When did patriotism become synonymous with conservatives? When did loving your country become a political statement?
Well, when a country prides itself in its inherent racism and gender inequality, it’s hard to be proud of it. So, priding yourself in your country sends the message that you might be politically to the right. I’m not sure when the switch happened, but I hope that in the future, liberal can pride themselves in the United States and wave their flags high.
Since Trump’s first campaign, aggressive and explicit displays of patriotism have become increasingly associated with conservatism and the Republican party in modern America. When you see a truck pass by with American flags waving on each side, you immediately assume it voted for Trump.
Somewhere along the way, patriotism, a concept meant to unify a nation, was quietly handed over to one side of the political spectrum. The American flag, once a symbol of collective identity and shared ideals, gets brandished at political rallies as if it only represents conservative values. Liberals and progressives, meanwhile, are often painted as “anti-American,” “ungrateful,” or even “traitorous” for challenging the country they also call home.
But what does it mean to be a patriot? Patriotism has been a changing concept since the word was created. There were times when patriotism meant military sacrifice, conscientious objection, unity, dissent, inclusion, exclusion, anti-Communism, anti-Catholicism, tax cuts, a living wage, exhibition, anti-exhibition, and so on.
So why are people challenging their country for the better any less American than those who choose to conform?
