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What is Patriotism? Obama Among Millions of Americans Exploring, Expressing Pride in the U.S.
Date: 2008-07-03 10:09:49
Michael H. Cottman and Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb.com
So just how patriotic is Barack Obama?
The Democratic presidential candidate is wearing his American flag pin a bit more these days and talks frequently about his love for the USA, but questions still persist about Obama’s commitment to the nation. His past refusal to wear the lapel flag pin along with a photo of him not putting his hand over his heart during the National Anthem led conservatives on Internet and in the media to question his patriotism.
But some black folks say they're downright tired of the anti-patriotism stigma attached to Obama.
"Enough already," Bill Murrain, an Atlanta attorney and political observer, told BlackAmericaWeb.com Wednesday. "I grew up in a place in the Americas where one could be arrested for not carrying a government issued ID book that if it did not have the correct stamp of the correct political party you could easily land in jail."
"Patriotism is a living entity, exemplified by one's commitment to contributing to, appreciating and enjoying all that his country has to offer. Each of us can best demonstrate our patriotism through living a life committed to making our community, country and the world a better place for all," Murrain said. "True patriotism does not reside in the person who shouts the loudest from the highest roof top or wraps themselves in the largest flag as against all others. In the words of Dick Gregory, 'Our challenge is to make American Democracy so enticing that others would want to steal it from us, rather than our having to force it down the throats of others at the barrel of a gun.' ”
The issue of Obama’s patriotism has resurfaced during the July 4th weekend and some political observers say the issue could haunt Obama during the campaign as Republicans begin to compare Obama to Republican Sen. John McCain, a war hero and a former prisoner of war.
Obama said this week he will never question others' patriotism during the race and blames his own "carelessness" for some criticism of him so far. He sought to reassure voters about his commitment to the country, choosing the aptly named town of Independence as his backdrop. He forcefully defended his patriotism against anyone who would challenge it, declaring he wouldn't stand for persistent rumors questioning his loyalty and aimed at sinking his presidential campaign.
"I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign, and I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine," he said to a crowd of supporters this week.
Charles D. Ellison, chief editor of Blackpolicy.org and resident analyst/host on XM Radio, said it's unfortunate that the patriotism debate draws more attention from issues like inflation, recession, rising gas and food prices, energy demand and a perilous geo-political environment. Ellison also said that Obama shouldn't get baited into the patriotism frenzy out of concern that he could oversell on marketing himself as an authentic patriot.
"Compared with Sen. McCain's war record, Obama's perceived patriotism points are low," Ellison told BlackAmericaWeb.com Wednesday. "If he frames his campaign to focus on patriotism as a central theme, he could risk becoming disingenuous as he enters political territory that McCain dominates. Keep it real; don't let the opposition draw you on their turf. Republicans have had great electoral success when doing this."
For many black voters, Ellison said, the patriotism debate is one that doesn't seem to resonate as intensely like employment and education -- issues that have a direct impact on quality of life.
"Black voters are more concerned with current social, economic and political realities," Ellison said. "Plus, the Black perspective on patriotism is much more complex and unique given the collective history, and so they convey it in a manner that is culturally unique. This doesn't hurt Obama's relationship with the African-American community; in fact, it may actually strengthen the bond as black voters will identify with his struggle as a black man having to prove his worth and level of national commitment to a dominant white society. Black voters can identify with that."
African-Americans have always been forced to defend their patriotism -- or even define it. Some say patriotism means something altogether different for black Americans than for others.
“As a black man, growing up in America is a unique experience. In my veins flows the blood of this country's oldest residents but most recent citizens,” said Sean Gibbs, an army captain stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., who has served two tours of duty in Iraq.
“I spent 11 months in an environment where people didn't care what the color of my skin was. The only thing that mattered was sending those 33 men in my charge home in the same condition they left in. The enemy hated the flag on my right shoulder. For the first time in my entire life I felt like an American. No hyphenated sub group. Just an American,” Gibbs told BlackAmericaWeb.com in an e-mail. “When you come to that realization you begin to realize the stupidity of all those classifications. There wouldn't be an Independence Day without blacks. This country was built on the backs of my ancestors and continues to be protected by their blood.”
Questions about Obama’s patriotism were raised during the Democratic nomination fight, and Obama recently started wearing a flag pin on his lapel in one attempt to answer them. But a weeklong focus on American values in the run-up to Friday's July 4 holiday represents his most concerted effort so far to do so. Obama said he chose the topic in part because of his experience during the race, even though he has always considered his love of country a given and his inspiration for running for office.
"I have found, for the first time, my patriotism challenged -- at times as a result of my own carelessness, more often as a result of the desire by some to score political points and raise fears about who I am and what I stand for," he said before a crowd of a few hundred people at the Truman Memorial Building here. "I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign. And I will not stand idly by when I hear others question mine."
Opponents of Sen. John Kerry proved in the 2004 election that voters are sensitive to suggestions that a candidate is not sufficiently patriotic. The Democratic presidential nominee's campaign was torpedoed by critics of his Vietnam War record called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, even though he won multiple military honors and was lauded by his superiors.
The Swift Boat campaign started as a relatively small television ad buy that exploded into an issue that dogged Kerry for months. The Massachusetts senator has conceded since losing to President Bush that the campaign and his lackluster response to unsubstantiated allegations he considered unworthy of a reaction likely cost him the election. And the term even became part of the campaign lexicon -- swift boating.
Yvonne Latty, author of "We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans, from World War II to the War in Iraq," said it was important that going into the Fourth of July Holiday that African-Americans be heralded, not forced to fight for respect or have their patriotism questioned.
“The 4th is a time to celebrate and remember the sacrifices that African-Americans have made for this country. Too often it is forgotten. The revolution began with the death of a black man, Crispus Attucks, and few folks know that Harriet Tubman was a veteran too, serving in the Civil War, as a scout, a spy and a nurse.
“Over a million soldiers served in WWII, and we have served in countless wars,” Latty told BlackAmericaWeb.com. "This holiday belongs to us. It is a time for us to reflect and celebrate our independence and the countless lives lost for us to have that right.”
Obama already is the subject of a shadowy smear campaign based on the Internet that falsely suggests he's a Muslim intent on destroying the United States. Obama is a Christian and has been fighting the e-mail hoax, which also claims he doesn't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, and he's been trying to correct the misinformation.
"Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America," Obama frequently tells voters.
Here’s what Obama has said about the issue of his patriotism: “I love this country not because it's perfect, but because we've always been able to move it closer to perfection. Because through revolution and slavery; war and depression; great battles for civil rights and women's rights and worker's rights, generations of Americans have shown their love of country by struggling and sacrificing and risking their lives to bring us that much closer to our founding promise. And as long as I live, I will never forget that I am only standing here because they did... That is the country I love. That is the promise of America.”
Ellison said the patriotism debate is a non-issue.
“A back and forth over who has or salutes to a bigger flag can get a bit distracting,” he said. “Already, this particular election cycle appears a bit too preoccupied with candidate and surrogate ‘flip-flops,’ missteps, and gaffes. This can, potentially, trivialize a rather high stakes election. It's absolutely critical that we know more about the candidate's policy positions than about where he spends July 4th.”
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Associated Press contributed to this story.
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Source: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/movingamerica08/obamapatriotism703
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