By Lois E. Wilson
Partisanship is defined as prejudice in favor of a particular cause, bias, or “an act of blatant political division.” I am concerned for our country; its identity politics are creating multiple groups which seem to be at odds with each other. Some are even trying to “cancel culture” our history.
On June 14th every year, we celebrate the 1777 adoption of the flag of the United States by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. Some groups now openly dishonor the flag by not rising, turning their backs on it, or burning it for their causes. Are we going to let the U.S.A. turn into the “United States Asunder?”
Woodrow Wilson stated, “The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is not the embodiment of sentiment, but of history.”
Patriotism is defined as devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. We should be proud of its virtues such as freedom and rights. As we have seen in the news, people are risking their lives to come to this country to join in the opportunities it offers.
Many through the years have made observations about partisanship and patriotism. Here are a few reminders about their perspectives: Jonathon Swift said, “Party is the madness of many for the gain of a few.” Nietzsche observed, “The beating of drums which delights young writers who serve a party, sounds to him who does not belong like a rattling of chains and excites sympathy rather than admiration.”
John F. Kennedy often gave advice: “A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.” He warned, “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”
I hope I never become so callous or hard-hearted, that tears don’t form in my eyes when I see our flag being carried by a group of scouts, a school band, or our military. The same reaction occurs when a formation of airplanes does a flyover at an event.
In 1865, Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address urged the nation to “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.”
We are the “US” in USA. We must rise to the challenges of our day—to protect our rights and freedoms, preserve peace, and promote prosperity for all nations.
Let us turn partisanship into partnership. It’s definitely up to US!
© 2021 Lois E. Wilson