Check out different places you can purchase here!
This was also published on my blog at melorafern.com