Patriotism in an Unlikely Place
Here I am at 6:30 in the morning. Can't sleep in again, don't need to be up. So I find myself listening to the radio. It is, of course, 9:30 on the East Coast on 9/11, so they are doing memorials. I find myself thinking about patriotism. Prior to that fateful day, apathy towards the United States was revered. If you were from somewhere else, you were infinitely cooler. No one said they loved their country.
Remember Armageddon? Not the best movie in the world, but it makes a very valid point. When the movie required scenes of patriotism and national pride, they are forced to look two+ generations ago to the Fifties. Suddenly there are scenes of kids on antique bikes, amber waves of grain with old pickups, and to make sure we drive the point home, a picture of JFK.
Where were modern images of patriotism? Problem is that there weren't any at the time. The United States were very united in their apathy about country. As a culture, we taught ourselves to hate being an "American".
Interesting thing about being an American, it includes two entire continents. Brazilians are Americans. Canadians are Americans. Mexicans are Americans (which makes the politically correct statement Mexican-American redundant.) Even in this, we do not identify ourselves as a country, rather as part of a continent. I am susceptible and culpable as well. When I was in Europe, I told people I came from California. California is cool, the United States is not.
No wonder most of the civilized world as well as large portions of the underdeveloped world hates us. We hate ourselves. Everyone does everything they can to stop identifying themselves as Americans and to be something else.
So last night, I met a true African-American and found patriotism in a very unlikely place. I spent about half an hour trying to hail a cab near downtown San Diego. What's the deal here, doesn't anyone hail cabbies anymore? I was standing in the middle of the street, waiving both arms at a cabbie who had his in service light on, and he drove right by me! Apparently I have the powers of invisibility from time to time. Finally I ran up to a blue cab and asked the guy if he could take me downtown. I got in, after noticing his accent.
"Where are you from originally?" I always say originally any more, because I have gotten a very rude response from more than a few old German women when I have asked them where they were from. They all looked indignant when I asked and told me they were from here. So I usually would follow up with a response that went along the lines of "Really, because it sounded like you had a German accent. I was born in Germany, and lived there for nine years, so I am always interested in hearing where the Germans I encounter are from." This never generates an apology, but usually gets them to open up and tell where in Germany they were from. By adding the originally, I can usually forgoe the explanation.
"I am from Africa." The cabbie spoke in that overly articulate way that all of the Africans I have met have of speaking. It makes English sound almost beautiful to me.
"Where in Africa?" I was very interested. Being a San Diegan, I am rarely in a cab. I can't stand sitting in the cab in silence, so I usually try to speak to the cabbies.
"Ethiopia." At this point, I was beginning to think this guy didn't want to talk to me, and just wanted a fare. Still I pursued the issue as an interest.
"Really, My last cab trip was in Atlanta in April. That cabbie was also an African who won a lottery to come to the United States. I think he was from Zimbabwe, though it may have been Kenya. What brought you from Ethiopia to San Diego?" I don't know what part of what I said had made a difference, but suddenly the cabbie was much more interested in conversation.
"It was a very long and difficult journey. I didn't get a chance to win a lottery, they only started doing that five or so years ago. I decided I needed to leave, and left everything behind. It was like being born again. I, and five friends of mine were all determined to leave Ethiopia, so we tried to get into either the United States or Canada. I was able to get into either, but the U.S. offered first, so I came here." I asked him if all of his friends were in San Diego. "No, I have one in Denver, one in Las Vegas, and two in Washington DC. We still keep in touch. Talking to them is like being born again, I feel younger. We all left Ethiopia for political reasons and came to this great country. Here we can work, we can choose what we want. I love this wonderful country."
And there it was. A true patriot. Here was someone who really loved being here. This wasn't patriotism because of a tragedy in NYC. This wasn't feigned, this was someone who truly loved his (adopted) country. A cabbie taught me a whole lot in the course of a five dollar ride.
Remember Armageddon? Not the best movie in the world, but it makes a very valid point. When the movie required scenes of patriotism and national pride, they are forced to look two+ generations ago to the Fifties. Suddenly there are scenes of kids on antique bikes, amber waves of grain with old pickups, and to make sure we drive the point home, a picture of JFK.
Where were modern images of patriotism? Problem is that there weren't any at the time. The United States were very united in their apathy about country. As a culture, we taught ourselves to hate being an "American".
Interesting thing about being an American, it includes two entire continents. Brazilians are Americans. Canadians are Americans. Mexicans are Americans (which makes the politically correct statement Mexican-American redundant.) Even in this, we do not identify ourselves as a country, rather as part of a continent. I am susceptible and culpable as well. When I was in Europe, I told people I came from California. California is cool, the United States is not.
No wonder most of the civilized world as well as large portions of the underdeveloped world hates us. We hate ourselves. Everyone does everything they can to stop identifying themselves as Americans and to be something else.
So last night, I met a true African-American and found patriotism in a very unlikely place. I spent about half an hour trying to hail a cab near downtown San Diego. What's the deal here, doesn't anyone hail cabbies anymore? I was standing in the middle of the street, waiving both arms at a cabbie who had his in service light on, and he drove right by me! Apparently I have the powers of invisibility from time to time. Finally I ran up to a blue cab and asked the guy if he could take me downtown. I got in, after noticing his accent.
