I must admit, unlike most New Yorkers and Americans today, I’m really glad the weather’s been crappy. It’s meant we’ve had a somewhat lackluster 4th of July. It’s always annoyed me when I’ve seen people who wear their patriotism on their sleeve, but it’s been particularly hard to tolerate since my return from Bristol. That may sound a little snotty but I feel I can be honest with you. I’m more one to pay tribute to the huge contradiction that George Carlirn was first to point out to any large, white audience: that the country was founded by a bunch of slave owners who wanted to be free. (Taxation without representation, my ass! Go tell that to your German slaves in Ohio George Washington. How’s Sally Flemings these days, Tommy Jefferson?) Personally, I believe all the pomp and circumstance cheapens the whole notion of citizenship, American Spirit and United Statesiness. I don’t even enjoy saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
While we’re on the subject of the P.o.A., isn’t funny how the things we think of as traditions are actually not that old? Congress didn’t officially recognize the P.o.A. until the 1940s. Before that, the left arm would remain outstretched toward the flag while reciting the pledge, but that was too similar to fascist salutes and was changed. Also, the “under God” part was only added in the 1950s to stick it to the godless Commies during the Cold War. Damn Commies!
In spite of this, on all the 364 days of the year I actually quite content being a citizen of the United States. I do get a little thrill when I see the Statue of Liberty or watch Field of Dreams in spite of the fact that I can't stand baseball and, let's face it, I LOVE yelling "Damn Commies!" What could be more American than that? The fact that I live in a country where I’m able to write something like this means a lot to me. Our reflexive, self-criticism, sometimes taking the form of sarcastic narcissism, is part of what makes this a great and often times hilarious land. So, happy birthday U.S. of A. Keep kickin’. You got this.
2 comments:
I feel much more educated about the POA. Hmmm.
And wow, that was the compliment of a lifetime. Yes, we should go to a concert. And we shall...
Yeah I totally agree with you about the Pledge and Forth of July. Howard Zinn wrote an article called "Put Away the Flags" that I really liked and I think you will too (google it). Quote:
"Is not nationalism -- that devotion to a flag, an anthem, a boundary so fierce it engenders mass murder -- one of the great evils of our time, along with racism, along with religious hatred? These ways of thinking -- cultivated, nurtured, indoctrinated from childhood on -- have been useful to those in power, and deadly for those out of power."
The idea of patriotism does indeed annoy me--I'm a citizen of this country and I don't see how I am MORE American by wearing certain colors or blowing shit up. To me it makes me think of racism and sexism, like how people can be act 'black' or 'white' or 'girly.' I am what I am, and I live in a free country where I'm not required to prove it to anyone, by choosing to opt out I'm in fact demonstrating the essence of American spirit.
Voting day should be fourth of july.
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