Sept. 11 Anniversary to Renew Questions Over U.S. Patriotism

As everyday Americans, we quarrel with, look down on and detest each other. We refuse to look past our differences, never missing an opportunity to embellish those differences. We practice hate crimes, whether it's denying a person admission into an establishment because of what he or she is or killing him or her because of it.

That is, until we are forced to be just "American," like we were after the attacks against our country ensued. The difference between the everyday American and the fair-weather patriotic American is distinct and obnoxious.

After Sept. 11, no longer were we fill-in-the-blank-Americans (African American, Native American, Hispanic American, etc.), just American. Not a woman, poor person, homosexual, etc. trying to make it or to be accepted in America, just American.

In many cases it takes devastation to cause motivation, downfall to aid success and chaos to bring positive change. However, in the case of Sept. 11 it took too much -- about 3,000 deaths, destroyed American landmarks, lost hope and a really pissed off population -- to cause patriotism. And that's sad.

After Sept. 11, we suddenly could identify with each other. There were many "this shows us how petty we are" speeches, as well as epiphanies that we could overcome that pettiness.

Well, I'm sure many people knew better, but I think many actually thought it was possible.

Don't get me wrong. No doubt, after the Sept. 11 attacks, patriotism was widespread and commendable -- let's just say I wish I had invested in the flag business right before it happened. It didn't last, though. Months after, the "we are the world" sentiment became "we are better than the world." And we stopped caring as much.

The Red Cross boasts that more people gave blood between Sept. 11 and Oct. 1 than ever before in that time period but regrets that only 20 percent gave blood later. This is only one example, and I'm not going to go into every volunteer organization that has lost participants since Sept. 11.

The point is that patriotism in most cases is not as heartfelt as it should be. Many people don't care about patriotism until they think their democracy and way of life is being threatened or mocked.

And unfortunately we were mocked. America, the mighty nation that can conquer and detect all, was attacked by terrorists from "underdeveloped" societies. The terrorists trained on American soil and got satisfaction by proving their point -- America is not as invincible as she thinks.

The fact that people decide to band together and attempt to make change only when they feel threatened demonstrates the lack of sincerity in collectiveness.

Now, a year later, new information have evolved and we're at war. Ground Zero has been cleaned up, attempts to compensate the families have been made, and paranoia about flying has reduced.

In addressing the attacks, President Bush urged Americans to ensure a "culture of service" in America. He got it -- in the form of a trend, not a lasting attempt on the part of Americans, though. Sept. 11 made it cool to wear American emblems on anything one owns, to cry during the Star-Spangled Banner and even to support the president -- unless you're extremely liberal, of course.

Patriotism should never serve as a trend. If after Sept. 11 you put a flag up, gave blood or volunteered, you did a good thing, but not good enough if you've stopped.

Next time a terrible event unfolds on America, become patriotic for life or just pray for the better -- save the performance and don't mock those who were already waving their American flags on Sept. 10.

Love me or hate me. Praise me or condemn me. It's all interchangeable. Contact me at drayton@email.unc.edu.