On this Independence Day Eve as I sit here in bed next to my dear husband with windows open to the sound of popping and crackling fireworks, I find myself contemplating the subject of my own patriotism. As a child, Independence Day, aka the 4th of July, meant barbequeing, fireworks, staying up late, and playing outside all day; in school we sang songs such as "America the Beautiful" and "Grand Old Flag." Now, as an adult I find that this day has very little meaning other than a day off with friends and family on which we barbeque and play badmitten, possibly lighting a sparkler or two. Of course I appreciate what our forefathers and mothers went through to gain independece for this country. I also recognize that we are very priveleged to live in a country with many freedoms and luxuries. But, at this particular time of year I find myself (internally) scoffing at those whose patriotism more closely resembles nationalism, at those who believe that this great country is the be-all-end-all of places on this planet, and at those who are under the impression that this country and all of its "interactions" with other countries are correct and even sanctioned from a higher power. We are not the only country with the freedom of religion, the freedom of press, or the freedom of self-expression. I am tired of hearing (at church in particular) "thank goodness God created this country where we could practice religion freely," as if we are the only ones! Many countries contain happy citizens of all types--several of them doing better than we are now.
Sometimes I just want to shout out and remind people of some of the atrocities in this country's past, to bring them back to the reality that yes, this country has a lot going for it, but no, it is not perfect. We must remember our mistakes in order to avoid repeating them. In heeding the call of manifest destiny, our anscestor's God-given right to move West and settle throughout the continent resulted in the slaughtering and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. Less than fifty years ago this country was one of segregated schools, buses, and benches. In this past two decades, many women still fought for the right to earn equal pay for equal work. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing. Big corporations are recieving tax breaks. Our air and waterways are polluted daily by cars, factories, and oil spills. We have now been at war for an entire decade--WAR.
I believe that true patriotism should be demonstrated not by spending loads of money and resources on fireworks and flag-covered t-shirts and visors, but by taking steps to continue to heal this country's wounds. We should be out planting trees and picking up litter. We should be feeding the homeless. We should be supporting our leader's efforts to bring home our troops. We should also be remembering. We should remember the struggle that our ancestors went through to gain independence, but we should also remember the trials we have been through as a people. We should respect and honor those who have been wronged in the past and renew our efforts to change things for the better. These are the things that make a true patriot.
While I find myself troubled in regards to patriotism for my country, I am absolutely brimming with patriotism for my state. Oregon! My Oregon! I love Oregon with it's beautiful landscapes--its vallies, deserts, mountains, lakes, rivers, and seashore. I love the green trees, the clean water, and the nice people here. I feel a kinship with my fellow Oregonians; I often feel quite close to Washintonians and northern Californians as well. I don't however feel any sort of companionship to New Yorkers, Wisconsonites, Floridians, or people from other parts of the country. Sure I don't want anything bad to happen to them, but I don't feel any more connected to them than people from Canada, Argentina, or Japan. Frankly, and you may think I am horrible for saying so, I think this country is just too big. There is too much diversity here to be effectively managed and governed by one body. People and places in different parts of the country have different needs--no one system can successfully meet them all.
At times when I struggle with the flaws of the nation, I retreat to a land that will likely never exist, but gives me great solace. Ernest Callenbach, author of one of my favorite books Ecotopia, wrote a story in which Oregon, Washington, and northern California secede from the union and form their own country. This country is beautiful and sustainable. People are friendly and trustworthy. People are in charge, not corporations. I want to live in Ecotopia. I could be an unwavering and faithful patriot of Ecotopia.
