Are We Losing Our American Identity?
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Are We Losing Our American Identity?

When our flags go up in flames, so do we.

39
Are We Losing Our American Identity?
Pexels

Maybe it's the optimist in me, but when times are tough I try not to dwell too much on the negatives. There are so many ways to change your thinking and there are so many positives to look at in life that it's just a waste to think in ways that are depreciating to your, and those around you's, happiness.

This more optimistic thinking would really help to improve the sense of togetherness that we all seem to be lacking nowadays. If one only looks at our inherent differences, he or she might start to think that we're all irreparably different and this will only continue to cause issues. Instead, in my opinion, one should look positively at what we all share.

No matter which candidate you supported, what your religious beliefs are, born here or not, male or female, no matter who you are, if you live here in America we ALL have one thing in common- we are Americans. We have infinite types of individual differences between us from eye color to our tastes in food, but one thing that unites us all is the fact that we share this country of residence, this identity.

In my opinion, this is a fact that we should all celebrate as perhaps our only common identity, one we can all understand and appreciate together.

Yet as time goes on, more and more people are treating this identity as virtually meaningless.

People are burning the American flag, the symbol for the country of America. This country stands for freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If you do not believe that these principles are being enforced and executed properly then that is a different story, but burning the embodiment of these rights is not making any statement other than disrespect towards their integrity.

America, the country founded on these undisputed good ideals, is not the issue. If how the leaders are interpreting this mission is the problem, then engage yourself in the political system or protest the ones who control it. Showing violence and disregard towards a symbol of freedom and happiness is completely counter-intuitive to your goals.

But believe it or not, I digress.

I did want to address flag burning in this article because that is a part of what I'm about to talk about. However, there is another, perhaps more dangerous threat to our unity that is being exercised.

Hampshire College in Massachusetts has recently removed its American flag from their campus's flagpole.

Due to the violence going on across the country following the election results, the college lowered its flag to half mast in respect and memory of those who are being hurt. Right before Veterans Day, when the campus was going to raise it again in honor of those who have defended these ideas of life and freedom embodied in the flag, the flag was found, burnt.

In response to this act, the college did not immediately raise another flag to show their dedication to the ideals of the country, or to reinforce the shared identity of all of its students. The campus instead decided not to fly another flag for the time being.

A quote from a statement from the President of the college said, "After some preliminary consultation with campus constituents (much more is needed), we decided on Friday that we will not fly the U.S. flag or any other flags on our college flagpole for the time being. We hope this will enable us in the near term to instead focus our efforts on addressing racist, misogynistic, Islamophobic, anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and behaviors."

To me, this makes it seem like they are grouping the ideals of the aforelisted communities- their unique racial identities, sexual identities, religious identities, etc.- as different foreign to the American ideals. Instead of focusing on the American identity, they will instead focus on these other individual and different identities. In this, they are undercutting other serious threats to mutual happiness; togetherness and solidarity and instead spotlighting what makes us all different.

The American identity is the umbrella category. We are all living in America and even regardless of one's defining citizenship, this is a commonality. We all share this one similarity, our residency in a country based upon good ideals, and we are beginning to ignore this. We are starting to focus more on individual differences.

What we should be focusing on are our similarities. What we have in common, as humans. We should have pride in America, and pride in what the country means and stands for. This country being our residency is perhaps the only thing we all have in common... let's celebrate it rather than forget it.

Do not confuse the flag, a symbol for good and moral principles, with the threats you feel to these principles. If the real issues are the leaders of this country improperly exercising their power and poorly interpreting these good ideals, then look to make changes there instead.

But shifting the focus away from our commonalities to our differences seems dangerous. Showing disrespect and disregard by burning or removing this symbol of shared identity, in my opinion, will only further the divide and hatred already so present in this country.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57765
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37227
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958930
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191921
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments