Patriotism Redefined This Fourth of July

News Peg

This weekend the United States of America celebrated 244 years of independence. Or more specifically, 244 years of “declaring” independence. 

Few parades were held due to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting typical celebrations and group gatherings. 

While about 75% of Americans did not travel this Independence Day weekend, the reason may not completely be the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. 

This Fourth of July, Americans gained an opportunity to introspect - do we truly feel free in this country?

Feeling Free?

According to a recent WalletHub survey, around 82% of Americans feel less “free” this year than last year. This could be mainly because of the restrictions the COVID-19 pandemic poses on everyday Americans. Unable to freely go about their daily routines, Americans feel a sense of a freedom or a few freedoms taken away. The surveyors also think the Black Lives Matter activism post- the murder of George Floyd by a police officer, made many Americans realize the lack of equality and feel unsafe in their communities.

More than 78% of Americans, from the same poll, spent less money this Fourth of July.

While this has a lot to do with the pandemic’s restrictions, what may be more interesting is the other finding - 

33% of Americans feel less patriotic this year than last year, according to the WalletHub survey.

What Does This Mean?

While the pandemic certainly impacted the ability for Americans to openly celebrate Independence Day this year, the hindrance isn’t the only reason Americans didn’t feel comfortable celebrating.

Research shows that America is becoming less patriotic. A Gallup poll right after the 9/11 tragedy occurred, 87% of Americans stated that they felt “extremely patriotic.” The same poll last year reported an all-time low of only 60% of Americans feeling very patriotic. 

Most of these Americans who feel less patriotic come from the younger generation of millennials. But this decline in patriotism and nationalism in America has many experts and political pundits speculating what the causes may be.

The Washington Post and New York Times had op-ed pieces pointing to the current government and president’s aura and actions. 

At the core, Americans may be feeling a sense of insecurity, unappreciated, and unsafe. Whether it is the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement and protests pushing for the American system to value equality and destroy any discrimination against the black community, or it is the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by many states and members of the federal government, American rights and safety continue to be shaken in 2020.

The beauty of a democracy lies in the country’s ability to look within and more importantly, push to create positive change. 

The Fourth of July celebrates the singing of the Declaration of Independence by our founding fathers.

It famously reads - “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

These lines should make every American wonder - does everyone have those three rights equally in this nation? Are the words of these founding fathers still valid today? Do all men and women feel equal in this country?

If not, then where are we going wrong? It is not only the right of a citizen to question this, but it is also the duty of a patriotic American to introspect.

Mark Twain, the celebrated American writer, said patriotism lies in “supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.”

Thus, patriotism, by this definition, actually should continue to rise. A citizen looking to make his or her nation better is supporting it, since he or she has hope in its potential perfection. And though he or she doesn’t support a government who may not deserve it, that individual is still a patriot.