There are two functions of Patriotism as a label that is apparent in our
society today. One is a title that people use to label heroes or public
servants who do something honorable for the benefit of others. Another is using
the word Patriot as a tool in names, songs, or titles of things in order to
gain public trust and support. All of these uses of the word Patriotism
seem noble and good. However, I feel that the most important use of the word is
teaching people what it means to be Patriotic. This is accomplished by
instructing them on the history of America and the Patriotic individuals and
Patriotic acts that formed the nation we have today. The history of America is
not being emphasized and taught to the current young adult generation or the adolescent
generation and those is why we must change this particular area of education
and make it a priority.
The term Patriot is not just a
title but a term that can be used as an adjective or description word. The term
Patriot can make any title seem very American, something to connect to and good
for the public. For example, after September 11, 2001 the government used the
term in a title of an Act they wanted to pass quickly.
They called it the patriot ACT. The Act itself allowed government officials a
way to bypass basic rights and gave officials more authority to use even more
measures to fight terror. The use of the term Patriot in the title was
strategically placed there in order to gain support and trust from American
people and the congressmen who were in charge of passing the Act. It was a very
persuasive term that hid a lot of grey areas, but it worked and it was quickly
passed and put to action. The word brought no honor and it didn’t describe a
good deed that someone was doing. The word was a tool used to accomplish a goal
despite outcome of that goal. The use of the word in that way doesn’t do the meaning
of Patriotism justice.
As a
title, the word Patriot can make someone seem almost majestic in their nobility
and gives them an instantaneous amount of trust with all those that recognize
them as a patriot. George Washington is referred to as one of the most
influential Patriots in history because of his influence on the founding of the
United States of America. In our modern day we call the New York Firemen that
sacrificed their lives on September 11, 2011 in order to help others during
that awful time of crisis. The title is given to those that make a sacrifice
for the greater good. Therefore it also describes the actions of a person.
As an action word, Patriotism
describes he noble and selfless service acts that men perform. These acts are
viewed as Patriotic. A modern day Patriot of sorts is Paul Ryan. He is the
United States Representative for Wisconsin's 1st congressional district and
current chairman of the House Budget Committee. Paul Ryan is a Patriot because
he stands up for the values of general public at the expense of his reputation
and public standing. Last September Paul gave a speech at Hillsdale College in
commemoration of Constitution Day. It was there he said
We can strengthen our defense of
liberty if we remember to keep in mind those who are struggling to make ends
meet. What makes our Constitution such an extraordinary document is that, in
making the United States the freest civilization in history, the Founders guaranteed
that it would become the most prosperous as well. The American system of
limited government, low taxes, sound money, and the rule of law has done
more to help the poor than any other economic system ever designed. (Ryan)
Making an
effort to educate and encourage the public to defend the fundamental and basic
rights is a huge feat and a great public service. This is being proactive and
taking action as a patriot. However, I wonder if we are still educated
enough to recognize patriotism in its purest form? Are we even able to define
it or recognize individuals who were and are being patriotic?
It is as though the word has unclear definitions or grey areas in which it can
be used. Back in the time of our countries birth the late 1700 it was a
clear and definitive word used to describe those that fought for their basic
rights against an oppressive government. For example, Thomas Jefferson
dedicated much of his life in pursuit of a greater political government that
could be ruled by the common people. He was commissioned to author the first
draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Over the next 17 days,
Jefferson drafted one of the most beautiful and powerful testaments to liberty
and equality in world history. (Jefferson) However, in order to know and
understand who Jefferson is and appreciate what he did you would need to
understand and know the basics of The United States’ history! And that history
is not being taught nor remembered.
I once taught a class of 18 children from military families. When it was time
to have an activity together I tried to get them to sing Patriotic songs with
me. I tried several songs and all the children just stood in front of me
staring blankly. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing. None of them know a
patriotic song! None of them even knew who George Washington was! There have
been studies done that result in the same astonishing truth that I saw in that
classroom. According to a recent article posted on
college stats.com there are plenty of uneducated Americans. According to their
post it stated
If
kids can’t identify why Lincoln was important, you’d at least think they can
understand why our very first president was an important leader. Nope.
In the 2010 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 23% of fourth
graders were able to point out his status as the first U.S. President,
Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, participation in the Constitutional
Convention, or his role in the French and Indian War. Twenty-four percent
entered inappropriate responses, 45% got partial credit, and 7% didn’t even try
to answer at all. (College Stats)
I know their
lack of knowledge doesn’t reflect all the people in our nation. However, it was
an experience that helped me realize how important it is that we teach children
and each other at any age history! The United Sates history is the story of our
nation, and even the songs that tell that story and help you understand the
events that took place It’s not just children that do not understand our roots
as a country, it is adults that do not know the basic story of how the American
Continent was settled and formed into the United States. Recently, Newsweek
administered the official US citizenship test to 1,000 Americans, the results
showed that
33 percent of respondents didn’t
know when the Declaration of Independence was adopted, 65 percent couldn’t say
what happened at the Constitutional Convention, and 80 percent had no idea who
was president during World War I. In a survey of 14,000 college students in
2006, more than half couldn’t identify the century when the first American
colony was founded at Jamestown, the reason NATO was organized, or which
document says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal.’(Romano)
These
results confirm the truth: Americans don’t know their own history! These
findings are embarrassing! It is astonishing that average people don’t know nor
care about the fundamental facts of the country in which they live. It is like
a citizen of London, England not knowing anything about the British Empire that
used to cover the world. In our day the true understanding of our
nations’ patriots has been forgotten. And with time, the true meaning of the
word Patriotism has been changed.
Understanding and knowing the history of our nation, is an act of Patriotism
alone. If one truly cares about a countries future, one must understand
its roots. Otherwise we are doomed to just keep making the same
mistakes. Aristotle said “If you would understand
anything, observe its beginning and its development.” History
teaches you the good changes and the bad mistakes so that you can move
forward and continue to progress and strengthen what you have already built.
Our forefathers laid the concrete foundation for us. It is now up to us to
understand that historical foundation and continue to build upon them as
we act as patriots, making a brighter and more hopeful future!
Works Cited
College Stats 2011. U.S. Department of Education July 3, 2013
Jacoby, Jeff.
Globe Columnist / June 19, 2011. Don’t
know much about history
Romano, Andrew. Newsweek Magazine. Mar 20, 2011 How
Dumb Are We?
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2011/03/20/how-dumb-are-we.html
Ryan, Paul. National
Review Online.September 11, 2011On the Rule of Law
"Thomas
Jefferson." 2013. The Biography Channel website. July 31, 2013 http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-jefferson-9353715.
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