January 15, 2006
Opinionist: It's Pride, Not Politics
"What are you, some sort of college Republican?"
The question was straight out of left field. Here I was at a postwork Happy Hour, trying to get to the bar for another Yuengling. What could have made a random stranger assume my political views? I asked my "new friend" this very question and he replied "You're wearing a f*****g American flag pin. Only Republicans do that."
This short exchange, to me, encapsulates a much larger prejudice afflicting many of us. Somehow, the quality of being patriotic has been attached to being conservative, or to be more blunt, a Republican. Liberalism and patriotism are, in the minds of many, mutually exclusive. Frankly, this makes no sense to me.
Let me rewind. My family has one of those great "I came here with $50 and a dream" stories in its recent past. I'm that guy that stands proudly during the National Anthem. During my swearing in, I actually welled up a bit. When various Hollywood types made the ultimately empty claim that if the 2004 election were go in a certain direction they would move to Canada, I became incensed. My personal politics aside (it's none of your business), I believe that this is the greatest country in the world. And yet when I express this opinion to many of my more liberal friends, they are surpised -- not only by the fact that I feel this way, but by the fact that I choose to openly express it. Why? Were I to say this to my conservative friends, they wouldn't bat an eyelid; with my liberal friends, saying those words almost inevitably results in a debate, if not an all-out argument.
This issue is tied, I believe, to the view that saying this country is "great" implies that one thinks it is perfect. This particular syllogism doesn't have a logical leg to stand on. The founders knew they were creating a nation of human beings, inherently imperfect, and thus created a political system that assumes imperfection and allows for dissent. Political systems that assume perfection are antithetical to freedom, the very freedoms that make this country great. Of course one can disagree with these arguments -- but to assume that the fact I am making them means that I vote a certain way is insulting. Patriotism and personal politics do not go hand in hand.
The fact is that no matter who this country is led by, it has given me tremendous opportunities. I've heard of the way my father lived when he first came here -- five guys in a two bedroom apartment, no furniture, searching long and hard for good work. Thirty-odd years later, his son has a good life and a kick ass job. This is directly related to the freedoms we have in this country, and for that I am thankful. My patriotism is the direct expression of my thanks, and I see no reason to hide these feelings away.
I am fully aware that I'm one of the lucky ones, and that had fortune not smiled on me my feelings could very well be different. But I am where I am because of this great nation, and I'll stand up for Old Glory proudly. It has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with pride. Does that mean I vote one way or another? No. It just means that I love my country.
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Of course the example here is one of ignorance, but I imagine much of that questioning comes from your more liberal friends trying to discern whether or not you are at the same time judging of this country and growing imperial sentiment. Whether you're able to look at the current state of democracy and look toward faults and failures and yearn to make them better. That is patriotic, wearing a pin is only surface. But the guy who insulted you is dumb to be sure.
What imperial sentiment are you talking about Gary?
I think the problem people have with flag pins (and "patriotic" bumper stickers for that matter) are that they ring hollow. It seems that since september 11th, conservatives have done a great job of co-opting the flag and other symbols and turned them into a representation of "if you're not with us, you're against us." Of course this creates a backlash, which was sadly shown by your "new friend."
I'd be lying if I said I didn't roll my eyes when I see "these colors don't run" bumper stickers and whatnot. I believe that we don't need superflous and garish symbols to prove our patriotism -- and I think your personal anedcote showed that you don't need to rely on any pin either.
Its sad that someone needs to defend wearing an American flag pin at all.
Tony, I agree with you that the bumper stickers you describe and over-the-top displays of patriotism are too much. But I think a small, discrete lapel pin is a wonderful way of making the same statement in a much less in-your-face way.
Mitch,
I could give plenty of examples, but to start with something in the news and recent the over reaching the executive is engaging in relying on weak legal theory for wiretapping Americans. Another President tried to do that once, and it failed miserably in fact the Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that he couldn't do it even with the justification of acting in the name of national security without warrants, amazing how far we've come since then.
