The Anthem at Symphony Hall

[sachem_head]

L. and I found ourselves in the high-backed side loge chairs of Springfield's Symphony Hall on Saturday night to hear the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's opening concert of the season. After the orchestra had tuned and Maestro Kevin Rhodes walked out onto the stage, he quickly signalled the timpanis to start a drum roll and turned to the audience

Comments

Ugly American

[volksmarchinguy]

We all see things differently. We're conditioned and we filter our perceptions in our own idiosyncratic manner

On the Other Hand

[sachem_head]

Seeing your comment, volksmarchinguy, I must admit that I'm conflicted about this. I don't like the idea of an America where the state dominates, the individual is subjugated, and everything is a test of one's patriotism. In another situation, I might be the individualist who feels he has to comment against a false or forced display of patriotism. I never liked the Pledge of Allegiance, for example. We are a nation of ideals, a nation of dissent and a nation of free thought.

I remember the story of Burns in the theater, his loyalty questioned. But the national anthem doesn't strike me in the same way. I think my resistance to false or force patriotism is based upon my understanding of what it means to be American. My sense of America is based upon the revolutionary ideas upon which the country was founded. We don't always live up to them as a country, but we must aspire. We want the country to be better and that's why we must entertain a robust debate about the future of our country.

Forced patriotism

[anonymous]

My mother was German and as a result had a fear of aggressive nationalism. She became an American citizen and fully loved the USA. We were also atheists. As a result, we were told we did not need to recite either the pledge of allegiance or the Lord's prayer at school. I completely agree with her. With this administration's current warmongering attitudes and goals, I feel it is dangerous to force, however subtly, shows of mass patriotism. I have traveled and lived world wide and am very happy to be an American. Must I publicly pledge my fealty on a regular basis? I support our troops, I believe in our Constitution, but I do not support the goals of our current administration and often feel that my participation in flag waving can be misinterpreted as such, especially by the old white men in office.

Re: Forced patriotism

[sachem_head]

Thanks for you comment. My answer is no, one should not be forced into patriotism. Perhaps I'll have a post in me at some point to talk about nationalism.