Patriotism

I question the idea of patriotism. As a public school teacher, this presents a conundrum as I am expected to lead my students in the Pledge of Allegiance periodically. Following the election results, I could not recite it with the school during our Veteran's Day assembly. I simply could not.

Frankly, I am ashamed to be an American these days. Our country has become the laughing stock of the world. We deserve to have this man as our leader. I have felt fearful and despairing throughout this election cycle, especially when I was told who had won... not that I wanted the other candidate either. She is no better, yet somehow it felt safer in my mind. Perhaps because not much would have changed whereas now, we don't know what changes are coming - the possibilities are alarming.

In my searching for acceptance of what is, I was talking with a friend who offered another perspective I hadn't considered. She said that as horrible as it is, in a way she's glad because it has brought into the open the racism, misogyny, sexism, the fear and the hate that have been simmering below the surface of our country. Now perhaps we can have conversations about it as a nation and maybe begin to deal with it. I'm rather skeptical about anything good happening, personally, but it's so often the case that things must get worse before they get better. It will be messy no matter what.

I came across this quote from our own Statue of Liberty in a blog post, too:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" - Emma Lazarus

What the hell happened?! Frankly, while there have been times in our history when the downtrodden have been helped and welcomed on our shores from turmoil in their home countries, when good has come from our struggles (ie, Women's Suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement, Feminism), there have always been major issues throughout our history. The most egregious and widespread of these, in my mind, is that of Native Americans. While I have native heritage, I did not grow up in that subculture, and I'm just beginning to find out how deeply rooted the oppression is. (How do Native Americans reconcile being an oppressed group with being American?)

So, the question still remains for me: What about patriotism? I am grateful for my life, for many aspects of this country, for those who have fought for freedom of oppressed groups. I have traveled across most of it now and enjoyed the places and people I met. I learned the traditional view of our history that is commonly taught in school. And,  I have begun to read the unvarnished accounts of events that are not found in schoolbooks. I have tried to do my part in promoting the good, to help those in my circle of influence. Yet I ambivalent. Do I hate my country? Do I love it? When I recite the pledge, what am I saying? Why do we even do it?  Do I say it just to fulfill a professional expectation? Or do I quietly abstain and get criticized by my coworkers? 

Time and introspection will provide the answers. 

A little history on the origin of the pledge: Originally written by Colonel George Balch, an officer during the Civil War, it was revised by socialist minister, Francis Bellamy, and promoted to the National Education Association to instill in our country's youth a sense of patriotism that had waned after the Civil War. It was first recited in conjunction with Columbus Day and was part of a move to sell flags to the public schools. 

I leave it to the readers to draw their own conclusions...

Thoughts on the State of Our Country

As I reel in the aftermath of this travesty of an election, I want to record my experience:

I purposely stayed offline Tuesday night. An early morning training at the high school kept me offline on Wednesday morning... really, I just didn't want to think about it any more than I had to. Listening to the presenter continue on about our latest assessment tool, I got a text and took time to read it: "Omg, Trump won." Stunned, I lost track of what the presenter was telling us. This, I did not expect, though I did not support the other candidate either. I was able to commiserate with a couple of co-workers and forced my mind back to the present. Once we were dismissed, I drove on to my small and remote school, reminding myself that I needed to be there for my students - just focus on that and make it through the day - and breathe...peace and focus, calm and ease, the present moment is all that is necessary. 

 Once  I arrived, I was able to talk with my assistant who expressed fear for herself, her children, her people, the indigenous of our land who have been overlooked and mistreated since the arrival of our country's founders. Her fear was palpable, her concerns more than valid given what has been voiced by the president elect, not only in the past year but in years prior over foiled business deals. We continued our conversation at stolen moments throughout the morning. A few children commented on the election results, but no class discussion ensued as I just could not... nor could I recite the pledge of allegiance at the afternoon's Veteran's Day assembly.  Later, when most everyone had gone home, another friend came to commiserate saying that her 11 year old son cried at the news fearing for his future. She also had a younger student in the school crying because he thinks he will be deported.

This morning, it was even harder for me to accept the reality of the state of our country - those painful emotions always take time to rise to the surface for me. I sought solace in reading thoughts from a blog I've recently begun to follow and especially liked the letter I've included at the bottom of this post.  

Tonight, I just sit. I've read one blog post reminding me to reject fear about a future that has not happened yet (thank you!) and a couple of articles offering different viewpoints and experiences. This impacts so many - all minorities (and there are many). I've also been watching a PBS series, "God in America", that offers background to where we are today. All the words are 'in the hopper' awaiting attention.

The emotions continue to ebb and flow as I am now taking time to let them. Questions come and go. What's to become of us? How will this affect us in our daily lives? What about all my tribal children? Will they be safe? Life is already hard enough for so many. My heart aches for all of us. 

Breathe... Everything changes - that is the one constant we can depend on. Care for those in my life. Accept the present as it is...

The words of a wise Jedi master come to mind tonight. Worth pondering they are:

"Fear leads to anger,

Anger leads to hate,

Hate leads to suffering."

Perhaps this is what has brought this country of my birth to its present state.

******************

"The unthinkable has come to pass and we now find ourselves living in a country led by a person many have assessed as deeply harmful. His actions will be enabled by a Republican Senate and House, and in time, conservative Supreme Court. For many of us, this is a terrifying moment, as we consider the potential destructiveness of such a government both domestically and internationally.

The 2016 election has brought out the ugliest and most painful part of the American psyche, and for now, that fearful and hateful aspect of our culture is in control. The forces of reactivity, strengthened by the pace of demographic and social change that is so hard for humans to adapt to, roar and overtake reasonable discourse. 

Although the American Dharma community is not politically homogeneous, those who take up the Buddhist path tend to envision a compassionate world based in racial equity, social justice, environmental healing, respect for women, inclusion, tolerance, and more. These values seem to be the opposite of those shortly assuming power in our government. It is hard to know, at times, how to love the haters, find tolerance for the intolerant. It tests our values of compassion to the very ends of it. But here is where we may find the potential for real practice, real spiritual challenge and depth. Though we don’t know what lies ahead for our country, let us count on these values and amplify them in our spiritual friendship with each other and our communities. 

Over the next few days, some of you may experience many of the same feelings that one feels with despair and grief. At times, numb. Other times, angry. The mind will seek out whom to blame, including oneself. Fear, anxiety, and catastrophizing may all be states of mind that immobilize and even crush the will to do even the simplest things, like eat and shower. 

Give yourself a huge amount of room to experience all of this, and take care not to get swept away by it. Know what you are feeling, and hold that with tenderness. And in the meantime, eat, go to work, carry on with your routines. It is in this time that being with friends physically, with ample of social interaction, can be soothing. Do not go online too much — it just uselessly whips up the energy and will leave you feeling drained. Go outside, get fresh air. 

And perhaps the very best way to combat the intensity of dread is to help others. Do something for someone less fortunate. Giving and caring is truly the best way to relieve anxiety. Hug the people who are distraught. Reach gently for the hand of a targeted “out-group” person — a person of color, immigrant, disabled person, person of a non-Christian religion, assaulted person — and let that person know you stand by them and will do everything you can to work toward a society that is safe, caring, and kind for all its citizens and guests. 

A historic moment like this can shake us from complacency and cause us to awaken to the interconnection of our lives with all life. This is the potential. For now, take some time to get your bearings, while keeping the longterm vision in mind. 

Rev. Sumi Loundon Kim 
Minister, Buddhist Families of Durham"