There is a perception (which appears to be backed by a Pew Research study) that Democrats are less patriotic than Republicans. PLEASE NOTE this article is from the National Review, which has a far right bias. I have included it specifically for that reason, to examine the author's interpretation of the Pew Research data as indicative of patriotism.
Based solely on personal observation, it seems that while the liberal narrative embraces love of people, love of liberty and justice for all, it omits the idea of pride - pride in our country, pride in our history, etc. For me, it's easy to understand why. Reading through the atrocities in our history, committed in the name of America the Beautiful with apparent pride, I felt revulsion over the very idea of flag-waving patriotism for a long time.
Yesterday, we hung a great big red white and blue American flag right next to our front door, because we are patriots. I think we who want to resist the darkness and fight for the best of what our nation can be need to reclaim the idea of patriotism. I am proud of the dream of this country. I am proud that in spite of the darkest moments of our history, there is a light that shines bright enough to call amazing people from all over the world to join us. I am proud that there are millions and millions of people who pledge their loyalty to liberty and justice for all, with an emphasis on all. I can disagree with the current administration and feel appalled by its actions and fight it every step of the way, and still be proud to be an American. I do and feel these things BECAUSE I am an American, and I refuse to allow those who cannot or will not reconcile self-criticism and pride set the definition of what it means to be a patriotic American.
Something I took note of in that study was the phrasing of the questions, and particularly the use of the phrase "stands above." The data presented shows what percentage of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats say that the U.S. "stands above" the other nations of the world. In the context of, for example, sports games, in which there can be only one winner, buying into the idea of "standing above" makes sense. But looking at the international, planetary scale and the future of the human race, if there's only one winner, we all lose.
Can we help grow the narrative of patriotism into something better than it has been before?
