1 post tagged “pride”
Earlier today, upon the inauguration of President Barack Obama, I said that I was proud to be an American again. Something has always troubled me about that phrase, though; “proud to be an American”. Does it mean “I’m proud that I’m an American”?
I’m definitely happy that I’m an American. I’ve always been happy, always glad to be an American. I’ve always felt very fortunate that I was born in this country and for all the benefits that have come with it. I’ve traveled to several other countries and couldn’t imagine not calling the USA home.
But pride is different. I’m proud of positive things that I’ve personally done that have taken effort. For instance, I’m proud of my college degrees, I’m proud of the business I’ve grown, I’m proud of my landscaping projects, and I’m proud of my marriage.
I can also be proud of other people for the things that they have done. For example, I’m proud of my wife for her successes in her education and career. I’m proud of my friends and family for their accomplishments. If I had children I’m sure I would be proud of them for their achievements.
Immigrants to the US, who have had to struggle to attain their citizenship have a right to be proud of their US citizenship. But I never did anything special for mine. I was just born here. For me, being proud of my American-ness is like being proud that I’m human, or have brown hair, or that I’m relatively tall, or anything else I had no control over.
So instead of saying that I’m proud to be an American, let me say that I’m again “proud of America”.
I couldn’t have said that honestly for a long time. I was not proud of America during most of the George W. Bush administration. I was not proud that our government removed freedoms from its people. I was not proud of the corruption in our federal government. I was not proud that Bush usurped powers to the point of undermining the government’s system of checks and balances. I was not proud that Bush escaped legal action for the crimes he committed. I was not proud that under the Bush administration, scientists trying to help humanity and future generations – to explain global climate change and urge action, for example – were ignored and/or ridiculed. I’m not proud that industries reliant on math and science in America are losing ground to those in other countries. I was not proud that our government changed its policy of peace to a policy of war. I was not proud that the Bush administration killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people abroad. I’m not proud of the immeasurable damage our government has done to its people, people around the world and to its reputation.
But today, I’m very proud of America. I’m proud of my country, my fellow Americans, for having elected such an intelligent and ethical leader. I’m proud of Barack Obama for what he has achieved on this historic day. I expect to be proud of President Obama for his accomplishments in the coming years. I’m proud of America for having begun to repair the damage done by the Bush administration.