"Where are you from originally?" I always say originally any more, because I have gotten a very rude response from more than a few old German women when I have asked them where they were from. They all looked indignant when I asked and told me they were from here. So I usually would follow up with a response that went along the lines of "Really, because it sounded like you had a German accent. I was born in Germany, and lived there for nine years, so I am always interested in hearing where the Germans I encounter are from." This never generates an apology, but usually gets them to open up and tell where in Germany they were from. By adding the originally, I can usually forgoe the explanation.
"I am from Africa." The cabbie spoke in that overly articulate way that all of the Africans I have met have of speaking. It makes English sound almost beautiful to me.
"Where in Africa?" I was very interested. Being a San Diegan, I am rarely in a cab. I can't stand sitting in the cab in silence, so I usually try to speak to the cabbies.
"Ethiopia." At this point, I was beginning to think this guy didn't want to talk to me, and just wanted a fare. Still I pursued the issue as an interest.
"Really, My last cab trip was in Atlanta in April. That cabbie was also an African who won a lottery to come to the United States. I think he was from Zimbabwe, though it may have been Kenya. What brought you from Ethiopia to San Diego?" I don't know what part of what I said had made a difference, but suddenly the cabbie was much more interested in conversation.
"It was a very long and difficult journey. I didn't get a chance to win a lottery, they only started doing that five or so years ago. I decided I needed to leave, and left everything behind. It was like being born again. I, and five friends of mine were all determined to leave Ethiopia, so we tried to get into either the United States or Canada. I was able to get into either, but the U.S. offered first, so I came here." I asked him if all of his friends were in San Diego. "No, I have one in Denver, one in Las Vegas, and two in Washington DC. We still keep in touch. Talking to them is like being born again, I feel younger. We all left Ethiopia for political reasons and came to this great country. Here we can work, we can choose what we want. I love this wonderful country."
And there it was. A true patriot. Here was someone who really loved being here. This wasn't patriotism because of a tragedy in NYC. This wasn't feigned, this was someone who truly loved his (adopted) country. A cabbie taught me a whole lot in the course of a five dollar ride.
posted by Unknown at 6:27 AM
4 Comments:
Modern Patriots are alive and well. Many are in the military, and many are those who have fled other less fortunate countries to enjoy our freedom and our way of life.
One problem is that people are taking for granted what freedoms they have. I was one of them until I joined the Army. There isn't a human being on the planet who has more respect for those in the military then a new recruit on the first day of boot camp. That is the day that life and the world as we know it crumbles before our very eyes. And we had it EASY compared to the recruits in the days when Political Correctness didn't run rampant.
A lot (but not all) of the people in our Armed Forces are Patriots because they are the defenders of our freedoms and know it when they joined up. They love this country and are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. No matter how much praise they are given, it will never be enough.
Another problem is the 'Old' media. Their constant bashing of the military and their constant subliminal anti-American sentiment has finally soaked into the psyche of the American populace. ABC, CNN, CBS, and NBC are painful to watch. For every positive thing that they say about our country, they probably say 50 negative things. I enjoy Fox News because they're the closest thing to 'Fair and Balanced'. The other big networks are so far to the Left that Fox is seen as more to the Right when they are truly at the Center.
It's even more sad that an event such as 9/11 would be necessary to spark a form of 'new Patriotism'. But I'm still leery to even call it Patriotism. I think it should be something called "Empathizers". It doesn't have the pretty 'ring' to it, but is more accurate. It seemed that everybody had flags on their car windows, and pro-America stickers pasted all over their bumpers. But was it genuine or just a fad? I think red, white and blue was just a fad, and fads can fade quickly.
I think the core of this 'new Patriotism' was just the majority of folks feeling sorry for the victims, which at its core *isn't* Patriotism. The definition at Dictionary.com is: "Love of and devotion to one's country."
I'm not trying to take away anybody's feeling of self-righteousness because they donated blood or money to the any of the 9/11 charities. God bless you all. But calling it 'love and devotion for the USA' is a little misplaced.
I feel that the true Patriots are anyone who really and truly appreciates and/or attempts to understand how God has blessed the U.S. of A. That without our core freedoms we cease to exist both figuratively AND literally. They realize that along with freedom comes responsibility and some sacrifice. Thank God for the true Patriots, who are the glue that keeps this great country together.
Extremely well thought out response. You are absolutely right that anyone in the military deserves the badge of patriot. And I think the families that support the military are also patriots. God, bless those that give everything for their country and bring as many of them as you can home safe.
i admine your patriotism. many people around the world dislike americans because of your country's foreign policy. many americans love their country as much as the soldiers who go to fight illegal wars on fabricated premises in iraq, but just like their foreign counterparts, are ashamed of your country's foreign policy. it has little to do with believing god has or hasnt blessed your country, and less to with loving or not loving america--it is a disagreement with the 'might is right' style (international) pursuit of economic self interest that they disagree with, not any lack of patriotism. perhaps youd like to redefine your definition of patriotism; firstly to remove the association with god, as your country is open to people of all religions, including atheists and agnostics, and add in something about standing up for what you think is valuable: your country and what it means to you as an American.
My blessing is not necessarily for country, but for the men and women who are willing to sacrifice self for the founding ideas of country. I do not believe that the U.S.A. has any divine right or blessing what so ever.
I am not fond of all of the U.S. foreign policy. I do not necessarily agree with the "intelligence" that got us into Iraq. I do believe that the end result will be a good one and that Sadaam Hussein was a butcher, however, the ends do not justify the means. A teleological approach is in most cases a recipe for disaster.
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