If I had to come up with one incident that defined the mood and sentiment of this country back in March of 2003, it would have to be the renaming of the french fries in the cafeteria of the House of Representatives from 'french' fries to 'freedom' fries.
In March of 2003, the House of Representatives, indignant at the lack of support by the French government in the run-up to the war in Iraq, renamed 'french fries' on their cafeteria menu to 'freedom fries'. At the time the move was heavily covered by the media and seemed an act of defiant patriotism. Americans around the nation cheered our leaders for their defiant and witty stand against the hated French.
And I.... I must confess, went right along with them.
Today, though, looking through the lens of hindsight, and upon hearing news that the House has quietly changed course and renamed the fried potatoes back to 'french' fries, I'm a bit more introspective. The truth is, today the whole episode all just seems... well, rather silly. Upon reflection however, it's also quite sobering.
Instead of a unifying act of patriotism and defiance, as I saw it back then, I now see it for what it really was-- a peculiar but obnoxious brand of nationalism mixed with group-think. I have to admit that at the time, though I found the whole goofy episode satisfying in a perverse sort of way. Forget the fact that I was, at best, ambivalent about the prospects of war, confused about the rationale for war, and praying fervently that sanctions and inspections would eventually get the job done in place of war. Forget about rationality and nuance and complexity. The hated French had dared challenge us! So take that, you ingrates!
Today I see the whole episode for what it really was - a silly, arrogant, and misguided attempt at solidarity. The question I have though is, why did I ever see it as anything more? Indeed, it actually made me proud to be an American to see my representatives behaving in such a childish way. I lost all sense of perspective and was firmly behind the camp that saw the French as traitors. And because they were traitors, well, all things French had to go, including things that weren't really French in the first place, like fried potatoes.
I confess, supporting the name change to 'freedom' fries seemed like the right thing to do; after all, it was an act of solidarity- a collective national nose-snubbing to the French, and a warning to the world who dared challenge us. And it made me proud to be an American. I guess something had to make me proud to be an American.
Today, as I hear news that the fried potato has recovered its original name, (of course our sheepish representatives have no comment about it) I'm more than a little ashamed about the whole episode.
At the same time, though and in a strange way, I'm also hopeful about this story. Because, well, could it be... dare I hope, that the return of the 'french' fry reflects more than just a name change?
Could it signify that indeed the wind of sentiment is shifting? Could it be that the stench in the air that lured some of us to act like ugly Americans-- falsely indignant, obnoxious, stomping on French flags, boycotting French goods and eating 'freedom' fries --has dissipated?
Could it be that the laughing gas that is the Bush propaganda machine which cast its ugly spell on so many of us Americans, encouraging us to act like petulant and simple-minded children, has finally worn off?
Seriously, could this be one more sign that America is waking up from its self-induced nap?
To be sure, many are still groggy, still fighting the effects of the laughing gas, but thankfully, many more are no longer asleep.
Welcome Back America and welcome back 'French' Fries.