Every once in a while, you are struck by how truly strange our political world has become.  I am not referring to the disfunction in our US government (directly) but rather our day-to-day interactions between seemingly normal, patriotic Americans.  Case in point:  I had a very interesting interaction with my SAR compatriots, on Washington’s Birthday and it has presented me with a paradox I would like to explore further.

For the last several months, I have been participating in a program, run by the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides, HISTORY MATTERS[1].  These are free presentations by various tour guides and affiliated people at the key sites within Independence National Historic Park where the history marginalized groups can be highlighted. Of course, with the recent kerfuffle between the City of Philadelphia and the National Park Service over the displays at the President’s House and all this happening during Black History Month[2], most of our stories have focused on Black History and the stories of Washington’s Slaves.

On March 27, 2025, Donald Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This order directed the secretary of the Department of the Interior to make sure that displays at national parks do not “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living (including persons living in colonial times).” Instead, he said, they are to “focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.”  On the face of it, this order seems harmless enough, after all, don’t we all want to emphasize the great progress our country has made during our celebration of the Semiquincentennial?  The problem, of course, is how this order was interpreted which seems to be to censor all history that does not fit the MAGA narrative.  It’s really a shame because they could have done so much had they just realized that a full telling American history, including the history of slavery, Black resistance, the Civil Right Movement is focusing on “the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people!”

So enough of that soapbox.  The paradox of President’s Day was that in the morning, I and my fellow SAR compatriots presented colors in honor of George Washington’s Birthday with all the fanfare that this event is due, then in the afternoon, I switched to storyteller and joined the HISTORY MATTERS presentations.  Some of my SAR compatriots seemed perplexed and thought this behavior was incongruent.  I, however, do not see any incongruency in this day.  BOTH are extreme acts of patriotism, both activities are focused on highlighting why Americans should be proud of their history, and both programs are focused on teaching American History. 

Patriotism is not flag-waving and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  It’s not about celebrating our national holidays and symbols.  Patriotism is DEFENDING our republic against slander, abuse, and harm.  It’s about reminding people we are a republic and as citizens of that republic we have both rights and responsibilities.  It’s about celebrating our great accomplishments AND acknowledging, then working to correct, our shortcomings.  Patriots do not offer uncritical love of country, that is fascism; we offer our support, pledge to correct our deficiencies, and work tirelessly to achieve a “more perfect union.”  This means that when our democracy is endangered, we don’t continue business as usual, we stand up, we speak out, and engage in that time-honored expression of patriotism – protest and dissent.

Too many people think that it is the obligation of citizens to unquestioningly support their country no matter what the leaders of our country do.  This happened in the ’50s when a house committee condemned citizens for being “Un-American.” It occurred again in the ’60s, when the KKK slogan was, “America – Love it or Leave it.” It’s happening today, when leaders demand blind nationalism and loyalty.  This sort of simpleminded rote patriotism is both childish and insincere.  To truly love your country, it is not sufficient to salute the flag and say pledges, you must ACT like a citizen and this means volunteering for community service (like History Matters), supporting our military, voting, serving on juries, and sometimes, protesting injustices.

Ours is a nation born in protest.  “No Taxation Without Representation[3]” is commonly taught to our schoolchildren as one of the principle causes of the American Revolution.  Even the very topic of slavery at the President’s House, that we speak of during History Matters is a protest in that George Washington, then President of the United States, was PROTESTING the 1780 Gradual Manumission Act claiming it was applied unfairly to his household because, unlike others who came to Philadelphia, the President was not there by choice nor was he a citizen of Pennsylvania.  Thomas Jefferson may never have said, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.” But he did say, “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing for America[4].”  If you are not rebelling today, you are clearly either not patriotic or are uninformed.

So, please continue to proudly fly our flag, even if you disapprove of our nation’s leaders.  Please remember that our soldiers, sailors and airmen are serving an ideal not a particular President so when they obey orders, they are doing so in the name of the United States, not its President or even its Congress.  Remember that those who engage in peaceful protest are exercising hard earned rights and without dissent, support is subservient and meaningless. Stand up for what is right, and stand against injustice and oppression.  Behave like our Founders don’t hide behind the lessons of the American Revolution as if it’s a shield for all crimes.  In short, BE AN AMERICAN don’t just say you want the freedoms being an American affords you.

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[1] https://phillyguides.org/event/history-matters-free-talks-by-tour-guides-4/

[2] Why is Black History Month during the shortest month of the year?

[3] While Parliament actually LOWERED the taxes, they did so by imposing taxes not authorize or consented to by the colonial legislatures.   

[4] Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787

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