Copyright © 2005 Henrietta W. Hay

What is Patriotism?
July 1, 2005

"I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle do or die.
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the fourth of July."

Back in 1938 in Chicago I saw George M. Cohan in "I'd Rather Be Right." It was a highly emotional experience. When Cohan sang Yankee Doodle Dandy the audience stood and cheered in a patriotic fervor.
After all, "The War" to end all Wars was over. The last of the "pure" wars, had been fought and won. Justice had prevailed and we had made the world safe for democracy. Patriotism was clear in its meaning and we didn't question it. It meant our country right or wrong, that we were invincible, we were right. The symbols of the 4th of July -- the songs, the flag, the stirring band music, the parades, the speeches which were so moving, assured us that our world was going to be here forever without change.
They are still important symbols, but we live in a different world. Since 1938 over half a million American men and women have been killed in military action. A major social revolution took place in the 50's and 60's. The World Wide Web came along and tied the world together in a whole new way. We are no longer isolated. We have become a diverse people of many colors and beliefs. We have become part of the world.
Back in 1938 in Chicago I saw George M. Cohan in "I'd Rather Be Right." It was a highly emotional experience. When Cohan sang Yankee Doodle Dandy the audience stood and cheered in a patriotic fervor.
After all, "The War" to end all Wars was over. The last of the "pure" wars, had been fought and won. Justice had prevailed and we had made the world safe for democracy. Patriotism was clear in its meaning and we didn't question it. It meant our country right or wrong, that we were invincible, we were right. The symbols of the 4th of July -- the songs, the flag, the stirring band music, the parades, the speeches which were so moving, assured us that our world was going to be here forever without change.
They are still important symbols, but we live in a different world. Since 1938 over half a million American men and women have been killed in military action. A major social revolution took place in the 50's and 60's. The World Wide Web came along and tied the world together in a whole new way. We are no longer isolated. We have become a diverse people of many colors and beliefs. We have become part of the world.
We still display the flag, have fireworks and music on the 4th of July as symbols of our patriotism. We love our country and we honor the men and women fighting the Iraq war. But it's more than that. It's time to remember what we are celebrating. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. When the Constitution was adopted several years later we truly became a new nation, with freedoms never before known. The first fourteen amendments were added to assure that. But have they?
Today they are threatened as never before. In the name of religious beliefs we are in danger of losing many of our legal freedoms. The so called Patriot Act takes away personal freedoms rather than protecting them.
Today patriotism is highly complex. It means love of our country and respect for our fellow citizens. It means tolerance and understanding and acceptance. It means taking responsibility to defend our form of government and what it stands for. It means that we have freedom of speech and worship. It means that we have the freedom to agree with each other or to disagree, and to speak freely. I believe it even means what Barbara Ehrenreich wrote, "Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots."
The Fourth of July is the day to read and re-read, "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." Those wonderful words are as vital today as they were the day they were written. We must not lose them.
So let's go out and enjoy the 4th of July. But let's remember what we're celebrating, Adlai Stevenson wrote that what we mean by patriotism is "a sense of national responsibility...a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."
Today they are threatened as never before. In the name of religious beliefs we are in danger of losing many of our legal freedoms. The so called Patriot Act takes away personal freedoms rather than protecting them.
Today patriotism is highly complex. It means love of our country and respect for our fellow citizens. It means tolerance and understanding and acceptance. It means taking responsibility to defend our form of government and what it stands for. It means that we have freedom of speech and worship. It means that we have the freedom to agree with each other or to disagree, and to speak freely. I believe it even means what Barbara Ehrenreich wrote, "Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots."
The Fourth of July is the day to read and re-read, "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." Those wonderful words are as vital today as they were the day they were written. We must not lose them.
So let's go out and enjoy the 4th of July. But let's remember what we're celebrating, Adlai Stevenson wrote that what we mean by patriotism is "a sense of national responsibility...a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."