Of course on an international stage our arrogance to believe that the West can bring a democratic movement of lasting worth to the Middle East, luckily at least the elections we helped to run are allowing Iraqi's with concerns for democracy to become involved, but to think that a democracy in Iraq will be an American style democracy is pretty arrogant. The arab world needs to develop a democracy, and because of our intrusion for so many years in that region of the world, in an imperialist nature, even political "allies" in Iraq want us out because they have little trust for our aims.
Then again, this doesn't need to turn into a political debate, if you want to wear a pin, wear a pin. I actually wear one on my lapel on my suit, I see nothing wrong with showing how proud I am of my country, but in that pride comes the ability to judge and wish for better.
I agree that flag lapel pins just seem like a hollow gesture; they are also a violation of flag code if not worn on the left near the heart. (And while I'm not an expert, it is my understanding that the use of the flag in on clothing and in advertising is a violation of flag code.)
I wish, to misquote the cliche, that people would spend less time looking patriotic, and more time being patriotic. If everyone who bought a "support the troops" bumper sticker or a flag pin would actually spend time serving the country (in the armed forces, in government, hell, even as a volunteer in his/her own communities), we'd be better off.
What is that Thomas Henry line about the sunshine patriot?
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
Thomas Paine, sorry.
Of course the other strain of your experiences is that it is somehow offensive to some people that someone would even be Republican. I think it is unfortunate for many DC residents that they don't ever interact with Republicans enough to understand what real ones (not the ones who play them on TV) even stand for. The only interaction with Republicans that most DC residents ever have is with bete-noirs like those idiots on talk radio or Fox News. It's too convenient and self-serving to think of Republicans as the evil, stupid, racist or greedy charicatures that DC residents construct in their minds. It's a convenient conceit because you can live in the DC bubble and receive a steady assurance each night on the Daily Show that yes, you are still right, they're still wrong, and you're still better for it.
As a Republican myself (surprise surprise), I cherish the fact that I'm constantly surrounded by Democrats who challenge my positions and can and do sway me on topics from time to time. I feel sorry the DC Democrats can't say the same. But then again, they don't care what I think because I'm just an evil, stupid, racist and/or greedy Republican, and my opinion is void.
this is lame.
I'm a US citizen through immigration, and I love more than hate the USA. True, there are a lot of people who come here and live the American Dream or reach greater heights/successes than they would probably have reached back home. I definitely feel I am one of them (God Bless America!!!).
But in the reverse- there are lots of my immigrant friends who have transplanted back home to India, Nigeria, Kenya, China, etc. with their American upbringing/schooling and have chimed back to me on their experiences- an entreprenurial spirit + American (or "Western") education + Savings can equal even more successes back home.
The American Dream here seems to be harder to reach for some, versus going back "home" and realizing success by leveraging what was learnt/mastered in the States.
Besides, most middle class people here still have problems making ends meet due to the costs of consumerism, insurance, services, inflation, etc. Man, I'd settle to be a big fish in a small pond like Sri Lanka any day (Bonus: chauffeurs, cooks, nannies and help would have me at the local Expat Polo Club every day, versus battling traffic and running errands all night).
Katie (and others),
With absolutely no respect intended at all, do you really think you can discount someone's patriotism because they have the gall to show it on a bumper sticker or a lapel?
Who the hell do you think you are? What magical power do you have that you can look at someone and tell if their gestures are hollow or not? I have a yellow ribbon magnet on the back of my car. It's about the only show of support I have time for since I'm a 29 year-old trying to raise two children on my own while my husband's National Guard unit is deployed (and so you know, I work for the federal government, and most of my co-workers wear pins--does that mean they aren't REALLY patrioptic?).
I vote Democratic 9 times out of 10, even if I sometimes have to hold my nose while doing so, but the snotty elitism of the liberal hierarchy (an elitism and condescension you seem to be mimicking very well) has simply become too much to take. I'm certainly not going to become a Republican over the matter, but if in the name of a broadly based Democratic platform I have to share a tent with people like you and the liberal intellectual snobbery of the leaders you're imitating, I may just sit at home on election day.
