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Pondering Patriotic Pride and Prejudice

By KRISTEN STERNBERG | NIE Educational Consultant

It's safe to say the lives of most Americans changed on September 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked our nation's centers and symbols of finance (New York City) and politics (Washington, D.C.). Even people who did not lose someone dear to them, among the thousands killed that day, were forced to come to terms with the reality that the United States was a new victim in an act of war.

While world, national and local leaders, along with parents, teachers and other adults, work to help make people feel safe again, both adults and children are struggling to deal with their emotions. Many feel scared, angry or hurt, for example. One result of these emotions is a new wave of patriotism, a feeling of loyalty toward one's country. This patriotism shows up in many different ways.

"Residents rekindle love for family, American way" reads a recent News-Journal headline. It illustrates how family members can sometimes help each other through difficult periods. One family chose to display their patriotism to others by raising an American flag together. Some, also, turn to community agencies and organizations. Check out the article, "Sept. 11 tragedy brings together area residents" to see what communities can offer.

Kids and teens all over the country have responded actively. Many took action as a positive way to deal with their feelings. Read about the letters Enterprise Elementary School fourth-graders are writing to sailors stationed overseas, in an effort to offer comfort and support to some of our nation's service men and women. At New Smyrna Beach High, too, teens are involved in patriotic efforts. Take a look at how they sculpted a ceramic flag to honor victims of the terrorist attacks. Other, local students in Newspaper in Education programs are joining with NIE students across the country to collect enough pennies to replace one of the 60 fire truck destroyed on September 11 (each truck costs several hundred thousand dollars).

Is it o.k. if you don't feel like displaying, or volunteering or creating in a patriotic way? Keeping in mind the wishes of family members, patriotism is a personal issue. Many people may be more comfortable simply respecting others' feelings rather than displaying their own. It's important to remember that everyone has a right to express feelings in his or her own way.

Former President Bill Clinton, during a speech in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, stated, "Our common humanity is more important than our interesting differences." Although demonstrating patriotism is certainly a way to show unity and include others who share common beliefs, beware of those who use their "patriotism" to exclude certain individuals or groups of people. Carried to an extreme this can become prejudice. Targeting people because they may do things differently is a dangerous practice.

Our patriotism is based on our pride in what we stand for as a nation--and the very thing that unites almost every American or U.S. resident is a shared belief in the importance of individual freedoms. These include freedom in religious and political beliefs, freedom to express one's cultural heritage and traditions and freedom to choose. The United States stands proud in recognizing individual rights, and true American patriots honor these rights as well.

Try these interesting activities using The News-Journal

1. Keep a scrapbook of patriots and other heroes you find in the newspaper. Clip articles and photos, and add comments or opinions as appropriate. Share your scrapbook with friends and family members. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.E.2.2.5)




Human expression Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the United States, citizens have banded together to show their patriotism and generosity. Above, more than 1,000 students from Timbercrest Elementary School in Deltona form a human flag as a sign of their support. (Photo: News-Journal/Peter Bauer)

2. U.S. residents who take pride in being patriotic toward America include immigrants from all or nearly all nations in the world. Why might people from other countries want to immigrate to the United States in the 21st century? Make a list of 5 or more reasons a family might wish to emigrate from their native country to be a part of America. Use your newspaper to find articles, photographs or ads that relate to each item on your list. Share your findings by making a poster you can display on a wall or bulletin board for others to see. (Sunshine State Standards: SS.A.6.2.1, SS.A.6.2.4, SS.B.1.2.5, SS.B.2.2.2, SS.B.2.2.3, SS.B.2.2.4)



3. Search your newspaper's Op-Ed pages for editorials and opinion articles about patriotism. How are the authors' emotions expressed in their writing? Write your own editorial on patriotism and share it with others or consider submitting it to your newspaper. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.1.2.3, LA.A.2.2.1, LA.A.2.2.2, LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.3, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.D.2.2.1, LA.D.2.2.3, LA.D.2.2.5)



4. Make a poster or photo montage to illustrate "America, the Land of the Free." Use your newspaper to locate ads, pictures and articles for your poster. Try to display your work in a public place, such as a library or the window of a local business. (Sunshine State Standards: LA.A.2.2.5, LA.B.2.2.1, LA.B.2.2.6, LA.E.2.2.5)



5. Brainstorm ways people from all cultures contribute to our nation's shared history, economy, culture and society. Next, search your newspaper for articles, photos and advertisements featuring people from other ethnic groups in positive situations. Clip, add photos of you and your friends from many cultural backgrounds, and display your findings on a wall or bulletin board for others to see. (Sunshine State Standards: SS.A.6.2.4, SS.A.6.2.5, SS.B.1.2.5)

A copy of Florida's Sunshine State Standards can be found at intech2000.miamisci.org.

Check out these links to learn more

The News-Journal's Newspaper in Education web site contains special activities in response to the recent terrorist attacks on the U.S. Visitors can read related articles and official documents, learn more about the diversity of our nation and the world and much more. There's even a U.S. flag to print and color! www.nieworld.com/special/reports/terrorism.htm

You'll find many more activities at Enchanted Learning's web site, where you can play games and solve puzzles about U.S. presidents and other important figures in American history. The page is filled with links to stories, games and lots of patriotic crafts you can make yourself-like flags, stars, pinwheels and even a windsock! www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/presidentsday/

Read and print out the words to the Star Spangled Banner, along with the Pledge of Allegiance and The American's Creed. Then, teach them to someone who doesn't know them yet. www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/1789/pledge.html

The legend of Paul Revere's patriotic ride is known to many, thanks in part to a poet named Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow's exciting poem brings the story of Revere's ride to life. Read it for yourself-or out loud to a teacher, friend or family member-at this Web site from the Paul Revere House. www.paulreverehouse.org/events/poem.html

Women and girls have performed, and continue to perform, important roles as American patriots. Learn who Margaret Corbin was, and why Sybil Ludington, a 16-year-old from the Revolutionary War era, is sometimes called "the female Paul Revere." www.americanrevolution.org/nguyen.html

How did the United States flag come to be known as 'Old Glory,' and what does the gold fringe on the flag symbolize? Find answers to these and other questions, take a look at another of our nation's symbols-the American Bald Eagle-and learn all about vexillology, the study of flags. www.usflag.org/toc.html

The Newspaper Association of America's web site contains links to many newspapers in the U.S. and around the world. Visit the site and check some of them out, to see if they have recently published any articles about patriotism. To access the newspapers at the site, select a state. Click on the "Internationals" button to view choices from other countries.

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