Patriotism

Definition
Patriotism involves citizens displaying devotion to their country, including
devotion to the fundamental values and principles upon which it depends (Michigan
Department of Education 1998); and includes loyalty to the values and principals of
American democracy found in documents such as the Pledge of Allegiance and Bill of
Rights (Newby).
Individual Rights are fundamental to American constitutional democracy and
refer to the belief that individuals have certain basic rights that are not created by
government but which government should protect. These rights include right to life,
liberty, economic freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. It is the purpose of government
to protect these rights, and it may not place unfair or unreasonable restraints on their
exercise. Many of these rights are enumerated in the Bill of Rights (Michigan Department
of Education 1998).
Common Good or public good requires that individual citizens have the
commitment and motivation—that they accept their obligation—to promote the welfare
of the community and to work together with other members for the greater benefit of all
(Michigan Department of Education 1998).

Historic Roots
The first person to use the words "philanthropy" and "patriotism" together was
Alexander Hamilton. Writing in the first of The Federalist papers in October of 1787,
Hamilton made the point that Americans have a collective interest in making the new
democracy succeed (Payton Papers 2000).
Included within the concept of patriotism is the concept of loyalty to the
fundamental values and principles underlying American constitutional Democracy. This
is expressed in the Declaration of Independence, Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, Bill
of Rights, Pledge of Allegiance, and the pledge taken by the U. S. Military to
Constitution (Michigan Interactive Portal for Interactive Content).
Other examples in United States history include Patrick Henry's famous speech to
rally men to the cause of Liberty, Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death. “No man thinks
more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen
who have just addressed the House. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased
at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course
others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 1775).
A recent historical event that will never be forgotten and changed lives
nationwide was the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Shortly
following these tragic events, patriotism throughout the nation soared to a high unseen
since World War II. Police officers and firefighters were recognized for the heroic efforts.
"United We Stand" and "God Bless America" became the rallying cries of both the
government and the people. American flags became popular decorations and hood
ornaments, and people said that through this tragic event America would emerge stronger
than before (Smith 2002).

Importance
American patriotism often expands to interests worldwide and the desire to see
others live as we live, enjoying the same rights. “America’s highest ideals demand that
its citizens take an interest in extending the blessings of freedom and prosperity
worldwide. Our attachment, ultimately, is not to a nation, defined as a particular
geographical place or even a particular group of homogenous persons. It is to a universal
ideal of freedom that prompts us to extend that freedom—and the blessings that
accompany it—worldwide. It is not paternalistic but instead deeply patriotic to look to the
betterment of our nation and the world. It is the greatest possible actualization of our
most deeply felt urges and our most lofty ideals” (Torres 2001, 1).
Patriotism includes the show of affection, such as reaching out to embrace others
in times of need. These acts of kindness were especially seen on September 11, 2001.
“A true patriot is someone who is willing to show love toward people, even at times when
nobody is watching” (Smith 2002, 1).
As the world and its problems and consequences become more complex, so does
our need to evaluate and reshape patriotism. We need a new patriotism that is as bold as
the nation’s founders and their vision of democracy because we are faced with the task of
reorganizing some of our most resistant systems (O’Connell 1999).

Ties to the Philanthropic Sector

Patriotism often results in the giving of individual’s time and money. In the
United States, we share an inherited tradition of voluntary service and giving. Although
philanthropy is universal and appears in all societies, the United States probably relies
more extensively on voluntary associations to perform public business done than any
society in the history of the world. More than half of all Americans 18 and over volunteer
an average of 2.5 hours a week—that's almost a hundred million people donating services
equivalent to four million full-time jobs. Americans are also generous with their money
with an estimated $125 billion last year donated to charitable causes. All of this voluntary
service and giving flows through 983,000 tax-exempt associations (Payton Papers 2000).
Philanthropy continues to permeate American life, helping to shape the American
character and rivaling the Constitution itself as our most distinctive virtue. Philanthropy
is not just another aspect of popular culture such as entertainment, but how we act
voluntarily to relieve suffering and to improve the quality of life. This is done not as a
requirement by the government or because we receive any tangible reward. In the former
Soviet Union, voluntary associations had no standing or were illegal and underground. In
the United States, voluntary organizations are visible, often quite audible, and can't be
ignored (Payton Papers 2000).