It's conversations like this one that are bleeding the Democratic party dry.
Alex,
It's not the person's patriotism that rings hollow -- it's the symbol. A pin or sticker should neither detract nor add to a person's patriotism, however one measures such an intangible.
Do you feel your yellow ribbon increases your patriotism? Of course not! -- you're already showing your support by taking care of your children and sacrifcing while your husband is overseas. I'm not saying you shouldn't have the ribbon, I'm just saying that it doesn't change anything. My brother is in Iraq, but I don't think anyone would question my support just because my car lacks a ribbon.
I do agree that all this talk about the patriotism of others is not productive but somehow these symbols have become divisive and polarizing.
Usually I assume anyone with a flag pin is a right-wing nutbag, because, as others have said, wearing the flag pins is generally a hollow gesture. Wearing a flag is a tendency of those who hide behind the flag, the people who push agendas of death, destruction, and hate in the name of God and Country. Their use of the flag in the form of pins, magnets, bumper stickers, etc. is pretty hard to miss, and so it seems most other people tend to avoid the flag in any form other than a flag.
Anyway, from your story it sounds like the other person was drunk, and you probably shouldn't worry about it too much.
Making assumptions about people has always been a problem in our society. I believe whether its the color of someone's skin, age, how they talk, or what they wear its wrong to make such assumptionps based on anything. I am probably not well informed, but why do people think wearing a flag pin or puting a flag on one's car make one a "right-wing nutbag"?
Like I said, I have a ribbon on my car and I don't think its a hollow gesture nor do I feel that I am better than others. I consider myself conservative, but I don't think I am a "nutbag". No one should be judged until one gets to know them. I know people will say I am being "stupid" or whatever, but its a belief I have that our socity can grow out of these hateful sterotypes of people.
Hate the ribbon magnets, not the cars.
Like I said, I have a ribbon on my car and I don't think its a hollow gesture nor do I feel that I am better than others.
The ribbons on your car...who do they benefit? While the sentiment is there, is it really supporting the troops by purchasing a ribbon manufactured in China? The profits made off of those ribbons certainly don't go to military aid organizations or to, say, armor for troops. There are plenty of organizations that could use your money to support your troops. That's a much better expression of support than buying a ribbon. That's my opinion of the ribbons. It's patriotism-lite. I think if you want to support the troops there are plenty of ways to do so in a way that actually benefits the troops.
Benjamin, the troops appreciate the ribbons, pins, flags, and bumper stickers. It lets them know that this country's citizens care as much about the country that they risk their lives for as they do. While that slight boost in morale may seem but a small thing, so is wearing a lapel pin.
Tony, how is a flag or a ribbon divisive? I don't get it. You choose not to display a ribbon while still supporting your brother. Others decide that they want to wear a pin to show their national pride. Both are personal choices that in no way reflect on y'all's level of patriotism. The only way this stuff could be divisive is if a third party looks at such patriotic items and decides that a US flag or a yellow ribbon is something with which to disagree. It isn't the displayer that is being divisive or polarizing, it is the viewer.
And yes, I'm a Republican. And no, I don't wear a flag pin or have any bumper stickers. And yes, I serve my country, as did my father, grandfather, and oldest friend. And yes, I am a patriot.
I particularly enjoy the magnet car stickers. One is patriotic enough to show the flag/ribbon on one's car...and blare to everyone one's views...but not patriotic enough to reduce the resale value of the vehicle. Nothing says hollow more than money being the most important thing. Thats my two cents.
i think that most "liberals" aren't against the show of ribbons or lapel pins per se, but instead the whole "you're-either-with-us-or-against-us" vibe that is put out by this administration. Furthermore just because someone critisizes another's use of said ribbon or flag does not mean that they are being unpatriotic; infact i find this act of questioning one's motives and actions to be one of the most patriotic actions one can undertake (eventhough some people need to re-examine their actual word choice when they engage in such discussions). I also believe that this is the very position that many liberals would take.
