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One nation for all is the American way
By Elizabeth Turnbull
Editorials Editor

I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. How starkly these words contrast with "We’ll put a boot in your ass — It’s the American way," a line from the popular country music single, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," by Toby Keith. While claiming to be patriotic, in this song Keith crosses the precarious line between patriotism and nationalism.

In the shadow of the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and bordering on a possible war with Iraq, many United States citizens and residents are feeling a surge of patriotism and pride as we fly our flags from our houses and pin them to our shirts. But we must be careful that we do not let this wave of emotion take control of our lives and turn a beautiful tool of unity into an ugly weapon of division. When patriotism becomes nationalism, it causes destruction where there should be healing, hate where we desire love and distrust where we need confidence.

The American way, according to Keith and those who think like him, is to react with force, to go into foreign nations and "put a boot in their ass." What he doesn’t mention, however, is that these very lands form the core of our nation. The "American way" is rooted in the traditions and ways of our ancestors, all of whom immigrated to the Americas at one point or another.

The truly patriotic attitude lies not in violence, but in a solid, global education. Only in learning about the countries that make up our collective identity can we honor the present United States. Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific islands, these are what make us "American." These are what make us special. Traveling to foreign lands, learning another language, reading multicultural books. This is the patriotic reaction to national adversity and tragedy. We cannot understand ourselves if we do not first understand our roots.

Being American means so much more than being a citizen of the United States. Colombians, Mexicans, Brazilians and Cubans are all Americans, as are those indigenous to this land. Being a patriotic American means that we not only take pride in the United States, but in the Americas as a whole. And to take pride in them, we must first learn about our neighbors who, through recent influxes in immigration, are quickly becoming close neighbors and part of our America. We don’t do this by putting a "boot in their ass" or "shaking our fist."

In June, Peter Jennings, the Canadian host of World News Tonight, vetoed Keith from performing his single on the Fourth of July TV special.

"I find it interesting that he’s not from the U.S.," Keith said in USA Today article published in June. "I bet Dan Rather’d let me do it on his special."

This nationalistic attitude of distrust toward those not from the United States is inappropriate and dangerous, especially when directed toward individuals.

"And it’s gonna be hell / When you hear Mother Freedom start ringing her bell," the lyrics say. "And it’ll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you / Ah, brought to you, courtesy of the red, white and blue."

It was this very attitude of nationalism and hatred that caused the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Bin Laden taught his followers to hate Americans and to defend the nation of Islam at all costs. The same nationalism brought to you courtesy of the red, white and blue. War, even in self-defense, should never carry gloating. War, especially in sometimes-necessary reaction to an attack such as that of Sept. 11, is always tragic.

Jennings didn’t find the song offensive just because he is Canadian. One need not be a "non-American" to see that the lyrics of this song stand in opposition to the very principles of "life, liberty and justice for all," upon which our nation is founded.

And now, as we face a possible war with Iraq, nationalism poses an even greater threat to our country. Acting independently of our allies and going against the desires of the United Nations will only create more global hostility toward the United States and further isolate us from our neighbors, from our heritage — a price we cannot afford to pay.

Instead of looking inward and closing our borders to all who speak, act or dress differently than us, let’s react to the events of the past year with a truly patriotic attitude.

Let’s fight to make this "one nation under God with liberty and justice for all" — it’s the American way.

Editorials Editor Elizabeth Turnbull is a senior Spanish major.