Michelle Obama’s recent comment about how she is "for the first time in her adult lifetime" beginning to feel pride in America has created a firestorm for all the wrong reasons.
"What we have learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback. And let me tell you something -- or the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud."
Follow me below the fold for an explanation of why...
This statement been parsed to identify the timing of a lack of pride in America and everyone seems to be debating the nuance of exactly when she felt pride in her country, the use of the word "really" and other such non-sense. Then, we seem to focus on the argument of feeling pride in the electoral process as opposed to feeling pride for America. These nuances are missing the point. Pride is very similar to respect except that pride is deeper and more emphatic that respect. Everyone recognizes respect MUST be earned and it is NOT something that can be demanded, yet we expect pride to be different. Why? I believe the reason is because many people confuse the nature of pride with love. I love my country, but I want America to do better than Abu Ghraib, torture, spying on Americans, disrespect for the Constitution of the US etc. and so on, and so on. Should I be proud of these (and other) atrocities? I think NOT! If I do, I would compromise my sense of integrity and my sense of humanity. Apparently, Al Franken is correct when he suggests conservatives are immature about their country when they act like 3 year olds who hate anyone that would criticize mommy. A mother may have unconditional love for her children, but that does NOT translate into pride if that child commits a crime against humanity. Why is one’s love for their country any different? Unfortunately, we believe the GOP talking points and assumptions that pride in our country is unconditional. I believe that assertion is wrong. Love may be unconditional, but pride is earned. Furthermore, I would suggest outrage is warranted IF you love something or someone that openly transgresses against humanity and the principles of your country. Otherwise, you either condone transgressions against humanity or you really don’t care about your country's principles to help your country (or loved one) do better. Patriotism requires vigilance only if those who are vigilant love their country. Pride is NOT unconditional and it is NOT required in order to be patriotic! Pride leads to chauvinistic patriotism that many acknowldege as Jingoism, but love of one's country is different. Love requires honesty and hard work for the benefit of one's country. So, I ask, who is more patriotic... those who admire America's conquests or those who have pride in America's accomplishments for humanity? To suggest pride is unconditional is the same as admiring America's mistakes and accepting less of your country. That's NOT patriotic at all!