Also let me rewind a bit. I'm the kind of guy that wells up during the national anthem yet doesn't see the importance in pledge of allegiance (its sorta like the nicene creed for americans; how will it prove whether i am a good citizen or not?) and also cringes at the over use of the american flag in today's society. This is even despite the disadvantages my family has been dealt in the past (im pretty sure it wasn't too easy in the recent past to be a 15 year-old hispanic kid in the 30's raising a family of 12, or an irish catholic man looking for work even in the middle of this century, believe me we can play this game all day long, it still won't make a difference in the end on either of our points). I am very proud of everything this country stands for, but one of those things that makes me proud is the ability of the citizens of this country to speak out for themselves and for what they believe in, however misguided they may be, and i believe that that is one of the most patriotic things that anyone can do. I believe that this is in fact what our troops are fighting to uphold, whether this is their personal belief or not. In closing, instead of bitching about how certain people suck, try to engage them in an intelligent conversation about the issues. If they don't respond in a respectful and intelligent manner it is just their loss and there really isn't anything you can do about it. A forum like this is certainly is not the right place to discuss such issues. DCist i have enjoyed some of your previous opinionist columns, but please please please try and stay away from national politics.
CRM:
Futhermore from my time in DC i have found that the people that i have met there make me think about my personal beliefs more than anyone else in this country, regardless of their own political beliefs. Sure people from DC have a more liberal tilt to their thinking, but we are constantly challenged by other DC liberals and moderates (and occasionally republicans). Some of my fondest memories of growing up in DC were the political debates that i have had and still have with my friends from there; something i don't find anywhere else (i am rather liberal in case you were wondering). This is something to think about before you make these generalized statements about people from DC.
p.s. there is nothing i hate more than generalized statements about people from DC. It's sooo overdone and most of the time completely wrong. Especially when talking about people who are actually from DC (I'm talking people who have grown up in the area; i can't speak for transplants).
"Usually I assume anyone with a flag pin is a right-wing nutbag, because, as others have said, wearing the flag pins is generally a hollow gesture."
this statement shows what is hollow is your brain and that you let your ignorance overcome your intellect. Since someone displaying the flag makes someone a “right wing nut bag,” does this make every man and woman in uniform, with a flag on their shoulder a “right win nut bag” too? Or is that just a hollow gesture too?
Its people who make ignorant statements like you that are the problem with America, I respect the dissenting opinion, but I completely disrespect ignorant comments like that.
I would have to agree with CRM. D.C. has a super majority of its citizens in agreement on most issues (mostly on liberal grounds). The conversations tend to be self reinforcing excersises and not actually about debating any issue. And if a debate actually occurs the person offering a conservative point of view is usually looked upon as a traitor and ostracized from the group.
That is not to say that there isn't super majority areas where conservative thought dominates. But, we aren't talking about other areas.
Ryan,
I agree that DC is not uniform, and that someone can be exposed to a variety of opinion. However, for the most part, that variety ranges from very liberal to moderately liberal. It would be like a Republican who is only around people who can't agree whether to cut taxes a whole lot or just a lot. I think it's great that you had a lot of interesting conversations with people that challenged your beliefs, but I can't help wondering if you still heard a lot of the same assumptions parrotted back and forth, without question.
I don't think I wrote with excessive generalities, but the fact is that DC votes something like 80-85% Democratic. There are very few Republicans in DC and frankly, there's no way that the average Democrat is going to encounter very many, if not just because there are so few. Moreover, the conservatives I know tend to stick together, if not just because they get tired of being browbeat by the average DC Democrat.
It's strictly a manifestation of Lionel Trilling's "adversary culture" Kanishka. Experiment with it. I suspect you'll inspire identically contemptuous reactions from precisely the same sort of people, were you to express any notion which is broadly popular, sincere and self-evidently true.
So you may not be a Republican and you may wear an American flag pin for all the right reasons.
I'll also grant you that it's not right to assume that because a person dresses a certain way, they are a certain way.
However, its also good to keep in mind that while you may not BE a Young Republican, you ARE wearing a Young Republican's uniform....
...and that shit is confusing.