‘Proud’ to be an American? Try ‘Relieved’
The other day I was driving behind a big SUV with a “Proud to be an American” sticker on the back. The phrase offended me, but not because I’m anti-American.
Now, setting aside the question of whether pride is a desirable emotion in any context, I admit to being proud of a few things in my life. I’m proud to have doggedly kept writing and submitting year after year to work my way up to my first novel sale. I’m proud that I haven’t let my family down in any major way. I’m proud that I’ve had the self-discipline to lose weight and save money. I’m proud that I managed to stick to my studies and earn my doctoral degree.
But these are all achievements. They’re things I’ve had to work hard to attain. By comparison, I was born an American. I didn’t have to do anything to earn it and I haven’t had to do anything to keep it. I’m not sure what I’d have to do to have my American citizenship stripped from me, but I imagine it would have to involve a pretty heinous crime.*
So, saying one is “proud to be an American” doesn’t make any sense for those of us who were born into the system. I don’t think one should be proud of anything one didn’t work hard to attain — or, at the very least, one shouldn’t have the reprehensible taste to brag in public about indulging in such superficial sentiment. Naturalized citizens, now, they can slap “proud to be an American” stickers wherever they want. My Italian-born grandfather worked hard and learned a new language to become an American citizen. My Canadian-born stepmother put in time and effort to pass her U.S. citizenship test. Those two can point to their citizenship as something they studied for and earned. Me, I was just born this way.
It would be fairer to say, I think, that I’m relieved to be an American. America is far from perfect, but I’ve traveled to many other countries and even lived a few years in Italy, and I’ve come to appreciate why American citizenship is so sought-after by citizens of other countries. For all this country’s flaws, it still offers more freedom, peace, opportunity, prosperity, and stability than the other nations in the world. “Relieved to be an American,” or maybe “Grateful to be an American,” would more accurately reflect my feelings on the issue.
Now, I admit, the driver of that SUV might have earned the right to that sticker. But I don’t think every vehicle I’ve seen sporting a “Proud to be an American” sticker is being driven by a naturalized citizen. So I encourage U.S.-born drivers to take a moment to consider the difference between gratitude and pride and, perhaps, adjust their bumper stickers accordingly.
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(*Okay, I just had to look it up: Here’s a list of potentially expatriating acts.)
drupagliassotti @ March 17, 2008