Key Related Ideas

American Exceptionalism reflects the thought that America is a true experiment,
the only nation in the world to be based on a proposition about man, man’s purpose in
life, and how those notions should order the functioning of the state. This fact makes
America a nation that demands moral reflection by its citizens (Torres 2001).
Core Democratic Values are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles
of American society which unite all Americans. These values are expressed in the
Declaration of Independence, the United States constitution and other significant
documents, speeches, and writing of the nation (Civitas 1991).
The New Patriotism refers to the aftermath of September 11, 2001 that placed the
United States at war with Iraq and escalated the fight of terrorism around the world.
While U.S. troops took up arms, American civilians showed their national pride.
Patriotism became popular again with an increase in activities such as flying the flag,
singing the national anthem, and pledging allegiance to the flag. Not only were everyday
Americans practicing patriotism, but celebrities, advertisers, and major U.S. retailers
expressed patriotism in their own way. Patriotism was now being used to sell everything
from CD’s to soda to fast food to clothing (Public Broadcast System 2003).

Important People Related to the Topic

1. Patrick Henry (1736-1799): Henry is a symbol of America's struggle for liberty
and self-government. He was a lawyer, patriot, orator, and willing participant in
virtually every aspect of the founding of America. He delivered the famous quote
"Give me liberty or give me death!" (Henry 1775).
2. Emma Lazarus (1849-1847): Lazarus is best known for her sonnet, “The New
Colossus” (1883). Inscribed in a room in the base of the Statue of Liberty in New
 York reads “Give me your tired, your poor / your huddled masses yearning to
breathe free” (Biography on A&E).
3. Paul Revere (1737-1881): Revere was the folk hero of the American Revolution
whose dramatic horseback ride on the night of April 18, 1775 warning Boston-
area residents that the British were coming, was immortalized in a ballad by
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution 2002).
4. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968): King, Jr. was a prime mover of the
Montgomery bus boycott, keynote speaker at the March on Washington, and
youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate. However, in retrospect, single events are
less important than the fact that King and his policy of nonviolent protest, was the
dominant force in the civil rights movement during its decade of greatest
achievement from 1957 to 1968 (The Seattle Times).

Related Nonprofit Organizations

American Red Cross: In 1905, the U.S. Congress granted a charter to the
American Red Cross that required it to act "in accord with the military authorities as a
medium of communication between the people of the United States and their armed
forces." Since then, the Red Cross has provided communications and other humanitarian
services to help members of the U.S. military and their families around the world. Living
and working in the same difficult situations and dangerous environment as U.S. troops,
Red Cross has given comfort to soldiers thousands of miles from home by providing
emergency messages, comfort kits and blank cards for troops to send home to loved ones
(http://www.redcross.org).
Bill of Rights Institute: The Institute works to educate high school students and
teachers about the founding principles of America. Program focus on the words and
ideas of the founders; the liberties and freedoms guaranteed in founding documents; and
how America’s founding principles affect and shape a free society
(http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org).
National Constitution Center: The Center works to increase public understanding
of and appreciation for the Constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance. The
Center is located within Independence National Historical Park. The facility is
interactive and interpretive (http://www.constitutioncenter.org).

Related Web Sites

 National Archives and Records Administration Web site, at
http://www.archives.gov, offers “The National Archives Experience” with the
Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, Bill of Rights, Impact of
the Charters, and much more.
September 11 Digital Archive Web site, at http://www.911digitalarchive.org,
offers stories, email, still images, moving images, audio and documents relating to 9/11.

VolunteerMatch Web site, at www.volunteermatch.org, provides a free service for both

organizations and volunteers to post and find positions by city, state, zip code and
keyword.

Bibliography and Internet Sources

Biography on A&E. Emma Lazarus.

Civitas A Framework for Civic Education the Center for Civic Education and the
Council for the Advancement of Citizenship, National Council for the Social Studies
Bulletin. “Core Values of American Constitutional Democracy.” 1991.
http://www.civiced.org/index.php?page=civitas_executive_summary
Colonial Williamsburg. Patrick Henry.
http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/Almanack/people/bios/biohen.cfm.
Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Paul Revere. 2002.
http://www.ctssar.org/patriots/paul_revere.htm.
Henry, Patrick. Liberty or Death. Historic Documents of the United States of
America. 23 March 1775. http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html.
O’Connell Brian. “Civil Society; the Underpinning of American Democracy.”
University Press of New England. Hanover, NH. 1999.
Payton Papers. “Philanthropy and Patiotism.” 2000.
http://www.paytonpapers.org/output/ESS0043_1.shtm.
Seattle Times. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/mlk/king/photogallery.html.
Smith, George. “The Importance of Patriotism”. Omnibusonline. October 2002.
Torres, Justin. “High Noon for Patriotism: Will philanthropy answer the call?”
Philanthropy Magazine. October 2001. http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/