What does it truly mean to be an American? Is it defined by saying the pledge every day or hanging a flag outside your front door? Maybe it is how active you are in politics or how long you served in the armed forces? Or perhaps it is simply being a citizen of the United States?
In the past, patriotism has run rampant in America, especially during wartime. The Second World War, for example, was considered a peak of American pride. Entire streets would be lined with houses bearing red, white and blue banners. Posters supporting war bonds decorated shop windows. Radio advertisements to “Join the Army” and “Support your Country” were heard during nearly every commercial break. Days were set aside to send food to American troops, like Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesday. It is with this spirit, the spirit of giving and of sacrifice, that Americans endured a war in which we were attacked on our own soil and lost thousands of lives.
Almost a decade ago, a catastrophic event occurred in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. The disastrous terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, the Pentagon and the attempted hit in Washington D.C. will forever be remembered in history books as one of the greatest tragedies to occur in American history. However this nation is already forgetting about this disaster. While during World War II, Pearl Harbor acted as a catalyst to American patriotism and brought the country into action and awareness, the reaction to the Sept. 11 attack was very different.
In 2001, commercials promoting American unity filled television screens all around the country. American flag sales soared and through this horrific event, a new sense of pride in American permeated the nation. This feeling, however, was short-lived.
Today American morale is at an all-time low with an uncertain economy weighing heavily on the minds of all. Broadcasts are filled with stories of Dow Jones trends and politics instead of what a wartime country should be addressing: war.
Some may argue that this lack of American patriotism is a result of the economic condition of our country, but this trend of not supporting our nation began midway through the first decade of this century, well before we began to feel the results of the economic downturn.
Most recently, at the 2011 Super Bowl, Christina Aguilera forgot the lyrics to the National Anthem. This incident’s occurrence is following a trend of important social figures miss-singing the anthem, including Jesse McCartney, Michael Bolton and the Eli Young Band.
These are all examples of the social climate of this nation, one of disappointment and lack of pride. Citizens need to once again hang flags outside their homes and support our troops in other countries. Hopefully as this new decade dawns, American patriotism will return to its normal level in our nation.
