I have noticed an outpouring of nationalism/patriotism since Septemeber 11th, 2001. - Wait. Let me rephrase that. I have noticed an outpouring of people purchasing patriotic products since September 11th, 2001. I trust you'll correct me if I'm wrong here.
Before 9/11/01, an insanely large majority of Americans did not give a flying piece of cow pie about their country. America was - to them - as it had always been: there. This is obvious in the way many of them treat the land they live on, and each other.
But now, some of them have opened their hearts and made a change. Wait...I mean, they have opened their wallets and gotten change. These people are truly making a difference. In buying a plastic American flag made in China to put on their foreign cars, they are changing the world. Nevermind the fact that, before the tragedy, most people would never care enough to drive with a tri-color hunk of material stuck to their window, flapping in the wind. But I'm sorry. I suppose I'm missing the point. That little flag means they are loyal to their country. How could I have missed it?
In buying a popular singer's recorded-in-five-minutes version of "I'm Proud to Be an American" - they are doing their part in fighting terrorism. Really? If they have always been so proud to be American, why haven't they shown it before?
Those with bumper stickers and T-shirts promoting the assassination of the accused perpitrator are taking direct action in assisting our government. No. They aren't. In fact, all they are doing is the same thing that has been done to us: hating what they don't know or understand.
As a whole,the only thing that any of these people are accomplishing is feeding the monster known as Capitalism, that they so often complain about. Their actions, which may have started out as good intentions, have now only turned into the results of Marketing Madness.
Times like these do tend to bring people closer together, and rightfully so. The actions of firefighters, paramedics, police officers and other heroes of New York City have been downplayed entirely too much. Those are the people that truly exemplify everything that America has stood for in the past.
However, it is my sincere belief that, by purchasing patriotic products, you aren't proving anything; other than the fact you are willing to shell out lots of money for products you will throw away in a year. Instead of buying American pride, try giving it away. Donate time, money, encouragement. I'm not only referring to that which pertains to 9/11 - I also mean in your own neighborhood and community.
America has been strong because of it's people and their actions. Not because of their purchases.
