In today’s polarized America, the symbols of patriotism — once shared with pride across the political spectrum — have become battlegrounds for ideological supremacy. The recent events at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago mark a significant moment in reclaiming these symbols. Democrats are asserting their right to the word, “patriot”, to the American flag and the chant of “USA! USA!” as tools to represent all Americans, not just a single political faction.
The hijacking of patriotic symbols by MAGA Conservatives over the past few election cycles has created a narrow, exclusionary vision of what it means to be American. This appropriation is more than just a political maneuver; it’s an attempt to monopolize the very essence of national identity, casting those who dissent as less patriotic or even un-American. It’s a dangerous precedent, one that risks fracturing the collective spirit of our nation by suggesting that only one segment has the true claim to these symbols.
The Democrats’ move to reclaim these symbols is crucial for restoring a broader, more inclusive vision of patriotism. By doing so, they assert that the American flag, the chant of “USA! USA!”, and the idea of patriotism itself belong to all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. This act of reclaiming is not merely symbolic; it’s an ultimate assertion of unity and inclusiveness. It’s about ensuring that these symbols reflect the diverse, democratic fabric of our nation, rather than being co-opted to serve a singular, divisive agenda.
It’s vital for every American to recognize that patriotism cannot be monopolized. The flag and the national chant are not the property of one ideology but are symbols that represent the ideals and aspirations of a nation. By embracing these symbols in their full, inclusive capacity, Americans can counteract the divisive rhetoric that has sought to narrow the scope of what it means to be patriotic. This act of reclaiming is a powerful statement against exclusionary tactics and a reaffirmation of the democratic principle that patriotism is about embracing the entirety of the nation’s diversity.
Ultimately, reclaiming these symbols is about reinforcing the idea that America belongs to all of us. It’s a call to embrace our shared values and collective identity, to ensure unification rather than division. In doing so, we affirm that the spirit of America is best represented not by narrowing the scope of our symbols, but by celebrating their capacity to encompass every voice and every identity.
—P.
Art by Keith Haring, visit the Keith Haring Foundation to learn more about Keith and his artistic and philanthropic legacy.
Publisher
As a child my mother said to me, ‘If you grow up to be a soldier, you will become a general. If you grow up to be a monk, you will become the Pope.’ Instead, I grew up to be a degenerate, and now I’m publisher of SCREW.
