What Has Happened to Patriotism

Going to public school has been an interesting experience. It has been invigorating, challenging and shocking. Recently, I was confronted with a situation that I never could have imagined. It should deeply concern all of us.

I walked into class on Tuesday, and I sat down. The kid behind me tapped me on the shoulder. Out of his mouth came words I thought I would never hear. “Tomorrow, don’t stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance.” I looked at him and a very loud, “What!?!” was the reply. He said, “Today, some kid in my class didn’t stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance, and the teacher made him, so I’m doing it to make a point and stand up for his rights.” Well, this was bad enough.

Tuscola High is one of the few schools in the country that starts every day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Students are not forced to say it if they so choose, but they must stand to show respect. I thought this was universally understood at our school. It’s school policy. It is something that should be done in every school.

I pointed out to my friend that it is important for us to show respect and devotion to our country and kindly asked where his patriotism was. I was informed that standing up for someone else’s rights is patriotism. To my dismay, I wasn’t able to respond because another member of the class spoke up. This supremely intelligent being informed the class that she never stood up for the Pledge because “Bush is an idiot.” I asked her what that had to do with being an American.

She said that she had the right to not stand for the pledge because of Bush. Without much restraint I informed her that whether or not you agree with the President had nothing to do with patriotism. She added greatly to this intellectual discussion by again yelling out that “Bush is an idiot.”

I said number one, it was unfortunate that she felt that way, because over 60 million other people disagreed with her. At this point, I asked her if she thought Bush was stupid. It was an appropriate question. Liberals love to accuse the President of being the dumb guy in the room. Predictably, she said, “Yes,” she did think he was stupid. I then asked her if she thought Bush lied to the American people to mislead us into war with Iraq. She again answered, “Yes.” I asked her how, if Bush is so stupid, did he fool the entire world into thinking that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction? She didn’t have an answer. Needless to say, the whole rest of the week was spent on the idea of patriotism. We wrote essays on it.

Why do I relate this story? To illustrate a point. American kids have no concept of the amazing priviledge they have. We live in the greatest country in the world, yet we have people that cannot grasp that concept. The basic idea of patriotism is rooted in a love for your fellow man. Because you love your fellow man, you love the country in which you live. This is the country that gave you your birth. This is the country that gave you your freedom. This country, through the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, gives you both protection and freedom, both with no strings attached. In return, we should give our nation our love, devotion, and deep respect.

This is patriotism. This is an essential quality that America’s youth is missing. Kids my age have no concept whatsoever of other countries in the world that have no freedom, no liberty and are not truly great. America is truly great. Not because of our monetary wealth, but because we consider the wealth of the individual human being. The citizen, the individual is the true wealth of a nation. That is why we can be patriotic because through its people, America is truly wealthy.

It is time for us to wake up and educate our young people as to the concepts and practices of patriotism before it is too late. In the 60’s when prayer was taken out of schools, we Christian Conservatives sat on our blessed ass-urance and did nothing. When the Supreme Court illegally legalized abortion, Christian Conservatives did the same thing. It is time for us to do something. It is time for us to take back our public schools. It is time for us to actually start teaching history, not liberal dogma. It is time for the values of patriotism to become the norm once again.

My dad and I recently stopped at Arlington National Cemetery on our way back from Vermont. Walking among the rows and rows of white crosses in that wonderful, horrible, hallowed place was the most amazing experience I have ever had. Whether these men in life were rich or poor, black or white, Democrat or Republican, they were all Americans. They all sacrificed their lives for their country, the ultimate act of patriotism. We must not allow ourselves to forget. Rather let us take upon ourselves the spirit of Nathan Hale, who being hanged by the British for being a Patriot spy said his one regret was, “That I have but one life to give for my country.”

Brian Sears is a sophomore at Tuscola High School in North Carolina. He is the founder of the Haywood County Teenage Republican Club and the Executive Director for Draft Mike Pence for President in the 11th District. He lives in Waynesville with his parents and siblings. He can be contacted at bcsears@praize.com.